In the area of Eastern Tennessee and Western North Carolina, things are really bad in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene winds and rain. The massive flooding in the entire SE region has created multiple crisis points in NC, TN, GA, SC, AL and Virginia.

In Western North Carolina, eastbound Interstate 40 is gone. I-40 washed away by massive amounts of water through Pigeon River, near the Tennessee state line. {STORY HERE}  Initially, state officials denied the collapse because it was impossible for anyone from the state to get to the area to confirm it.  They later said, “oh, shit- it’s real”… and now admit it will take a long time for repairs.

In northern East Tennessee the Interstate 26 bridge has collapsed near Erwin. I-26 is closed eastbound at mile marker 37 and closed westbound at mile marker 43.  {STORY HERE} Again, this is another closure that is likely to take a long time for repairs.

The region where Tennesse and North Carolina come together at the base of the Appalachian Mountain range has been severely damaged.  Transit into the area will be impeded for a substantial amount of time.  Rivers and streams throughout the area are far beyond their capacity and only now starting to recede.

I know we have a lot of Treepers in this area.  Check in if you are in any of the affected areas and let us know your condition.  There is going to be a significant amount of time delay in getting resources moved into the area to assist, and the national MSM do not seem to be recognizing the issues.

UNICOI COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Several state routes and an area of Interstate 26 in Northeast Tennessee are closed on Friday due to downed trees and flooding, according to the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT).

TDOT spokesperson Mark Nagi said I-26 is closed both ways around Exit 40. The interstate is closed eastbound at mile marker 37 and closed westbound at mile marker 43.

Approximately 12,000 vehicles per day use the I-26 bridges located at mile marker 39.6, according to Nagi. (read more)

NEWPORT, Tenn. (WSMV/WBIR) – Interstate 40 Eastbound is closed to all traffic at Mile Marker 432 in Cocke County due to catastrophic flooding in Tennessee and North Carolina, according to the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

Part of I-40 going into North Carolina has washed away.

“This is a serious and life threating situation. DO NOT TRAVEL TO NORTH CAROLINA,” NWS Morristown said in a tweet.

Spokesman Mark Nagi shared several videos of the Pigeon River flooding onto I-40 in Cocke County. (read more)

ATLANTA, Sept 28 (Reuters) – Authorities across a wide swath of the southeastern United States faced the daunting task on Saturday of cleaning up from Hurricane Helene, one of the most powerful to hit the country, as the death toll continued to rise.

At least 43 deaths were reported by late on Friday, and officials feared still more bodies would be discovered across several states.

Helene, downgraded late on Friday to a post-tropical cyclone, continued to produce heavy rains across several states, sparking life-threatening flooding that threatened to create dam failures that could inundate entire towns.

Everyone check in and let us know that all is ok, if not – whether you need help.