Storms this past week – on Tuesday and another over the weekend – tore limbs from trees, knocked out utilities, caused flooding and more in Cherokee and surrounding counties.
"On Tuesday, July 28, Cherokee County experienced a severe weather event which began with Severe Thunderstorm Warnings issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) in Morristown, Tennessee shortly after 4 p.m. and again just before 8 p.m.," said Bobby Barton, Public Information Officer for Cherokee County Emergency Management. "Shortly after 8 p.m., the NWS issued a Tornado Warning for Cherokee County to last until 8:45 and a second Tornado Warning was issued for the county minutes later to last until 9 p.m."
(Damage to residences or other buildings caused by the storms on Tuesday may be reported to Cherokee County Emergency Management by calling the office at 828-837-3950 or the non-emergency number for the Cherokee County 911 Communication Center at 828-835-3144. If you are experiencing an emergency situation, Please call 9-1-1.)
Ahead of the storm, the National Weather Service was keeping watch.
"Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area," the National Weather Service warned on Sept. 28. "Between 2 and 4 inches of rain had already fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches were possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing flash flooding. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.
"Some locations that will experience flash flooding included Ducktown, Turtletown, William L. Davenport Refuge, Copperhill and Hot House.
As the result of storms that impacted the area, Cherokee County Emergency Management (CCEM) received six calls regarding structures which had been damaged, mainly around Peachtree but one near Andrews. The American Red Cross was requested Tuesday evening for sheltering assistance for residents of a home which received significant damage. On Wednesday, damage assessments were completed by emergency management personnel and the county fire marshal on each structure which was reported as damaged. On Thursday, CCEM personnel assisted Graham County Emergency Management with drone support for some of their damage assessments.
The Director of the Cherokee County E-911 Communications Center reported that during a two-and-a-half-hour period on Tuesday evening, the Telecommunicators on duty during the severe weather event processed 103 calls into the 911 Center. As of Friday morning, the 911 Center had received reports of:
- 4 vehicles being struck by trees;
- 28 incidents of downed power lines;
- 27 incidents of downed trees; and
- 1 Landslide
Swiftwater rescue by Peachtree Rescue
Getting a little out of order here, but at approximately 2:50 a.m. Sunday, following waves of torrential rain, the Peachtree Fire Department was requested by the Hiwassee Dam Fire Department to respond as part of a regional mutual aid response to a significant flooding incident affecting the McCaysville, Ga., and Polk County, Tenn., area. The incident required the deployment of trained swift water rescue personnel and rescue boats to assist residents impacted by rapidly rising floodwaters.
At approximately 3:20 a.m., a four-member crew from the Peachtree Fire Department, along with rescue boats, arrived in the McCaysville area and immediately began rescue operations.
Working alongside other responding agencies, Peachtree crews deployed rescue boats into low-lying communities throughout Polk County, Tenn., where floodwaters had stranded residents in their homes. Firefighters safely rescued and ferried residents who were unaware of the rapidly rising water to higher ground and safe locations. After several hours of rescue operations, the Peachtree Fire Department crew was released from the incident at approximately 7:30 a.m. and returned safely to the department.
No injuries were reported involving Peachtree Fire Department personnel.
"The Peachtree Fire Department is proud to assist our neighboring communities whenever called upon," the department announced in a news release. "We appreciate the professionalism and teamwork demonstrated by all agencies involved in this regional emergency response and are grateful for the opportunity to serve those in need during this flooding event. Our thoughts remain with the residents and communities affected by the flooding as recovery efforts continue."
Sheriff's Office assists in cleanup
Back to the July 28 storm, several areas of the county suffered extensive damage, including Andrews, Marble, and Peachtree, according to the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office. "Many homes and vehicles were damaged with some people unable to leave their driveways due to downed trees and powerlines. This morning (a day after the storm), members of the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Division, along with Sheriff Chris Wood assisted community members who were unable to access or leave their homes by sawing downed trees and removing the debris.
"It is important for all of us to remember to help those in need," said Sheriff Chris Wood. "One day it could be you. In law enforcement, sometimes serving your community has nothing to do with a gun or a badge. It has everything to do with being a neighbor and a friend.”
Wood gave special thanks to Lt. Drew Payne and Agent Hunter Wood for providing the chainsaws.