EMA director, Kingsport police stress caution on flooded roads

KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) — Heavy rains and the impending effects of Hurricane Helene have caused several major waterways in the Tri-Cities to swell. Among those is the South Holston River, which is a cause for concern for local emergency responders.

Sullivan County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director Jim Bean warned drivers to avoid flooded roadways as the region braces for the severe weather.

“The water may be a little bit higher than it was the last time it flooded, or maybe something has caused the water to be higher or even to the point of you don’t know if the road has degraded underneath, and that’s where the extra flooding is coming from,” Bean said. “And suddenly you hit a larger hole that you’re not expecting. It doesn’t take as much water as one would think to float a passenger vehicle.”

Bean asked that anyone driving take it slow and turn around if they come across submerged roads.

“Automatically think, ‘What’s my alternate route?'” Bean suggested. “Definitely understanding if there’s water across the road, you can’t see through the water. It’s not that clear. You don’t know what’s under the road, what’s caused that. So just do not drive through the flooded areas and go another route.”

In Kingsport, several roads have already closed to drivers, including Fort Robinson Drive, Industry Drive and Cleek Road.

The Kingsport Police Department (KPD) told News Channel 11 that officers’ biggest issue during flooding events is speeding drivers.

“We can see an increase in traffic accidents that can be contributing factors to things like rain or slick roads and things,” KPD Lieutenant Justin McConnell said. “So we would just encourage all motorists whenever they do have to travel in inclement weather like that to slow down and give themselves extra time and be sure they’re increasing those following distances with other cars.”

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