Cocke County, Tennessee – The Tennessee Department of Transportation reported that a significant stretch of Interstate 40 near the Tennessee-North Carolina state line was closed in both directions Wednesday evening due to flash flooding and a landslide caused by heavy rainfall.
Doppler radar revealed that a locally heavy thunderstorm dumped more than an inch of rain in a short period, causing standing water along the main thoroughfare between Cosby, Tennessee, and Clyde, North Carolina.
TDOT photos showed a tractor-trailer and several other vehicles stuck in the mud and debris that had accumulated on the interstate, making the road impassable.
Engineers were reportedly on their way to assess the situation, but transportation officials warned that the closure could last for some time.
No injuries were reported immediately, but officials were concerned about the possibility of additional slides and unstable terrain in the surrounding area.
In September 2024, Hurricane Helene caused severe damage to a nearby portion of I-40, which was closed for more than four months.
While emergency repairs allowed the interstate to reopen in early 2025, full restoration is expected to take several years and will not be completed before 2028.
Interstate 40 is an important east-west corridor that connects the mountainous regions of eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina.
With the most recent closure, drivers are now facing significant delays, with detours that could add an hour or more to travel times throughout the region.
Transportation officials are urging drivers to use I-81 and I-26 as alternate routes until the affected section of highway can be safely reopened.
The National Weather Service office in Morristown, Tennessee, issued a Flash Flood Warning after receiving reports of stranded motorists.
The alert has since been lifted, but forecasters continue to emphasize the risks of flash flooding during summer thunderstorms.
According to NWS forecasters, just six inches of fast-moving water can knock an adult off their feet, and a foot of floodwater is enough to sweep away most vehicles.
Transportation officials urge the public to stay informed if their travels take them between Knoxville and Asheville.
