Storm, flood warnings throughout region; scattered power outages reported

Sunday, May 19, 2013

photo Jessica and Jason Stapp walk beneath an umbrella as they cross Oak Street during afternoon thunderstorms Sunday in Chattanooga. Thunderstorm and flood warnings were issued for the tri-state region and authorities reported flash floods and scattered power outages Sunday evening.

This afternoon's storms have downed trees and flooded streets and roads throughout the tri-state region but no severe damage had been reported as of 4 p.m.

Danna Bailey with EBP said reports of power outages have come in from about 40 areas representing about 200 homes and businesses.

"In the scheme of 170,000 (customers) it's quite small, but it's widespread. There are little outages here and there all over the service territory," she said.

Flood advisories were in effect for Hamilton and Bradley counties until 4:30 p.m. today, the National Weather Service reported.

The weather service said up to 2 inches of rain fell in an hour near Harrison and McDonald early this afternoon and the same amount was still to come.

Amy Maxwell with Hamilton County Emergency Services said flash flooding was reported near Sale Creek and some trees were down at a Sale Creek campground, but she'd heard of no major problems.

The National Weather Service and local dispatchers have provided details on the storms' effects in the following counties. All times reported are for the Eastern Time Zone:

Bledsoe County

Flash flood warnings are in effect until 5:30 p.m.

Some areas have received about 10 inches of rain in the last 24 hours. Those areas could receive another 2 or 3 inches of rain by about 6 p.m.

People living in trailers in the northern part of the county on U.S. Highway 127 have been evacuated.

Some trailers in the area have already washed away.

Road closures reported throughout the county

Bradley County

Flash floods in low-lying areas of Cleveland at midafternoon but the waters since have receded.

Catoosa County

Flash flood warning in effect until 9:15 p.m.

No damage or road closures have been reported at this time.

Chattooga County

Flood warning in effect until 11:30 p.m.

West Halls Valley Road and Stoleman Road are closed

Water has receeded a bit in the north but is building up in the south

About 20 roads in the county have between 6-8 inches of water. Some of those roads are closed.

Cumberland County

Flash flood warnings until 7 p.m.

Countywide road closures

Water has inundated two houses in Crossville

Dade County

Flash flood warnings until 9:15 p.m.

Gordon County

Flood warnings until 11:30 p.m.

About 10 roads are closed

Flooding mostly in the southwest part of the county

Marion County

Reports of severe thunderstorms, lasting until 5:15 p.m.

Hail the size of quarters falling

Winds faster than 60 mph

Murray County

Flooding in southern part of the county. Flooding on State route 225.

Hamilton County

Flash flooding was reported near Sale Creek and some trees were down at a Sale Creek campground.

Walker County

Flood warning until 11:30 p.m.

Flash flood warnings in the north, central part of the county until 9:15 p.m.

Reports of flooding in the southern part of the county

Whitfield County

Flash flood warnings until 7:30 p.m.

Flooding reported on north and south parts of the county

Several road closures

Stay with the Times Free Press for updates as they develop.