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| Flooding Causes Massive Headaches for East Ridge EAST RIDGE, TENN – For several days the southeast Tennessee, north Georgia area experienced on and off rain showers and thunderstorms causing flooding concerns for local residents and lots of down power lines and fallen tree calls for local firefighters. At about 11:30 PM on Wednesday, September 16, 2009, a freak heavy thunderstorm rolled through the East Ridge area dumping over four inches of rain in less than two hours. Almost immediately the calls began pouring into the 9-1-1 center reporting major flooding of businesses and homes in several areas of the city. Firefighters were called upon to brave the elements and perform evacuations from some low lying areas. Some people were stranded in their homes and others in their vehicles. One of the hardest hit areas was Ringgold Road, a major east-west roadway that houses most of the commercial establishments in the city. About a two mile stretch of the roadway looked more like a river for a while than a four lane roadway. Water over a foot deep flowed down the street, into parking lots and buildings. Power had to be shut off in at least one shopping center due to the water. The Cascade Motel at 3625 Ringgold Road was inundated with water. Many cars were flooded, almost every room in the motel flooded and a brick retaining wall behind the motel was washed away. Some residents were trapped in their rooms, others in cars and even one on the roof. Firefighters immediately responded by going door to door to rescue those in peril. Due to heavy flooding in East Ridge, Chattanooga and Red Bank, the American Red Cross opened a temporary shelter in the Brainerd Recreation Center. At least forty displaced residents of the Cascade Motel were transported by CARTA bus to the shelter where Red Cross volunteers worked diligently to assist them. The Valvoline Instant Oil Change at 4202 Ringgold Road was another business that had major flooding. The flooding caused the oil from the business to run into the roadway and storm drains. Dikes were built and cleanup crews were immediately dispatched to take care of the hazardous situation. McBrien Elementary School was severely flooded and closed for the remainder of the week so crews could clean up the water and decontaminate the school. Several fallen tress and down power lines kept the fire and police departments busy throughout the night. The East Ridge Fire Department was assisted in their efforts by members of Hamilton County Emergency Services, Angel EMS, Memorial EMS, the American Red Cross and the East Ridge Police Department. |
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