Cleanup Under Way in Northeast Tennessee

Washington County residents are cleaning up after heavy rain caused flash flooding.

The torrential rain Sunday moved Doug Wilson’s house onto a road in the Dry Creek community. County highway workers dismantled the ruined home on Wednesday. The 65-year-old Wilson wasn’t there to watch, but his brother, David Wilson was. He told the Johnson City Press he and 11 siblings grew up in the house and it hurt to see what happened to it.

Health officials have warned people who live in areas that were flooded to not drink well water or eat vegetables from gardens.

Washington County EMA Director Chad Bruckman said the flooding destroyed or overwhelmed residential septic tanks and washed out chemicals stored in barns and garages.

The flooding rerouted Dry Creek in places.