Knoxville and Knox County road closures as Hurricane Helene brings dangerous floods and wind

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Knoxville and Knox County road closures as Hurricane Helene brings dangerous floods and wind

The outer bands of Hurricane Helene are creating a soggy mess in East Tennessee. Conditions are dangerous.

As the rain continues to fall on already-soaked ground, flooding and fallen trees are forcing road closures. Crews are cleaning up trees and power lines.

Knox County clears trees from roads, but some are still blocked

The good news is no city of Knoxville roads are closed for flooding, but some may temporarily be blocked by downed trees:

TREES DOWN:

616 Dutch Valley

505 Woodlawn

1810 Howard

2843 Woodbine

Cecil/London

West Ford Valley/Linford

1719 Louisiana

5515 Holston

2009 Dutchvalley

Alta Vista/Noelton

Norris Freeway/Pedigo

Clement/Jim Wolfe

6701 Washington Pike

E Hendron Chapel/Kimberlain Heights

7729 Gill

Pellissippi/Horseshoe Bend

5172 Wise Springs

8310 Asheville Highway

South Northshore/Whittington Creek

POWER LINES DOWN:

TRAFFIC LIGHT OUT:

Strawberry Plains/East Gov. John Sevier

7304 Kingston Pike

Middlebrook/Liberty

Majestic Grove/Chapman Hwy

Asheville Hwy/E Gov. John Sevier

Crews worked overnight and through the day to clear trees on many other roads, including: Canton Hollow, Mutton Hollow Pellissippi Parkway, Huckleberry Springs/Flint Gap, Campbell Station Road, Northshore Avenue at Westland Boulevard, Porterfield Gap, Martin MIll Pike, Oak Avenue and many more.

If a tree is blocking a road near you, here’s who to call: Knoxville nonemergency number is 865-215-4010 and the Knox County nonemergency number is 865-215-2444.

Hurricane Helene updates: We’ve had days of rain, and now the danger moves into Knoxville from Helene

Interstate is impassible between Tennessee and North Carolina

Interstate 40 is impassable between Tennessee and Asheville, North Carolina, and beyond, because of catastrophic floods from the remnants of Hurricane Helene.

A mudslide and flooding have shut down the route.

Many highway closures were listed by

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, though North Carolina Department of Transportation officials have told drivers all Western Carolina roads are essentially shut down.

Sevier County impacted roads

Several roads are still opened, but impacted by fallen trees and powerlines.

529 Glades Road – one lane open

1155 Ski Mountain Road – one lane open

Dollywood Lane/McMakin Way – one lane open

Porter Field/West Union Valley side – impassable

Summit Trails Drive/Bluff Mountain Road – impassible

Jaywell Road/Trail Way – impassable

Blackberry Ride Way/Cherry Blossom Way – impassable

Alpine Drive/Lin Creek Drive – passable

3046 Katy Hollar Road – impassable

Knox County Schools closed: Classes and football canceled due to flooding and dangerous winds

Great Smoky Mountains road closures

Highway 411

Cades Cove Loop

Greebriar

Parson Branch

Big Creek

Sparks Lane

RIch Mountain

Forge Creek

Upper Treemont

Heintooga

Straight Fork

Balsam Mountain

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Live storm tracker: See Helene’s path

Events canceled because of bad weather

The Blount Partnership has canceled the Townsend Fall Heritage and Bluegrass Festival scheduled for Sept. 27-28 at the Townsend Events Center, according to a Blount Partnership news release.

The Knox County Parents as Teachers’ 7th annual Roll and Read event will be closed due to inclement weather, according to a health department news release. The event is rescheduled for 10 a.m.-noon Oct. 4 at Safety City, 165 S. Concord St.

Stay safe when driving in rainy weather

AAA offers these tips for keeping safe while driving through rain and flooded areas:

Try to avoid driving while storms are passing through.

Slow down; tires can lose traction at speeds as low as 35 miles per hour.

Turn on your *********** to help other drivers see you, as well as helping you see ahead.

Slowing down on wet pavement takes more time, so increase the distance you leave between your car and those ahead of you.

Do not use cruise control because it increases the chances of losing control of your vehicle.

Drive in the tracks of vehicles in front of you and do not accelerate through puddles.

Never drive through standing water, water can be deeper than you expect, or contain concealed objects like downed powerlines.

Do not drive with hazard lights on in low visibility because it can confuse other drivers.

Pull off the road to a safe place if necessary in low visibility. If driving on the interstate do not stop on the shoulder or under bridges, where it’s ******* for you to be seen.

This story will be updated.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel:

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