On Tuesday, Chattanooga experienced a “once-in-a-century” flash flood event when over six inches of rain fell in a short period. This caused significant flooding across East Ridge and surrounding areas in Hamilton County, impacting major roadways like I-24, Brainerd Road, and SR 153, among others.

Spring Creek overflowed, further contributing to the widespread inundation.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) Commissioner Will Reid stated that despite the severity of the storm, which far exceeded design standards, TDOT was mobilized and responded swiftly in coordination with emergency services. Crews worked around the clock to clear debris, assist motorists, and reopen routes.

TDOT Region 2 Director, Danny Oliver, noted that even their alternate routes were affected due to the rapid rainfall, requiring the implementation of contingency plans. It was confirmed that an ongoing road construction project in the area was not a factor in the flooding as its drainage systems functioned as designed.

All state routes were reopened around 1:00 AM ET thanks to the collaborative efforts of TDOT Help operators, law enforcement, emergency responders, and public works agencies. TDOT emphasized their commitment to safe travel, announcing that maintenance crews would be inspecting routes for damage and preparing for future rain.

Motorists were reminded to use TDOT’s information tools, avoid distracted driving, and adhere to Tennessee’s Move Over Law.