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By Buzz Trexler

Star Correspondent

 Floodwaters are already closing roads throughout the region and the National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for portions of southwestern North Carolina, southwest Virginia, and 20 East Tennessee counties, including Carter, Johnson, and Washington.

 Periods of moderate to heavy rainfall are expected to continue through the night as Hurricane Helene moves through the Southeast. With the ground already saturated from what meteorologists call a “predecessor rain event,” creeks and streams will remain elevated or above their banks tonight. 

 Numerous roads remain closed due to flooding and streams are expected to rise, the weather service said. Drivers should expect many areas of slow moving or standing water.

 Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are expected overnight, while some mountain areas in East Tennessee and southwest North Carolina may receive an additional 3 to 6 inches of rainfall through tonight.

 Carter County Emergency Management Agency officials are watching several areas within the county due to rising waters and the American Red Cross has opened a relief station in Mountain City to serve residents of Johnson and Carter Counties.

 “The main areas of concern at this time are the Hampton Creek and Sugar Hollow areas of Roan Mountain where waters are getting high,” said Abby Frye, Carter County Sheriff’s Office public information officer, in an email late Thursday afternoon. “Additionally, the Carter County Highway Department is out in the Cove Creek area of Roan Mountain clearing ditches and drainage tiles to try to keep water off the roadway there.”

 Frye said another area that officials are monitoring closely is the Buffalo Creek area in the Milligan Community, particularly around bridges as the water is getting high.

 The American Red Cross has opened a relief station at First Christian Church, Mountain City, for Johnson and Carter County residents and will provide food as needed.

 Hampton and Roan Mountain Volunteer Fire Departments will be manned overnight to assist any residents needing to get warm and get out of the weather,” Frye said. “Other volunteer fire departments in Carter County are on alert and prepared to open overnight if needed.”

 The Elizabethton Electric System is preparing for significant power outages that may occur due to the forecasted high winds. The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning from 8 p.m. today until 8 p.m. Friday for several East Tennessee counties, including Johnson, Unicoi, and southeast Carter counties. Southeast winds of 25 to 40 mph, with gusts up to 80 mph are expected.

 Residents are advised to check their flashlights and ensure they have extra batteries.

 Carter County 911 posted on its Facebook page early this morning that in the event of a flood in the Village of Roan Mountain, the Roan Mountain Volunteer Fire Department will sound a constant 90-second siren at Station 1 on U.S. 19E.

 As the remnants of Hurricane Helene move through the region, the weather service has issued a flood watch that will remain in effect through Friday afternoon. Widespread showers and some embedded thunderstorms can be expected at times today into Friday as Helene approaches, according to the NWS, which said periods of torrential rainfall are expected and may lead to flash flooding. 

 In January 1998, a powerful winter storm brought widespread flooding along the upper Doe River, killing seven people. The flood impacted Roan Mountain, Hampton, and Valley Forge, demolishing more than 200 mobile homes and 15 houses, while damaging 193 other houses or structures, and six businesses. According to the National Weather Service, a preliminary estimate of the loss was put at $20 million.

 Six of the seven deaths were associated with vehicles attempting to make water crossings, the NWS said, reiterating the danger of driving across high water. The last fatality reported was an emergency rescue member whose boat capsized during a rescue attempt.

 The NWS urges motorists, “Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.”