Downtown Newport ordered to evacuate, State of Emergency declared for Cocke County

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated to reflect the correct name of the dam.

NEWPORT, Tenn. (WATE) — Cocke County Mayor Rob Mathis is urging people to “relocate immediately” if they are near water and to not drive into water. He has officially declared a State of Emergency for Cocke County.

At 2:56 p.m., Mathis said that the Waterville Dam, also known as Walters Dam, suffered a catastrophic failure and ordered all of downtown Newport to evacuate. The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency shared that they were informed that “the dam has not failed, per Duke Energy” at 4:41 p.m.

“Evacuations are still occurring in the area. Please follow local official guidance if you live in the region,” wrote TEMA.

Please do not call central dispatch or E-911 unless experiencing an emergency. We are aware of road conditions and are actively working to place signage in affected areas. Road conditions are impassable at this time. Please shelter in place or go to a family or friends home. If you are displaced, please go to either of our emergency shelters located at the Newport Community Center at 426 Cosby Highway Newport TN, or Liberty Church of Cosby at 3541 Cosby Highway Cosby TN.

Alert from Cocke County TN EMA

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed Executive Order 105 to provide critical relief to victims of severe weather and flooding in Tennessee. He added that the state is requesting a Major Disaster Declaration from FEMA to provide impacted counties with additional relief and resources.

At 10:40 a.m., the Cocke County Emergency Management Agency shared that evacuations are expected for those affected by flooding along the Pigeon and French Broad Rivers. At 12:45 p.m., Mathis said both are still expected to rise at least four to five more feet.

The EMA is encouraging people to stay with friends and family, however, the Newport Community Center on 433 Prospect Avenue in Newport is open for those who do not have a place to stay. Mathis added that Liberty Church in Cosby across from Carvers Orchard is also available for those evacuating.

Due to potential river flooding, Jefferson Cocke County Utility District asked its propane customers to evacuate if able to do so safely and turn off propane tanks before leaving around 3:30 p.m. on Thursday.

Early Friday morning, the EMA shared that water on all three rivers had quickly risen in speed and levels since early Thursday afternoon. The Cocke County Sheriff’s Office shared that several roads and bridges were covered with water.

In Carter County, people in Roan Mountain are being evacuated Friday morning as flooding occurs across the region.

As the remnants of Helene move through the area, heavy rain and strong, potentially damaging winds are expected . To see current weather alerts, click here . Road conditions are continuing to deteriorate as the storms continue moving into our area, to find closures click here .

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