By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Camden, Tenn.–Heavy rainfall is wreaking havoc in Benton County with some 15 roads closed, businesses closing early, some county offices closed, and school activities cancelled. The county’s rescue squad also has been busy with water rescues today.
Benton Co. Director of Schools Mark Florence said the county experienced some three to five inches of heavy rain between 8:30 and 11:30 a.m. this morning. All after-school activities are cancelled, he said, and with more rain forecast for tonight, a decision will be made by 10 p.m. whether to have school tomorrow.
There was a lull in the rainfall in the afternoon which allowed some floodwaters to recede enough for buses to run, he said. “Some routes we still can’t take the kids directly home, so we’re having parents meet us at safe locations,” Florence said. “Some parents came to the schools to pick their children up this afternoon, but we didn’t have to delay taking the kids home.”
County Mayor Brett Lashlee said several county offices have been closed, including the highway department office, which is now inaccessible to the public due to the flooding.
Rescue squad personnel were unavailable for comment, but Lashlee said, “I know at least one person was rescued from a vehicle and an elderly man was rescued from his home which was flooded,” Lashlee said. “With more rain called for tonight, I’m anticipating that the Rescue Squad, EMA and other first responders will be really busy tonight.”
Tonight’s Benton County Commission meeting has been cancelled and will be held Thursday night.
The basketball game between Camden and Big Sandy has been cancelled, as is the chili supper.
Camden, Tenn.–Heavy rainfall is wreaking havoc in Benton County with some 15 roads closed, businesses closing early, some county offices closed, and school activities cancelled. The county’s rescue squad also has been busy with water rescues today.
Benton Co. Director of Schools Mark Florence said the county experienced some three to five inches of heavy rain between 8:30 and 11:30 a.m. this morning. All after-school activities are cancelled, he said, and with more rain forecast for tonight, a decision will be made by 10 p.m. whether to have school tomorrow.
There was a lull in the rainfall in the afternoon which allowed some floodwaters to recede enough for buses to run, he said. “Some routes we still can’t take the kids directly home, so we’re having parents meet us at safe locations,” Florence said. “Some parents came to the schools to pick their children up this afternoon, but we didn’t have to delay taking the kids home.”
County Mayor Brett Lashlee said several county offices have been closed, including the highway department office, which is now inaccessible to the public due to the flooding.
Rescue squad personnel were unavailable for comment, but Lashlee said, “I know at least one person was rescued from a vehicle and an elderly man was rescued from his home which was flooded,” Lashlee said. “With more rain called for tonight, I’m anticipating that the Rescue Squad, EMA and other first responders will be really busy tonight.”
Tonight’s Benton County Commission meeting has been cancelled and will be held Thursday night.
The basketball game between Camden and Big Sandy has been cancelled, as is the chili supper.