Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By Buzz Trexler

Star Correspondent

All roads seem to lead to nowhere in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene’s march through East Tennessee and Western North Carolina, and those that are open are still hazardous.

Meanwhile, the flood warnings and water rescues continue.

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for southern Carter County, southwestern Johnson County, Unicoi County, and southeastern Washington County until 1:30 a.m. Saturday.

As of 7:38 p.m. Friday, local law enforcement reported ongoing water rescues across Carter County with significant roadway flooding across the warned area.

Recent heavy rainfall across the mountains is producing life-threatening flash flooding and a particularly dangerous situation, the alert said, emphasizing residents should “seek higher ground now!”

Among the locations cited in the alert: Erwin, Hampton, Banner Hill, Unicoi, Limestone Cove, Roan Mountain State Park, Roan Mountain, Hampton Creek Cove State Park, Elk Mills and Rocky Fork.

“Do not attempt to travel unless you are fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order,” the alert said. “Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.”

As of 7 p.m., Friday, the Tennessee Department of Transportation said many roads and bridges have been compromised due to the severe weather and emphasized that all roads in Upper East Tennessee should be considered potentially hazardous. Travel should e avoided in those ares, TDOT said, unless one is seeking to move to higher ground.

“Motorists should follow all road closure signage and barricades, and should never attempt to drive through standing water,” the state transportation agency said on its social media page.

Furthermore, TDOT said all roads in Western North Carolina should be considered closed.

Among the interstate closures cited as of Friday afternoon by TDOT and the North Carolina Department of Transportation as of Friday afternoon:

— Interstate 40 in Cocke County, closed both ways from Mile Marker (MM) 432 to North Carolina MM 3;

— I-40 at North Carolina MM 3, closed in both directions; and

— Interstate 26 at MM 37 in Erwin to the North Carolina line.