SUBJECT:  Flash Flooding, July 30^th, 2025

DATE:  August 1^st, 2025

GENERAL NARRATIVE

 

In the afternoon/evening hours of July 30th, 2025, our city received 2.73 inches of rainfall according to the National Weather Service in Morristown. To put that number in perspective, for July, Kingsport received a total of 4.67 inches of rainfall. Well over half of the rainfall for July occurred in approximately three hours. City services responded to multiple locations impacted by the flooding. An analysis of 9-1-1 calls determined the following:

 

1. Industry Drive, Cleek Road, and Packing House Road were closed due to flooding.
2. Additional roads were affected, but the water had receded before they could be closed.
3. Approximately twenty-one (21) roads were affected, including the downtown area, Netherland Inn Road, and Lynn Garden Drive, to name a few.
4. Seven (7) stranded motorists were reported to Central Dispatch, and several additional motorists were assisted while field units with KFD and KPD were responding to calls.
5. Vehicles were impacted by flash floods around Netherland Inn Drive, Clinchfield Street at Domtar, Fort Henry Drive in front of Dobyns-Bennett High School, Press Street at Revere Street, and Lynn Garden Drive.
6. Three (3) water rescues were conducted.

 

The Kingsport Police Department would like to thank our partners at the Kingsport Fire Department, Public Works, Kingsport 9-1-1, and the Traffic Department for their assistance and the total coordinated efforts that helped ensure no lives were lost. We would like to remind everyone that flash floods occur quickly and that motorists should use extreme caution if caught in such conditions. Please see the graphic below from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) providing further Federal guidance and information.

 

 

 

 

 

RELEASING OFFICER

Corporal Brandon Arnold

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

Office (423) 343-9866, Fax (423) 343-9749

BrandonArnold@KingsportTN.gov