Residents along the Pigeon River are being warned to maintain a safe distance from the water's edge due to a reported surge of debris and heavy equipment following a flooding incident. The Cocke County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) has issued an alert after construction materials from the vicinity of Waterville Road were taken downstream by the swelling of the river, as reported by WVLT. Particular attention was drawn to seven industrial pumps, each comparable in size to a Volkswagen Beetle, which were part of the construction efforts at the Walters Hydro Station near the Tennessee/North Carolina state line.
EMA Director Joe Esway confirmed the loss of equipment during a meeting with construction crews on Waterville Road. The EMA has deployed swift water rescue operators to strategically monitor the river, particularly around the bridges from Waterville Road to Newport. These precautious measures are in response to fears of equipment possibly posing a hazard as they are to swiftly travel down the Pigeon River. In addition, Esway urged locals to avoid the areas around Trail Hollow Road and the Lindsey Gap bridge, citing the closure of these routes due to water reaching over the roadways, as stated by WBIR.
The recent flooding situation escalated due to intense rainfall across East Tennessee, causing the river to rise and the Walters Hydroelectric Plant to release water as a part of its flood control procedure. The emergency was not solely limited to the loss of construction materials, as large timbers and general construction materials were also identified as missing and are likely to be carried downstream.
Localized flooding is further anticipated to impact the Newport area throughout the night and following day. Joe Esway from the Cocke County EMA highlighted this concern, stating, "Everyone down river from Waterville Road (the Power Plant) should move a safe distance from the waters edge on the Pigeon River!!" as per a report by WATE. Community members are urged to keep abreast of updates and exercise caution as flood responses continue.
