Two individuals were rescued from rising floodwater early Sunday morning, March 16 in Jackson County, where widespread flooding damaged homes, roads, and utilities.
At approximately 4 a.m., Jackson County E-911 received a call from two people staying at an Airbnb on Riverside Lane along the Roaring River. They reported their car had been swept away two hours prior, and water was continuing to rise around their location. The caller said the water was about three feet from the structure and rising.
Dispatchers, using Prepare Live technology, video chatted with the callers and confirmed the rising water. Jackson County Rescue Squad and Emergency Management were dispatched for a water rescue.
Responding units faced delays due to flooded roadways. Personnel cleared an alternate route to reach the area. The Jackson County Rescue Squad launched a boat from Morrison Creek Road, guided by drone support from Jackson County EMA. The boat crew traveled approximately one mile through floodwaters to reach the stranded individuals.
The two people were safely extracted and declined medical evaluation at the scene.
The flooding caused widespread damage to homes and closed multiple roads across the county. Water and electricity outages were also reported. The Jackson County Highway Department, Upper Cumberland Electric, and Jackson County Utility District are working to restore services.
Residents are urged to exercise caution when traveling over the next 48 hours due to flooding and road damage.
A form is available online for residents to report damage from the severe weather and flooding.
