Evacuations ordered, shelters established in Northeast Tennessee & Southwest Virginia

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) — The effects of Hurricane Helene have struck all parts of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. Flooding has occurred throughout the region, leading to evacuations and the activation of shelters.

Below, community members can find updates on open shelters, curfews and/or active evacuations in the region.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation posted an updated road closure map at 9:15 p.m. that can be viewed here .

Greene County

The Tennessee Valley of Authority has issued a Condition Yellow for the Nolichucky Dam in Greene County, Tenn., according to a social media post . A Condition Yellow indicates that the dam is approaching its threshold to withstand excessive floodwaters.

Mayor Kevin Morrison and Sheriff Wesley Holt informed the community of a countywide curfew from 9 p.m. Friday to 9 a.m. Saturday due to downed trees and 3 bridges in the community being impassable due to rising waters.

The Highway 107 bridge is being monitored and may be closing at some point for safety reasons, according to EMA officials. Bridges already closed include Birds, Chuckey Pike and Buckingham bridges.

Greene County EMA Director Heather Sipe said a shelter has been opened at Asbury United Methodist Church at 201 South Main Street. Sipe said people should park and enter at the back of the church. All residents are encouraged to bring personal items and medications to the shelter. The church is working to get drinking water.

Roan Mountain

Roan Mountain was evacuated Friday morning , and several other parts of Carter County were devastated by flooding, like Hampton High School.

The American Red Cross has opened a shelter for those seeking refuge at Cloudland High School, 476 Cloudland Drive, in Roan Mountain.

Elizabethton/Carter County

The Elizabethton Carter/Carter County Emergency Management Agency announced that Elizabethton High School, Hampton Elementary, Cloudland High, Unaka High and Happy Valley High are all available for shelters and any county fire station.

A shower trailer will be available at the TLC Community Center beginning Saturday afternoon. There will also be food, clothing and hygiene products at the National Guard in Stoney Creek at 145 Judge Don Lewis Blvd.

The Elizabethton Park and Recreation Center on Mill Street will accept donations at 8 a.m. on Saturday. The center requests bottled water, canned food, new clothing, footwear and socks, baby formula and diapers. Please do not donate used items.

Washington County, Tenn.

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) issued a report at 1:16 p.m. that confirmed Washington County officials had also ordered evacuations in Embreeville.

The Washington County/Johnson City EMA issued an advisory at 3:20 p.m. asking all residents to only respond to instructions from official agencies.

“Rescue efforts can be impeded by Good Samaritans who, with the best of intentions, are responding to social media posts for help,” the EMA stated. “Moreover, these well-meaning neighbors may be placing themselves in harm’s way. Please direct any emergency needs to 911, to ensure they are handled safely by professionals.”

South Central Elementary School at 2955 TN-107, Chuckey, TN, has opened a shelter.

Hawkins County

In Hawkins County, residents have been advised to shelter in place, according to TEMA.

Lynn Campbell, Hawkins County 911 Executive Director, said, “In response to the devastating weather events caused by Hurricane Helene, which impacted Carter County throughout the day, Hawkins County 911 has deployed two telecommunicators as part of the Telecommunicator Emergency Response Taskforce (TERT). At the request of the Tennessee TERT state coordinator, our team was dispatched to Carter County 911 at approximately 5:00 PM today.”

Unicoi Co./Erwin

Interstate 26 in Unicoi County has been closed due to flooding as the Nolichucky River continues to rise at a rapid speed.

Ballad Health confirmed Friday afternoon that more than 50 people were rescued on the roof of the Unicoi County Hospital by helicopter.

Smyth County/Marion

The Smyth County Health Department and Red Cross opened two emergency shelters , Marion Senior High and Brookside Baptist Church in Sugar Grove.

Johnson Co./Mountain City

Johnson County’s shelter is open at First Christian Church of Mountain City, 401 W. Main Street, after the mayor declared a state of emergency .

An emergency shelter has been established at First Christian Church of Mountain City, 401 W Main Street.

Washington County, VA

The Washington County, Virginia’s Emergency Declaration has issued a curfew for the Town of Damascus beginning at 10 p.m. on Friday. A release from the county said the curfew will be reevaluated on Saturday.

Washington County Sheriff Blake Andis said, “A curfew following today’s devastating flood in Damascus is an appropriate step.”

The county has a shelter at Highlands Fellowship Church, 134 Commerce Court, Bristol, Virginia, off exit 7.

The Jonesborough Community Chest said in a social media post that it would

Second Harvest of Northeast Tennessee is handing out food and water to eight county shelters and emergency management crews .

U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn issued the following statement to Tennesseans:

“All Tennesseans impacted by flash flooding and severe weather should follow local guidance and evacuation protocols carefully. We are working with local officials to ensure public safety, and I encourage every Tennessean to avoid dangerous areas and heed the direction of emergency personnel if traveling. We stand ready to assist and help secure any federal assistance that may be necessary.”

U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)

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