United States - September 28, 2024

In an unprecedented event that has left local authorities reeling, Interstate 40 East has been completely shut down starting at Mile Marker 432 due to severe flooding and damage caused by the Pigeon River. The dramatic closure at Mile Marker 439.4, just within Cocke County, was necessitated after the river, swollen beyond its banks, wreaked havoc on the infrastructure.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) confirmed the closure early this morning, indicating that the situation is not only a significant inconvenience but poses a serious safety risk to travelers. "This is not just a road closure; it's a stark reminder of nature's raw power," stated a TDOT spokesperson. "The river's flood waters have compromised the structural integrity of the interstate, leading to this indefinite closure."

Reports from the scene depict a scene of chaos where water from the Pigeon River, fueled by recent heavy rains and potentially exacerbated by upstream dam issues, has effectively reclaimed parts of the highway. Eyewitnesses described seeing sections of I-40 submerged or entirely washed away, with debris and mudslides blocking what remains of the roadway.