Anderson County Emergency Management Agency

05/30/2026

Be careful out there today with how saturated the ground is it doesn't take much to turn a normal road into a boat launch. You definitely don't want to drive through this. . You never know what the road may or may not look like underneath.

Remember It takes less then 6 inches of flowing water to float an SUV. No matter what you say Chad your F-250 wasn't made by tracker and wont give you an edge catching anything.

Turn around don't drown!!!

Photos taken on airport rd in Oliver Springs and New River Highway.

05/22/2026

🐾 BIG NEWS FOR ANDERSON COUNTY ANIMAL OWNERS & VOLUNTEERS! 🐾
We are thrilled to officially announce the reestablishment of the Anderson County Disaster Animal Response Team (DART)!
When disaster strikes—whether it’s severe weather, flash flooding, or large-scale emergencies, our human emergency services swing into action. But what about our beloved pets and livestock? That’s where DART comes in.
Our mission is simple: to provide coordinated, specialized care, temporary sheltering, and evacuation assistance for animals during emergencies. From house pets to barnyard animals, we want to ensure no member of the family is left behind.

🤝 WE NEED YOU: JOIN THE TEAM!
A response team is only as strong as its community. We are officially opening our doors for volunteers to join DART, and we need a wide variety of skills to build a successful network.
We are looking for passionate individuals for multiple roles, including:
• Animal Handling & Care: Assist with temporary sheltering, feeding, and basic care.
• Logistics & Admin: Help with check-ins, record-keeping, supply management, and coordination.
• Transport & Field Operations: Assist with moving animals safely out of harm's way.
⚠️ No prior emergency management or veterinary experience is required! We will provide the necessary training and certifications to ensure everyone operates safely and effectively in the field.
📅 How to Get Involved
If you have a heart for animals, a willingness to help your neighbors, and a desire to make Anderson County more resilient, we want to hear from you.
👉 To sign up or request more information: Send us a direct message right here on Facebook or email our program manager Karen Ooten at [email protected]

If you are unable to volunteer you can still support the program. Here is a link to Amazon if you would like to purchase and donate items to the DART program:

https://a.co/09GznxdX

Let’s work together to keep all residents of Anderson County safe—two-legged and four-legged alike!

05/22/2026

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Morristown TN
229 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026

TNZ036-067>069-071-221915-
Anderson TN-Roane TN-Loudon TN-Knox TN-NW Blount TN-
229 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026
..A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN LOUDON...
SOUTHWESTERN KNOX...SOUTH CENTRAL ANDERSON AND EAST CENTRAL ROANE
COUNTIES THROUGH 315 PM EDT...

At 229 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Lenoir City, moving northeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.

Locations impacted include...
Knoxville, Oak Ridge, Lenoir City, Loudon, Farragut, Oliver Springs,
Louisville, Karns, and Tellico Village.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

This storm may intensify, so closely monitor for additional
information or possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

05/21/2026

Mark your calendars 🗓️ Burn permits are not required in Tennessee from May 16 through October 14.

Every year, the Tennessee Division of Forestry requires free burn permits from October 15 through May 15. Why those dates? That window is Tennessee's wildfire season, when drier conditions, fallen leaves and lower humidity make it easier for a small backyard fire to escape and turn into something much bigger.

Permits help us track outdoor burning during the riskiest months and keep our forests and neighborhoods safer, while also communicating with the public (that's you!) about when and where it is safe enough to burn at any given time.

Once we move into late spring, summer and early fall, greener vegetation and higher humidity reduce the fire risk... which is why permits aren't required during that stretch.

A few things to keep in mind before you strike a match:

🔥 Some cities and counties have their own burning rules year-round. Always check with your local government before lighting it up.
🔥 Never leave a fire unattended and always have water or tools nearby to control it.
🔥 Watch the wind. Even on a "safe" day, gusts can carry embers farther than you'd think.

Burn permit season may be ending, but fire safety doesn't take a break. Stay smart and stay safe out there, Tennessee! 🌲

https://www.tn.gov/tnwildlandfire/prevention/safe-debris-burning/permits/county-municipality-list.html

05/20/2026

A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for parts of Anderson County untill 730 PM. Seek shelter if you are in the path of this storm!!!

******WARNING HAS EXPIRED******

6:45 PM EDT - A Severe Thunderstorm Warning in effect including Knoxville TN, Clinton TN and Mascot TN until 7:30 PM EDT.

05/04/2026

Last week Anderson County Emergency Management staff attended the state EMAT conference where we were met with a pleasant surprise!
The EMA director from Anderson County South Carolina!!
We traded coins had some laughs and got this great shot.
Huge shout out to Joshua Hawkins and his staff Anderson County Sheriff's office of emergency management!

Now the fun part.... Their page is currently at 17,000 we are at 3100. Let's see what we can do to match their numbers. We have faith in you AC!! Let's do this!!

04/27/2026

04/22/2026

📢 INCREASED FIRE DANGER TODAY

The National Weather Service has issued a Special Weather Statement for Anderson County. Low humidity combined with wind gusts up to 15 mph will create an elevated fire risk this afternoon.

Anderson County EMA urges all residents to avoid outdoor burning today. Under these conditions, a small fire can spread rapidly and become uncontrollable. Please help us keep our first responders safe and our community protected.

Stay safe, Anderson County!

04/22/2026

While we're rebounding back into warm and still dry conditions this week, rain chances are worming 🪱 their way back into the forecast for both this weekend and next week.

04/12/2026