Multiple Fatalities After Flooding In Tennessee

At least three people have died after torrential rain and flash flooding in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Emergency crews conducted water rescues as the flooding shut down interstates and left cars stranded.

Amy Maxwell, a spokeswoman for the Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management, said a large tree fell and crushed the car of a family of three in a Chattanooga suburb.

“Chattanooga Airport recorded 6.42 inches of rain on Tuesday, the second wettest day on record in the city’s history,” NBC News noted.

Footage of the flooding circulated on social media:

At least three people have died after torrential rain caused flash flooding in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on Tuesday.

More than six inches of rain fell, marking the city’s second-wettest day on record, shutting down interstates, stranding vehicles, and prompting water rescues. pic.twitter.com/YB8aPy60OH

— AccuWeather (@accuweather) August 13, 2025

I lived in Chattanooga TN for years…

The images coming out of there from the flash flooding yesterday are truly unbelievable.

Multiple people trapped in their homes or cars were rescued.

How many of these major floods are we going to have this year?!

WHAT IS GOING ON?!!! pic.twitter.com/lzBixL6KGl

— Matt Van Swol (@matt_vanswol) August 13, 2025

A dramatic scene unfolded in Chattanooga, TN, Tuesday evening. Heavy rains triggered flash flooding across the city, leaving multiple cars stranded in floodwaters along I-24.

Remember: Turn around, don’t drown.#TNwx pic.twitter.com/zs36C6KRHX

— WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) August 13, 2025

NBC News shared further details:

At least one man is also missing in the floodwaters, authorities said. First responders saw the man being swept away and attempted to look for him by swift-water boat, but were unable to find him. The search for that man is a “top priority this morning at first light,” the Office of Emergency Management said.

Chattanooga Airport recorded 6.42 inches of rain on Tuesday, the second wettest day in the city’s history since records began in 1879, the National Weather Service Office in Morristown said.

Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp declared a local state of emergency due to the flash flooding.

Muddy brown floodwaters turned highways into rivers. One video showed a big rig driving through Interstate 24 with water levels reaching the trailer. Video footage also showed cars swirling in floods with water reaching up to the windows.

Road closures Tuesday included I-24 and I-24. The waters receded Wednesday morning, and as of 12:30 a.m. local time, the I-24 was clear and open in both directions.

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World News Tonight provided coverage:

The system that brought heavy rain and flooding to TN turned deadly after a mother, father and child in East Ridge were killed by a tree that fell on their car. In Chattanooga, a man swept away by floodwaters was later found dead. @sramosABC reports. https://t.co/cu1AG0tavs pic.twitter.com/9Pua1qgBtd

— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) August 13, 2025

More from The New York Times:

Photos and videos posted on social media by the Chattanooga Fire Department showed firefighters rescuing people from floating cars and partly submerged homes. A trailer truck was among the vehicles stuck in muddy waters along Interstate 24, which reopened after floodwaters receded, according to Lindsey Rogers, a spokeswoman for the fire department. No injuries have been reported, she said.

Many roads including the Amnicola Highway, which traverses downtown Chattanooga, were still flooded as of 10 p.m. The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office urged people in a social media post to avoid unnecessary travel.