Storms rolling through East Tennessee on Wednesday are finally cracking the heat, but the cool-down comes with a catch. Forecasters slapped a First Alert Weather Day on the region as scattered, intense downpours move in, with particular concern where storms "train" over the same neighborhoods and quickly dump a lot of rain.
Flood Watch In Effect
The National Weather Service in Morristown has a Flood Watch in place across much of East Tennessee through this evening, warning that "excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations." As outlined by the National Weather Service in Morristown, the biggest concern is repeated rounds of heavy rain targeting the same spots.
What To Expect Wednesday
WVLT reports the Flood Watch is in effect until 8 PM Wednesday for most of East Tennessee and southeast Kentucky. The station notes that isolated showers or a few storms are possible tonight, with overnight lows dipping into the mid-70s. WVLT says Wednesday's First Alert Weather Day will likely feature pockets of sunshine between downpours, and that areas south of I-40 are expected to miss the heaviest rain.
Where Heavy Rain Might Hit
Broadcasters across the region point out that the setup favors short-lived but intense downpours that can trigger rapid runoff and urban flooding in spots with poor drainage and along small streams. WYMT observed that some locations earlier in the week already picked up more than 2 inches of rain, and warned that training storms remain the main concern for flash flooding.
How To Stay Safe
Officials are urging residents to stay plugged in to local alerts, move vehicles off low-lying streets when possible, and avoid driving through standing water. The rule of thumb still applies: "Turn Around, Don't Drown." For basic preparedness tips and more guidance on flooding, see the National Weather Service.
