Action News 5 - Memphis, TennesseeOfficials await flooding in northwest Tennessee

Officials await flooding in northwest Tennessee

Posted: Updated:
MEMPHIS, TN -

(WMC-TV) - National Guardsmen and state troopers are in northwest Tennessee preparing for flooding from the Mississippi River.

Some three dozen National Guardsmen and 20 troopers are in the Lake, Dyer and Obion counties area, awaiting the river's crest around Sunday.

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency in Nashville said an undetermined number of homes in Tiptonville are flooded and there are likely others in Dyer and Obion counties. There are no reports of fatalities or injuries.

TEMA said property damage would not be estimated until floodwaters recede.

Officials are especially concerned about Lake County because it could become isolated. State Highway 78 is the only road open in and out of the small county, officials said.

Also Friday, the Tennessee Highway Patrol activated two of its district strike teams to assist flood victims and emergency response officials affected by the floods in west Tennessee.

Strike teams from Jackson and Memphis reported to the National Guard Armory just east of Tiptonville in Lake County.

Officials said the teams are manning and guarding access points to the Mississippi, assisting local agencies with emergency calls, and patrolling the areas of Tiptonville, Bogota, Ridgely, Hornbeak, and south to Dyersburg, as well as evacuated homes.

For complete information about Mid-South floods, including a list of road conditions and emergency shelters, log on to WMCTV.com.

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