Steady rain continued to pour over Northeast Tennessee Monday night and all day today, causing swollen streams, flooding residential areas, forcing road closings and prompting school dismissals.
Washington County Schools and Carter County schools dismissed at 10:30 a.m. Schools in Johnson County were delayed by two hours due to the potential for flooding.
Greene County schools were closed today.
The creek that runs along Austin Springs Road in Johnson City was rising by this morning. The road was not closed as of 9 a.m. but it often floods during heavy or extended rains.
Flooding also was occurring in the Dry Creek community of Washington County, where last August's floods caused record damage. Authorities were preparing to assist people who would be affected by the nearby rising Dry Creek.
Washington County Emergency Medical Services, the swift water rescue unit and the local American Red Cross chapter were on standby status. Cherry Grove Baptist Church also was on standby to set up an emergency shelter if needed.
Other creeks throughout Washington County also were rising, flooding numerous roads. Locations affected included Cherokee Road, Rockhouse Road, Freehill Road at Woodby Drive in Gray, Dunbar Road at West Broyles Road in Chuckey, Corby Bridge Road, Old Stage Road at Frog Level Road in Gray and Double Springs Road at Fordtown Road. Railroad tunnels in the Knob Creek and Carroll Creek areas of north Johnson City were closed because of high water.
Radio continued throughout the morning alerting emergency personnel of the developing weather situation.
Reports were that Buffalo Creek along Milligan Highway was rising out of its banks and that G Street and Gap Creek Road in Elizabethton were flooded.
The National Weather Service in Morristown was predicting a 100 percent chance of rain today and tonight, ending around noon Wednesday.
The entire region was under a flood watch.
These reports are developing, so keep checking JohnsonCityPress.com for more information as it becomes available.