HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. — Widespread flash flooding in Hamilton County Tuesday evening led to more than 400 911 calls and at least 35 rescues, according to officials.

Hamilton County agencies shared details of their emergency response at a press conference Wednesday.

“A lot of scary moments playing out last night,” Mayor Weston Wamp says. “But after spending a couple hours in East Ridge, as sad as the loss of life is, the damage isn’t as bad I thought it would be.”

Mayor Tim Kelly’s Office shared data on the work each department did:

  • CFD crews responded to more than 50 emergencies and calls for assistance.
  • CFD’s swiftwater rescue team saved 35 individuals from hazardous situations
  • CFD worked with CPD and other partner agencies on roadblocks, damage assessment, and evacuations.
  • CPD received 427 calls for service, including: 114 reports of flooding. 80 hazard checks. 11 water emergency calls. 33 car accidents. 10 reports of downed wires.
  • Public Works crews were out until 1:00 AM and back out at 7:00 this morning responding to more than 100 calls for service.
  • 15 Crews were out cleaning basins.
  • 3 Forestry Crews were out picking up downed trees.
  • More Public Works crews used their vehicles and barricades to assist partner agencies with road closures.
  • The Department of Community Development kept the Chris Ramsey Community Center open overnight to serve more than 20 evacuees in partnership with CFD and the Red Cross.
  • Provided space in the Chris Ramsey Community Center for the Chattanooga Fire Department to stage their response.
  • Prepared a clothing pantry for flood survivors at the John A. Patten Center.
  • Wastewater Department mechanics and electricians worked overnight to keep facilities operational and avoid significant outages.
  • Responded to 4 reported overflow issues and 6 sewer backups.
  • Set up Storm Station #1 to manage increased flows.
  • Chattanooga 311 responded to more than 110 calls, 10 emails, 5 text messages, and 25 service requests reporting flooding.

Terry Knowles with Hamilton County Swift Water Rescue says they rescued at least 35 people from flooded cars and homes Tuesday night.

He says there were so many 911 calls, they had to start deciding which to prioritize, putting some callers on hold.

Members of the community also stepped in to help.

“We saw a man on top of his car. And then the next thing you see is two small women and a little baby girl, probably about three years old, standing on the concrete median.”

Jerry Harvey says he served his community as a paramedic for over 20 years.

While he may be retired, he says those instincts don’t go away.

“I couldn’t even think about leaving that little girl and her mom out there and the other lady. I just, I couldn’t even consider that.”

In this video, you can see the moment Harvey made the decision to get out of his car to help:

“I couldn’t tell you if the water was hot or cold, the only thing my focus was completely on was the little girl.”

The people Harvey rescued were one of several vehicles that were trapped on I-24 in East Ridge Tuesday.

Hamilton County’s EMA Director says the flood waters rose quickly…

“People think, ‘how can you think how can you drive in water that deep?’ Last night was unique, as they were driving slowly through, it rose maybe 2 feet by the time they went 100 yards, so everybody may be criticizing what they did, we all know to turn around, don’t drown, but when you are in 2 inches and then all of a sudden it’s 4 feet deep that’s something we’ve never seen before.”

Hamilton County remains under a ‘state of emergency’ Wednesday.

Mayor Wamp says this should not be taken as cause for alarm by the public, as it’s primarily for administrative reasons to help with cleanup.

Wamp says he expects the state of emergency to last for 7 days.

Hamilton County officials say while the damages were less than they expected, they can confirm at least 4 people died because of the flash flooding.

Harvey says it was a no brainer for him to help, but he urges anyone who is untrained to not do what he did.

“I was always taught as a paramedic that a injured or a dead rescuer doesn’t rescue anyone, and so I think that’s probably the biggest takeaway is don’t try to be a hero.”

In the meantime, CFD says the American Red Cross of Tennessee is continuing to operate the shelter at the Brainerd Recreational Center and they are actively distributing emergency supplies.

Anyone affected is welcome to stop by for assistance, or they can call 1-800-RED CROSS.

Hamilton County EMA Director Chris Adams says the county plans to seek financial assistance on the federal level…

“We’re looking to try to reclaim as much as we can and help people any way we can financially, so if we can get FEMA assistance we will…”

Councilman Ronald Elliott, who represents District 9, is working closely with county officials and emergency management teams to assess damage.

Reports should be submitted via email to council-clerk@chattanooga.gov.

Please provide the following information:

  • Full address, phone number, and email address
  • A brief description of the damages and, if possible, photographs

More photos in our gallery above.

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