Note: This story was updated at 1:05 p.m.
Airport Road and Midway Drive in Oliver Springs have closed due to flooding, and weather forecasters have issued a flash flood watch for the area.
Airport Road, which is on the east side of Oliver Springs, frequently floods during heavy, prolonged rains, and drivers sometimes get stuck there when they try to drive through the water, which can be high and moving fast.
A flash flood watch is in effect until 1 p.m. Friday in Oak Ridge, Clinton, and Knoxville, and Anderson, Morgan and Roane counties, among other communities, according to the National Weather Service in Morristown. Heavy rain continues today (Friday, December 28), with flooding possible, forecasters said.
Another road that can flood in the area during prolonged, heavy rains, and where vehicles sometimes get stuck, is Irwin Mill Road in Anderson County. The road is northeast of Clinton and close to North Charles G. Seivers Boulevard (State Route 61). It wasn’t clear Friday morning if that road has been closed, although, like Airport Road, it is often closed during heavy, prolonged rains.
The National Weather Service reported that the amount of rain was high for this time of year in the Tennessee Valley and Southern Appalachians.
“Additional rains will be spreading across the region, with moderate to heavy rainfall expected this morning, then tapering off this afternoon west to east,” the NWS said. “With grounds already saturated, the heavy rains may produce flash flooding and river flooding.”
The National Weather Service advised residents to be aware of the possibility of heavy rainfall and to avoid low lying areas and flooded roadways. River flooding is also possible.
“Remember, turn around!” the Weather Service said. “Don’t drown!”
WBIR-TV in Knoxville reported that a family of three got stuck in a car in high water on Friday morning in Knox County. The family was able to get out of the car, and there were no injuries, WBIR said.
See the Oak Ridge forecast by the National Weather Service here.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
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