Name: Parents and Child Killed as Heavy Rain and Flooding Batter Tennessee
Uploaded: 2025-08-14T04:04:16.000Z
Description: As of Wednesday afternoon, damage assessments were still underway, with reports of flooded neighborhoods across Hamilton Place, Brainerd, East Brainerd, and East Ridge.

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A mother, father, and child were killed early Wednesday when a tree fell onto their car in the Chattanooga suburb of East Ridge during a night of relentless rain and flash flooding.

Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management spokesperson Amy Maxwell confirmed the tragedy. The saturated ground caused the large tree to fall just after midnight.

The flooding also prompted an urgent search for a man who was last seen walking through a flooded road in Chattanooga on Tuesday night. He had not been located as of Wednesday.

Heavy rains began pounding the region Tuesday, overwhelming storm drains, inundating streets, and forcing dozens of rescues from vehicles and homes. Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp declared a local state of emergency Tuesday night, urging residents to exercise extreme caution.

The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for much of Middle Tennessee through Wednesday night, warning of scattered flash flooding with tropical-like heavy rainfall and the possibility of training storms over already saturated ground from the previous storms.

Updated forecasts Wednesday morning called for additional downpours through the evening, with residents near creeks and low-lying areas advised to remain on high alert.

Chattanooga Fire Department officials <a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BBauFtpvJ/">reported</a> rescuing people trapped in vehicles and helping residents stranded in their homes. Floodwaters briefly closed sections of Interstate 24 before receding. In East Ridge, swiftwater rescue teams assisted residents from three homes on Maxwell Street who were unable to leave due to rapidly rising water. Crews ferried them to safety in inflatable boats.

Sheriff Austin Garrett described the flooding as unprecedented in scope. “This is extremely widespread. It made it difficult for us to even get here ourselves to try to help other people,” he said. “So no, I’ve never seen it to this extent, this widespread in so many areas and impacting travel the way it is.”

In a message to the public, Garrett <a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CsVjbshGx/">praised</a> the coordinated work of deputies, 911 dispatchers, firefighters, police officers, EMS crews, and transportation personnel during the crisis. “Public safety is more than a job—it’s a calling,” he wrote. “Even in dangerous situations, the mission remains the same: to keep our county safe and operational.”

The sheriff also urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel and to never attempt driving across flooded roads. “If you are in a safe location, please stay where you are. Avoid driving, as doing so could endanger you and hinder our first responders’ ability to assist those in need. Turn Around, don’t drown.”

As of Wednesday afternoon, damage assessments were still underway, with reports of flooded neighborhoods across Hamilton Place, Brainerd, East Brainerd, and East Ridge. Officials warned that with more rain on the way, conditions could deteriorate quickly.

“While yesterday’s weather event has passed, the forecast for today is calling for additional heavy rain beginning this morning extending into the evening,” Garrett <a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19b6xh6VfB/">said</a>. “Please stay tuned to local news outlets and download our Sheriff’s app to keep informed. Always have a safety plan for you and your family and remember to stay weather aware.”

<em>The Associated Press contributed to this report.</em>

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