CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Historic flash flooding on Tuesday evening left four dead in Chattanooga and East Ridge.
It also left many roads, including Interstate 24, underwater.
Many are wondering what are the next steps for those affected by the storm.
Additionally, questions are being raised if the construction along Interstate 24 contributed to the dramatic scenes that we saw along this stretch of highway.
Troy Plemmons, who saved a woman from being submerged inside of her vehicle, described, “The water didn’t have nowhere to go. The spots where it could go, it just started filling up the road.”
The results of 7 inches of rain in three hours along the interstate was something no one was prepared for.
Hamilton County Emergency Management Director Chris Adams said, “It’s difficult to plan for an event like this. Who would think you could run a boat down 24, and it not be on a trailer? We would never in our wildest dreams would’ve thought that, even in our mapping we haven’t come across that one yet.”
In a statement to News 12, TDOT says that the drainage systems in the construction zone worked as intended and that it did not exaggerate the flooding.
However, some officials wonder if that needs to be relooked at, as both mayors say they have been speaking with state officials about the flooding.
Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp said, “We’re told that I-24, the portions that are being expanded currently are being built to 50 year flood capacity. Remember that this is a flash flood, not a traditional flood, so we want to get our definitions. But I definitely think it’s an opportunity to talk about infrastructure and revisit it especially given the state’s massive investment in this corridor.”
Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly says that the city has been using an AI program to better predict stormwater runoff, but that it would likely be years before the city saw results from those efforts.
Mayor Kelly said, “The definition of a 10 year or a 50 year flood event is probably going to change, or should change. That’s based on an anticipated level of rainfall, and this kind of goes all the way back to municipal engineering. They are designing to a standard to we may need to reexamine.”
Emergency officials are also continuing surveys of damage across Hamilton County, saying this process is important for potential disaster declarations.
Adams said, “We’re to reclaim as much as we can and help people as much as we can financially, so if we can get FEMA assistance, that’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to make sure we get out there and do these damage reports and if any money is due to Hamilton County, East Ridge, and Chattanooga, we’re going to get it.”
It is worth noting that no was injured during the flooding event on I-24.
Both the cities of East Ridge and Chattanooga currently have assistance programs open for residents impacted by the flooding at this time.
