**NEWS RELEASE **
Re: Feb. 23rd rain event/flood in Blount County, TN
BLOUNT COUNTY, TN
The Blount County Mayor, Ed Mitchell, issues this news release to inform the public of hazardous driving conditions throughout Blount County due to flooding. We are urging people, please do not drive around barricades and barrels. They are set up by the Maryville, Alcoa and Blount County Highway and Public Works Departments for your safety. Rain will continue into early evening hours and we expect additional flooding. Please drive safely and we remind if barricades and barrels block a road or street, turn around, don’t drown.
The Blount County Emergency Operations Center will remain open and staffed by representatives from the cities of Maryville and Alcoa, as well as Blount County Fire Protection District and AMR Ambulance Service. We will be monitoring the situation as it progresses.