Flood ready?
Minimal risk of rising waters from Clinch River
While the Clinch River could pose a flooding threat to Clinton, officials say it isn’t likely.
Brice Kidwell, director of the Anderson County Emergency Management Agency, said Clinton has a 3.67, or “low,” risk rating from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
He credited the Tennessee Valley Authority for maintaining safe water levels at Norris Dam and regulating the Clinch River’s flow.
“There is always the potential for the Clinch River to become overwhelmed in the event of excessive rainfall, such as the amount our neighbors in East Tennessee experienced last fall,” Kidwell said.
“Localized flooding is a more-common occurrence in low-lying areas, and those areas are noted within our Hazard Mitigation Plan, which was [last] updated in 2022 and is updated every five years.”
Scott Brooks with TVA public relations said most of Clinton’s flooding issues stem from creeks and streams that TVA does not regulate. He said Norris Dam has averted $89 million in potential flood damages.
“As with any natural disaster, it is very hard to predict when, where and what kind of event will affect areas of our county,” Kidwell said. “We encourage all residents to be prepared for anything that may come our way.”
While Oak Ridge has sirens for disaster alerts, other areas in the county do not.
Kidwell said there are pros and cons to sirens.
In East Tennessee’s hilly terrain, he said, sound doesn’t always carry well, and modern insulation can block it.
Clinton City Manager Roger Houck agreed.
“Sirens are only good if you can hear them, and with hilly terrain and long boundaries east to west, we would have to have several sirens,” he said.
“Plus, if you are in your house with the TV turned up or have a headset on, you wouldn’t hear the sirens.”
There are other ways to receive disaster alerts.
Kidwell listed app-based notifications, the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio, and social media.
However, some areas of the county — especially in the north — don’t receive reliable cell signals.
With expanded broadband access, Kidwell said, more areas now have Wi-Fi and can receive alerts.
He also advised residents to have an emergency response plan and a preparedness kit on hand.
The Anderson County website offers preparedness resources at andersoncountytn.gov/emergency-management.
For more information on notifications, visit the city of Clinton’s CodeRed system at coderedweb.com or the city of Oak Ridge’s Everbridge alert system at everbridge.net.
