High water reported, part of Airport Road closed as more rain expected

 

OLIVER SPRINGS—High water was reported in parts of Anderson County and a short section of Airport Road on the east side of Oliver Springs was closed as rain continued to fall Saturday night.

More than two inches of rain was expected in the area between Saturday afternoon and Sunday night, according to the National Weather Service in Morristown.

“Please use caution while traveling and allow extra time,” the National Weather Service said. “Remember, never drive through a flooded roadway. Turn around, don’t drown!”

There were reports that a vehicle had driven into the water flowing over Airport Road, but there were no immediate reports of injuries and it wasn’t clear if a rescue had been required. Airport Road floods regularly during heavy rains, and people sometimes try to drive through it and then get stuck.

High water was also reported on nearby Smith Road in Anderson County, and flood water could be seen close to roads or at higher-than-normal levels in Oak Ridge, Marlow, and Oliver Springs, including near East Tri County Boulevard.

A flood warning is in effect in Oak Ridge from 10:52 p.m. Saturday, February 10, to 4:45 a.m. Sunday, February 11. A flood watch is in effect until 7 p.m. Sunday.

The chance of precipitation Saturday night is 100 percent, with between 0.5 and 0.75 inch of rain possible, the National Weather Service said. The chance of precipitation on Sunday is 90 percent, with another 0.25 and 0.5 inch of rain possible.

The chance of rain drops to 40 percent on Sunday night, but there continues to be a chance of showers at least through Wednesday, according to the seven-day forecast for Oak Ridge.