Flash flooding hits small town hard

SOUTH PITTSBURG, Tenn. — Flash flooding has damaged buildings and vehicles in South Pittsburg, coating the city’s quaint downtown with inches of mud.

Heavy rain Wednesday night triggered flooding down South Pittsburg Mountain. The Chattanooga Times Free Press reported about 3.5 inches of rain fell in about 2 hours in the Marion County town.

“We lost three patrol cars and City Hall got flooded,” police Chief Dale Winters said.

Officials said damage was widespread, including South Pittsburg Elementary School, City Hall, the police department, fire hall and the public water and gas building. Additionally, nearly every business along the main street was damaged as were dozens of homes.

Mayor Jane Dawkins said Thursday that three bridges were swept away.

First-floor residents of the Chester Powell Senior Living Apartment Complex were evacuated.

“There’s quite a bit of damage, and we are having to relocate some of those folks in alternative housing,” Dawkins said. “Most every business from First on down to at least Sixth Street has damage.”

Residents of the city of about 3,300 residents near the Tennessee River said the flooding came on in a matter of minutes as creeks overflowed.

“This is unreal,” said Emily Hall, owner of Hammers Store. She, her son, Mike, and Ellen Lambert were trying to vacuum part of the store where a small lake had formed about 6 inches deep.

There were no reports of deaths or serious injuries.