Local leaders are urgently requesting a state of emergency declaration from Nashville after severe weekend flash flooding ravaged the area, wiping out critical infrastructure and local agriculture.

The rushing floodwaters caused widespread destruction across the county, leading officials to call it some of the worst flooding they have ever witnessed.

Key Impacts of the Storm:

• Infrastructure Collapses: Multiple roads were completely washed away. Three bridges suffered severe damage, including one that was reportedly split clean in half.

• Agricultural Devastation: County Executive Jimmy Johnson reported that the local farming community took a massive hit, with entire crops of hay, corn, and beans entirely washed away.

• Emergency Response: Utility crews and first responders hit the ground on Sunday and Monday to assess the wreckage and begin the long recovery process.

“This was some of the worst flooding [I’ve] ever seen.”

— James Bilbrey, Fentress County EMA Director

County leaders are currently working with state officials to secure the emergency declaration and bring much-needed relief and funding to the hard-hit community.

(Photo by Meteorologist Alex Libby)