TELLICO PLAINS, Tenn. (WATE) — Severe storms overnight into Tuesday morning have impacted towns in Monroe County with dispatch confirming flooded roadways, mudslides and downed trees.
Visit Monroe announced Tuesday that the Cherohala Skyway Visitor Center would be closed due to severe storms and flooding impacts in the area.
“The Tellico Plains area and the Cherohala Skyway are currently suffering from intense flooding,” Visit Monroe stated in a social media post. “Please do not travel to these areas due to safety concerns.”
Monroe County Schools said Tuesday morning that Bus Routes 22, 23, and 27 would not run; however, all other buses were running on-time.
“Students in the Tellico (Plains) area where roads are impacted by flooding should use extreme caution and stay home if roads are potential hazardous,” Monroe County Schools stated in its social media post shared at 6:51 a.m. Tuesday. “We apologize for the inconvenience, but due to late notification of storm impact on Tellico area, we realize that some buses may not be able to reach certain areas and some families may live where roads are closed or impassable. Students will not be penalized if they are unable to safely get to school today.”
Tennessee Department of Transportation spokesperson Mark Nagi initially posted at 5:44 a.m. that SR 165 in Monroe County is closed due to flooding near SR 360. Later, Nagi shared photos from the scene on Cherohala Skyway, where part of the road appeared to have washed out:
According to Monroe County dispatch, the following roads were flooded as of 5 a.m.:
- Reagan Valley Road in Madisonville and Tellico Plains
- JD Farm Road
- Kadull Road
- Parts of New Highway 68
- Old State Road
- Shoal Creek Road
Tellico Plains is also said to have widespread flooding, including parts of the Cherohala Skyway.
The Town of Tellico Plains shared on its social media early Tuesday that “due to flooding in town tonight, we will not have water for a while. Pumps have been under water and we’re having to access the damage and locate parts.”
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According to the WATE 6 Storm Team, several Flash Flood Warnings were in effect early Tuesday with flooding remaining an issue, especially in Monroe County.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated.
