East Fork Poplar Creek is flooded near South Illinois Avenue as heavy rain falls continuously on Tuesday morning, Feb. 12, 2019. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
Heavy, continuous rain on Tuesday caused flooding on roadways and high waters in creeks.
Coal Yard Road in east Oak Ridge is closed due to flooding, the City of Oak Ridge said.
Water pooled on other roads was causing large puddles, and some drivers were driving around that water.
The Oak Ridge Public Works Department encouraged drivers to slow down and watch for water as minor flooding was reported in Oak Ridge.
“Heavy, continuous rain has created hazardous driving conditions,” the City of Oak Ridge said.
The National Weather Service in Morristown said there is a 100 percent chance of showers this afternoon (Tuesday afternoon, February 12), and a flash flood watch is in effect. The flash flood watch is in effect until 7 p.m.
The NWS said a cold front accompanied by widespread rain showers and isolated thunderstorms will affect the area on Tuesday. Rainfall of one to two inches is anticipated across the watch area, forecasters said.
“Saturated ground combined with additional rainfall may produce localized flooding problems today,” the National Weather Service said.
People in the watch area should be aware of the possibility of heavy rainfall, forecasters said.
“Avoid low-lying areas and flooded roadways,” the NWS said. “River flooding is also possible. Remember, turn around. Don’t drown!”
The chance of rain drops to 30 percent tonight, and sunny weather is expected Wednesday, the National Weather Service said.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
Normally you can jump or hop across this small creek at the Oak Ridge Civic Center. But it is flooded as heavy rain falls continuously on Tuesday morning, Feb. 12, 2019. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
East Fork Poplar Creek has risen almost to this Oak Ridge Turnpike bridge near Jefferson Avenue as heavy rain falls continuously on Tuesday morning, Feb. 12, 2019. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
A vehicle drives through flood water pooled at the intersection of Lafayette Drive and Laboratory Road as heavy rain falls continuously on Tuesday morning, Feb. 12, 2019. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
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