Unicoi County EMA

08/11/2026

Just inside Unicoi County from the Okolona Exit, the interstate is currently down to one lane due to sinking in the roadway. TDOT is monitoring the situation. Please use caution and slow down when traveling through the area. We will provide updates as more information becomes available.

UNICOI COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) – According to Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), a sinkhole has developed on I-26 East in Unicoi County. TDOT spokesperson Mark Nagi reports the sinkh…

08/07/2026

NOTICE – UNICOI COUNTY RESIDENTS

If your property sustained storm-related damage on Tuesday, August 4, please see the flyer below for information on how to report your damages.

Important: Reporting damage does not guarantee financial assistance, but it is an important step in helping local and state officials assess the overall impact across Unicoi County.

08/04/2026

UPDATE: The flooding on Unicoi Drive at Wisemans Road has cleared, and the roadway is now open to traffic.

⚠️ CAUTION: ROAD CLOSURE ⚠️
Flooding on Unicoi Drive at Wisemans Road. The road is currently closed.

Emergency crews are on scene. Please avoid the area, use caution, and seek an alternate route until further notice. Stay safe.

07/12/2026

NOTICE: Trail Closures

Effective immediately and until further notice, the following off-road trails are CLOSED:

⚠️ Dicks Creek Trail (off Highway 107)
⚠️ Dark Hollow Trail (off Rock Creek Long Branch)

There are currently two off-road vehicles stranded in Dicks Creek after becoming stuck on Saturday. Due to dangerous creek crossing conditions caused by recent rainfall, it was unsafe to attempt a rescue at that time.

Today, Unicoi County Emergency Management, Unicoi County Search and Rescue, and the Unicoi County Sheriff’s Department are on scene. Search and Rescue personnel will enter the area to assist the stranded individuals as soon as conditions are safe. We have been in contact with the stranded individuals. They are uninjured and safe, but unable to leave the area at this time.

There are also reports of another Jeep that became stranded in Dicks Creek. The three adults and one infant associated with that incident were safely rescued Friday night and are all safe.

Please share this notice with your ATV, UTV, Jeep, and off-road friends. These trails and access roads will remain CLOSED until further notice for the safety of the public and emergency responders.

If you have any questions, please contact Jimmy Erwin at (423) 388-0099.

Thank you for your cooperation and please stay safe.

07/11/2026

The excessive rainfall overnight and throughout this morning has caused localized flooding in low-lying areas across Unicoi County. With the ground already saturated, several downed trees have been reported. Please use extreme caution if you must travel today. If you do not have to be on the roads, we encourage you to stay home. Several roads and streets are already reporting standing water, and additional rainfall of several inches is expected this evening and overnight. Please watch for emergency personnel working throughout the county, and remember: Turn Around, Don’t Drown. Never attempt to drive through flooded roadways.

If it is safe to do so, we encourage you to share photos of flooding, downed trees, or storm damage with us to help us monitor conditions across the county.

06/15/2026

The Unicoi County Emergency Management Agency invites you to attend the next Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) Meeting on Thursday June 18th, 2026, at 10:00 AM.

06/11/2026

05/27/2026

Great opportunity for the residents of Unicoi County! Please come out tomorrow to the Job Fair hosted by the Unicoi County LTRG. We encourage anyone looking for employment opportunities or community resources to attend.

American Red Cross of Tennessee
UMCOR - United Methodist Committee On Relief
United Way of East TN Highlands
Unicoi County Care & Share
First Tennessee Development District
The Salvation Army USA
Centenary UMC of Erwin, TN

05/26/2026

Unicoi County Emergency Management Agency had the pleasure of participating in the Tri-Cities Airport emergency response drill today. We appreciate the opportunity to train alongside our partners and continue strengthening interagency coordination and preparedness.