Chattanooga Faces Devastating Flooding After Record Rainfall

Chattanooga, October 6, 2025

News Summary

Chattanooga, Tennessee, experienced severe flooding due to over 6 inches of rain, leading to tragic fatalities and significant damage in the area. Four fatalities have been reported, including a man missing after being swept away and others who were killed by falling trees. Emergency services have conducted water rescues for those trapped by rising waters, as local government declared a state of emergency and opened shelters for displaced residents. Travel restrictions are in place due to road closures resulting from the flooding, with ongoing weather warnings predicted.

Chattanooga Experiences Severe Flooding Following Record Rainfall

Chattanooga, Tennessee, was hit hard by severe flooding on August 12, 2025, following over 6 inches of rain, marking the city’s second-wettest day on record. The unprecedented weather conditions have resulted in significant flooding throughout the Chattanooga area, particularly in Hamilton County, leading to four fatalities related to flooding incidents.

Tragically, a man is reported missing after being swept away by floodwaters while attempting to navigate around barricades on East Brainerd Road. In a separate incident in East Ridge, a falling tree crushed a car, resulting in the deaths of two adults and a child. The Chattanooga Fire Department has responded by conducting 35 water rescues to assist stranded drivers and residents trapped in their homes due to rising water levels.

As the storm caused extensive damage, Interstate 24 was closed between Interstate 75 and US 27, restricting travel through the area. The local government has recognized the seriousness of the situation, with Mayor Weston Wamp declaring a local state of emergency in Hamilton County. Emergency workers have been proactive, opening storm shelters to assist residents displaced by flooding.

Conditions have been exacerbated by oversaturated soils, leading to additional hazards such as fallen trees endangering vehicles. Reports indicate that some areas, including Rising Fawn, Georgia, south of Chattanooga, recorded over 8 inches of rain.

While the storm system continues to impact the Southeast, further scattered showers and storms are forecasted for the coming days. Flood warnings are also in effect for other parts of central and eastern Tennessee as weather patterns persist, prompting the Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security to warn of ongoing threats from high water and additional flooding incidents.

Local officials are urging residents to practice safe habits, especially when encountering flooded roadways. They are advising the public to heed safety warnings and “turn around, don’t drown” when faced with flooding hazards. Notably, Riverfront Parkway between Aquarium Way and the Highway 27 Bridge has been closed until October 5, 2025, due to ongoing flood risks.

Summary of Incident

• Initial rainfall: Over 6 inches on August 12, 2025
• Fatalities: 4 people due to flooding-related incidents
• Missing person: Man swept away on East Brainerd Road
• Car accident: 2 adults and 1 child killed by falling tree
• Water rescues: 35 conducted by Chattanooga Fire Department
• Travel restrictions: Interstate 24 closed; Riverfront Parkway closure until October 5, 2025
• Emergency declaration: Local state of emergency declared in Hamilton County

Ongoing Weather Conditions

Forecasts predict additional scattered showers and storms in the coming days, contributing to the risk of further flooding. Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant as weather patterns evolve across the region.

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Additional Resources

• Times Free Press
• New York Times
• The Weather Channel
• AccuWeather
• Local 3 News
• Google Search: Chattanooga flooding 2025
• Wikipedia: Flood
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Flood
• Google Scholar: Chattanooga flooding
• Google News: Chattanooga flooding

Author: STAFF HERE CHATTANOOGA WRITER

The CHATTANOOGA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREChattanooga.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Riverbend Festival, Chattanooga Oktoberfest, and Moon River Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Chattanooga, plus leading businesses in manufacturing, insurance, and utilities that power the local economy such as Volkswagen Chattanooga, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, and EPB. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREKnoxville.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.