A strong thunderstorm tracked across parts of Cocke and Jefferson counties early Sunday, serious enough that the Cocke County Sheriff's Office posted a bold "WEATHER ALERT" warning residents to take precautions. The advisory flagged gusty winds, pea-sized hail and the potential for downed limbs and minor vegetation damage.
Storm Details And Areas At Risk
Doppler radar showed the thunderstorm near Dandridge and White Pine moving east at roughly 20 mph, with wind gusts near 40 mph and small hail possible, according to National Weather Service Morristown TN. The office's alerts and local advisories list Morristown, Dandridge, White Pine, Baneberry, Parrottsville, Bybee, Lowland, and Mohawk among the towns in the storm's path, and forecasters cautioned that gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.
The Cocke County Sheriff's Office shared the advisory on its Facebook page early Sunday, urging people to secure patio furniture, bring pets indoors and seek shelter while the storm passed. The post was published at 04:10:20 UTC on July 12, 2026, according to the Cocke County Sheriff's Office Facebook post.
Flood Watch And Flash Flood Warnings
In addition to the strong-storm alert, the NWS in Morristown had Flood Watches and Flash Flood Warnings in effect for parts of east Tennessee as heavy rain moved through, warning of localized flash flooding and minor ponding in low-lying areas. For official watches and warnings, see the National Weather Service Morristown TN.
How To Stay Safe
If you are outdoors, take shelter in a sturdy building and avoid standing under trees or next to unsecured structures during gusty winds. Do not drive through flooded roadways. Remember "Turn Around, Don't Drown" and follow flood-safety guidance from Ready.gov.
For the latest local updates, monitor the Cocke County Sheriff's Office Facebook page and NWS Morristown's warnings, and report flooding or downed power lines to local authorities. Local radio and NOAA Weather Radio will carry emergency messages if conditions worsen.
