A portion of Interstate 40 could be closed for at least two weeks near the Tennessee-North Carolina state line after flash flooding and a rockslide blocked the interstate Wednesday evening, officials said.
Tennessee Department of Transportation officials anticipate it taking at least two weeks for the waters to recede and repairs and cleanup to take place before the interstate can reopen, they said Thursday.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation says people should follow detours to get around the rockslide. Heading west, the interstate is closed beginning at exit 20 in Haywood County to the Tennessee state line.
Both sides of I-40 are closed around the stateline, according to the Tennessee DOT.
Video posted to X Wednesday afternoon shows a portion of the road at mile marker 450 in Cocke County, Tennessee, impacted, with several vehicles seen trapped by the rising waters.
The Tennessee DOT said engineers were on site Thursday to inspect the roadway, and other crews were working to clear debris.
That same road also saw major damage last fall in North Carolina near the state line during Helene.
The NCDOT suggests the following detours:
- Take Exit 53B (I-240 West) and follow I-240 West for five miles to Exit 4A (I-26 West). Follow I-26 West 74 miles, crossing into Tennessee, to Exit 8A (I-81 South). Follow I-81 Southbound 57 miles to re-access I-40 at mile marker 421 in Tennessee
- Traffic originating from Points East of Winston-Salem should take Exit 193-B (US-52 North) and follow US-52 North for 34 miles to Left Exit 140 (I-74 West). Follow I-74 West for 12 miles and keep right to take I-77 North toward Wytheville, Virginia. Follow I-77 North for 38 miles, crossing into Virginia, until merging with I-81 South at Fort Chiswell, Virginia. Continue on I-81 South for 156 miles, crossing into Tennessee, to re-access I-40 at mile marker 421 in Tennessee
- Traffic originating between Winston-Salem and Statesville should take Exit 152-B for I-77 North. Continue on I-77 North for 87 miles, crossing into Virginia, until merging with I-81 South at Fort Chiswell, Virginia. Continue on I-81 South for 156 miles, crossing into Tennessee, to re-access I-40 at Mile Marker 421 in Tennessee
For more information on the closure, click here.