COCKE COUNTY, Tenn. (828newsNOW) — Swift water rescue crews, firefighters and emergency responders evacuated stranded residents and motorists Wednesday after flash flooding from heavy rains shut down parts of Interstate 40 near the Tennessee-North Carolina border.

According to an after-action report from the Cocke County Emergency Management Agency, rain began falling around 1:30 p.m., quickly overwhelming areas near Waterville Road and the Pigeon River “put-in” site. By late afternoon, swift water teams were activated, and 911 dispatchers began receiving calls from people trapped in vehicles and homes.

Rescue operations focused on two areas: I-40 and Green Corner Road. Floodwaters and washouts hampered both missions, the report said. On Green Corner Road, crews used an armored vehicle to reach a family of six. On I-40, Newport Swift Water Rescue launched a raft to pull occupants from submerged vehicles, including a tractor-trailer. About 20 people were rescued near the state line.

No injuries or fatalities were reported.

County agencies, school staff, volunteers and the Red Cross provided logistical support, including transportation, food, and shelter. Emergency Management Director Joe Esway praised the unified response, calling it “a massive team effort.”

I-40 remains closed at the state line because of flood damage and a rockslide in the same stretch that was washed out during Tropical Storm Helene in September 2024 and only reopened in March.

I-40 CLOSED NEAR NC-TN LINE BECAUSE OF FLOODING; DETOURS IN PLACE

According to the NCDOT, I-40 West between Exit 20 and the Tennessee line will likely be closed at least through July 4.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation has issued official detour routes for drivers traveling westbound:

  • From Asheville: Take Exit 53B for I-240 West. Continue 5 miles to Exit 4A (I-26 West). Follow I-26 West for 74 miles into Tennessee to Exit 8A. Merge onto I-81 South and continue for 57 miles to rejoin I-40 at Mile Marker 421.
  • From east of Winston-Salem: Use Exit 193B for US-52 North and continue 34 miles to Exit 140 for I-74 West. Drive 12 miles, then merge onto I-77 North. Continue into Virginia and merge onto I-81 South at Fort Chiswell. Follow I-81 South for 156 miles to reconnect with I-40 in Tennessee.
  • From the Winston-Salem to Statesville area: Use Exit 152B for I-77 North and follow it through Virginia until it merges with I-81 South at Fort Chiswell. Continue on I-81 South to Mile Marker 421 in Tennessee.