UPDATE — Thursday, November 5, 5:23 AM CT: The National Weather Service in Morristown has extended this Flash Flood Warning for southeastern Polk County until 9:00 AM EST. Catastrophic flash flooding is ongoing in Copperhill, with numerous businesses and homes under several feet of water. The Flash Flood Emergency for Copperhill remains in effect. This is a particularly dangerous situation — seek higher ground now.

Polk County, Tennessee — The National Weather Service in Morristown has issued a Flash Flood Warning for southeastern Polk County in east Tennessee, in effect until 7:00 AM EST on Thursday, November 5, 2026. A Flash Flood Emergency is in effect for Copperhill. This is a particularly dangerous situation. Seek higher ground now.

What is happening:

Widespread significant flooding is ongoing across southeastern Polk County. Homes and businesses are under water and being evacuated as runoff from extreme heavy rain in Georgia pours down the Ocoee River. The Ocoee River has risen to major flood stage and now sits just 3 feet from its all-time peak. Law enforcement reports numerous homes and businesses under water. Ducktown and Copperhill are in the path of the flooding.

Local impacts:

Life-threatening flash flooding is hitting low-water crossings, small creeks and streams, city streets, highways and underpasses. Water is already over roads in the warned area, and more rain could push the Ocoee River higher still.

What to do:

• Move to higher ground now. Do not wait.

• - Do not try to travel unless you are fleeing an area that is flooding or under an evacuation order.

• - Be extra careful at night, when it is harder to see how deep floodwater is.

• - Never drive on a flooded road.

• - If you see water rising around you, get to higher ground immediately. Turn around, do not drown.

• Source: National Weather Service Morristown, Tennessee, November 5, 2026.