Latest on Knoxville, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, East Tennessee weather warnings and watches – MASHAHER

(This report has been updated with new information.)

High winds from the remnants of Hurricane Helene are wreaking havoc in East Tennessee after rain has fallen for days and saturated the ground.

Conditions are still dangerous because of strong gusts, the National Weather Service warns, and flooding and wind risks continue. General flood warnings have expired, and conditions are improving in Knoxville, but flash flood alerts remain in far northeast Tennessee.

Drivers should watch for blown-down trees and powerlines, and there is a chance for widespread power outages. Travel could be difficult for high-profile vehicles.

East Tennessee counties under high wind, flash flood warnings

The following counties will remain under a high wind warning until around 8 a.m. Sept. 28, with the possibility of 25 mph to 35 mph southeast winds and gusts of 60 to 65 mph:

• Blount County and Smoky Mountains

• Cocke County and Smoky Mountains

• East Polk County

• Johnson County

• Sevier County and Smoky Mountains

• Southeast Carter County

• Southeast Greene County

• Southeast Monroe County

• Unicoi County

Flash flood warnings continue until just before 2 a.m.. Sept. 28 for:

• Northern Carter County (expires 1:45 a.m.)

• Southern Carter County (1:30 a.m.)

• Johnson County (1:30 a.m.)

• Southeastern Sullivan County (1:45 a.m.)

• Northwestern Unicoi County (1:45 a.m.)

• Unicoi County (1:30 a.m.)

• Central Washington County (1:45 a.m.)

• Southeastern Washington County (1:30 a.m.)

Other areas expected to experience flash flooding are:

• Bluff City

• Central

• Elizabethton

• Embreeville

• Hampton

• Hunter

• Johnson City

• Limestone

• Midway

• Milligan College

• Morril`s Cave

• Oak Grove

• Pine Crest

• Rocky Mount State Park

• Sadie

• Telford

• Unicoi

• Watauga

NWS Radar

Safety tips for when driving in high wind conditions

The National Weather Service advises the following guidelines for remaining safe while driving in high winds:

Maintain a safe distance from high-profile vehicles (large vehicles that can be difficult to handle), watch for fallen trees, powerlines or debris, main a strong grip on your steering wheel and be cautious when crossing overpasses/bridges.

“If you’ve got high-profile vehicles like vans, buses, and some SUVs, you’re just going to have to be extra careful and give people space between you and other drivers. The gusts you know are kind of instantaneous,” Dalton said.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Latest: Knoxville, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee weather warnings after Helene