Tragedy Strikes Chattanooga: Family of Three Killed Amidst Severe Tennessee Flooding

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – A devastating incident has claimed the lives of a mother, father, and child in Chattanooga, Tennessee, after a large tree fell on their car amidst severe heavy rainfall and widespread flooding. The tragedy occurred in the East Ridge suburb just after midnight, with the tree’s collapse attributed to ground saturation from the relentless downpour, according to Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management spokesperson Amy Maxwell.

The fatalities come as emergency officials are actively assessing the full extent of the damage across Hamilton County. County officials are scheduled to tour the East Ridge area this morning to survey the destruction.

The severe weather has triggered a local state of emergency, declared by Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp on Tuesday night, as first responders contend with extensive flash flooding. Residents have been urged to exercise extreme caution, with numerous rescues of individuals trapped in homes and swamped vehicles reported since Tuesday.

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for much of middle Tennessee through Wednesday night, warning of scattered flash flooding, ‘tropical-like’ heavy rainfall, and the potential for ‘training storms’ over already saturated areas. Chattanooga Fire crews have been actively rescuing motorists and residents, and parts of Interstate 24 in the area were temporarily closed due to high waters before reopening. Hamilton County Sheriff Austin Garrett described the flooding as ‘extremely widespread,’ noting its unprecedented reach and significant impact on travel.

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