East Ridge reels after flash floods; city compiles damage reports and seeks federal aid

Mayor Brian Williams and city officials told residents on Aug. 14 that the city is compiling damage reports after a flash flood that sent water into houses, closed roads and led to multiple fatalities.

Resident Joe Wilson told the council he has lived at 607 South Morpher since 1998 and that “3 inches of water went through my house” during the most recent flood. Multiple other residents and council members described water deep enough to inundate garages and flow across roadways.

City Manager Miller said the city is collecting addresses and damage details to pursue disaster assistance, and asked residents to contact Amanda Bowers in City Hall with photos and descriptions. “We’re working with TEMA, and we’re going to be submitting disaster recovery assistance from TEMA and FEMA,” Miller said.

Fire and police officials described emergency operations during the storm. Fire Chief Williams said East Ridge first responders evacuated more than 60 people, performed 19 water rescues and rescued more than 10 animals. The fire chief also said mutual‑aid agencies helped with swift‑water operations and a hazmat response to an oil spill at a business. Police officials said they answered in excess of 160 calls and that officers worked extended shifts to handle rescues and other incidents.

Mayor Williams and staff told the council a family of three was killed when a tree fell on their vehicle in East Ridge and that a fourth fatality was later confirmed in the broader area. Officials asked the community to keep first responders and affected families in their thoughts.

Public works and engineering staff briefed the council on drainage conditions. Jeff Sykes of Ace Engineering described the local stormwater network and said crews have identified undersized pipes and outfalls that concentrate flow. He said the city has three major outfalls in the affected area and noted planned future work to extend upgraded infrastructure from the old Kingwood pharmacy toward tunnel outlets.

Several residents pressed the council to inspect rear‑yard ditches and culverts where private tiles, fences or debris may be blocking flow. City Attorney said staff generally cannot enter private property to inspect without the owner’s consent; council members discussed seeking waivers from residents to allow inspections. Charles McCullough, a resident, raised the idea of examining recorded plats and easements to determine responsibility for older drainage infrastructure.

Officials also reported ongoing sewer upgrades by the local wastewater authority (WWTA). Miller said WWTA is spending about $6,000,000 on manhole rehabilitation and slip‑lining to reduce sanitary sewer overflows, and that the city is adding storage tanks to reduce surge impacts to the collection system.

Mayor Williams asked residents affected by water intrusion to register their contact information and damage with City Hall (abowers@easthtn.gov; (423) 867‑7711) so the city can document losses and support a county‑level emergency declaration and any FEMA application. City staff said the county has begun an emergency declaration process and that Hamilton County Emergency Management and TEMA staff have been engaged.

The council did not take a formal vote on flood policy at the meeting. Officials described next steps as compiling damage reports, pursuing disaster assistance with TEMA and FEMA, continuing mutual‑aid and cleanup operations, and evaluating longer‑term drainage studies and infrastructure projects.