Tennessee Strong

Tennessee Strong: A Flood That Tested and United Us
When the skies opened over Tennessee, it wasn’t just rain—it was a relentless downpour that turned quiet creeks into raging rivers and familiar roads into torrents of uncertainty. Cities like Knoxville, Morristown, Gatlinburg, and Chattanooga were placed under flood watches as tropical moisture surged through the region, dumping inches of rain per hour.
Streams and rivers like the Nolichucky, French Broad, and Pigeon swelled beyond their banks, breaching dams and swallowing bridges. In Greene County, the Nolichucky Dam faced water flows nearly twice the volume of Niagara Falls, forcing emergency crews into action as dozens were rescued from rooftops.
But amid the chaos, Tennessee stood strong.
Neighbors became first responders. Churches opened their doors. Volunteers waded through knee-deep water to deliver supplies. The phrase “Tennessee Strong” wasn’t just a slogan—it was a spirit. A promise that no matter how high the water rose, the people would rise higher.
From the Great Smoky Mountains to the valleys below, the flood left scars—but it also revealed the strength stitched into the fabric of every Tennessean.