Heavy rain brought more flooding to the Pigeon River over the weekend, further hindering recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene.
The Cocke County Emergency Management Agency said Sunday (12/29/2024) on Facebook that 7 pumps, each the size of a VW Beetle, were swept from Walters Dam and sent down the Pigeon River. Swiftwater Rescue Crews were being posted on the bridges between Waterville Road and Newport to watch for the pumps. Large timbers and construction materials were also lost to the flood waters.
A Flood Warning was issued for Newport and everyone down river from Waterville Road Power Plant was urged to move to a safe distance and keep away from the waters edge on the Pigeon River.