3 dead in historic rain and flash flooding in Tennessee, authorities say

At least three people have died after heavy rain and flash flooding lashed Chattanooga, Tennessee, overnight Tuesday and shut down interstates, stranded cars and prompted swift water rescues

At least three people have died after heavy rain and flash flooding lashed Chattanooga, Tennessee, overnight Tuesday and shut down interstates, stranded cars and prompted swift water rescues.

A family of two adults and one child died after a tree fell on their car in East Ridge Wednesday morning, the Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security.

At least one man is also missing in the floodwaters, authorities said. First responders saw the man swept away by floodwaters and attempted to look for him by swift water boat, but were unable to find him. The search for that man is a “top priority this morning at first light,” the Office of Emergency Management said.

Chattanooga Airport recorded 6.42 inches of rain on Tuesday, marking the second wettest day in the city’s history since records began in 1879, the National Weather Service Office in Morristown said.

Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp declared a local state of emergency due to the flash flooding.