Severe weather and record-breaking rainfall brought tragedy to the Chattanooga area on Wednesday, August 13, claiming four lives and causing widespread flooding.

Family of Three Killed in East Ridge

In East Ridge, a suburb of Chattanooga, a family of three lost their lives when a large tree fell on their car just after midnight.
Authorities have not yet released their names, but the Chattanooga Fire Department confirmed on Facebook that saturated ground from storms caused the tree to fall in the 1100 block of South Moore Road. Two adults and one child were killed instantly.

Fourth Fatality Reported

Later in the day, a fourth person was confirmed dead in a separate incident. Officials reported that the man had crossed a fire department barricade before disappearing into floodwaters.
Rescue crews searched for several hours despite worsening conditions. Authorities are working to confirm if the body recovered matches the missing individual.

Over 6 Inches of Rain Breaks Records

According to the National Weather Service Morristown, Chattanooga received 6.42 inches of rain on Tuesday alone — the second wettest day in city history. The wettest day on record remains from 2011.
Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp declared a local state of emergency as flooding shut down multiple roads, including sections of Interstate 24.

Chattanooga Airport has recorded 6.42″ of rain so far today. This is the second wettest 1-day total in the city’s period of record, going back to 1879. The record is 9.49″ of rain from T.S. Lee’s remnants in September 2011.

— NWS Morristown (@NWSMorristown) August 13, 2025

Emergency Rescues Across the City

First responders from the Chattanooga Fire Department, Hamilton County Emergency Management Agency, and other agencies conducted numerous evacuations.
Amy Maxwell, public information officer for the county, told the Chattanooga Times Free Press:

“We have a lot of trees down. We have a lot of power lines down. We have a lot of homes flooded in East Ridge.”

Swift water rescue teams were dispatched to save drivers trapped in flooded streets, leaving many vehicles stranded.

First Responders Praised for Efforts

Hamilton County Sheriff Austin Garrett praised the dedication of emergency crews in a Facebook post, saying:

“Public safety is more than a job — it’s a calling.”

He highlighted the tireless work of deputies, police officers, EMS teams, firefighters, and hospital staff throughout the storm.

Residents Share Firsthand Accounts

Local resident Paul Broughton described the flash flooding:

“I looked and the whole road was covered. Lord have mercy… all of a sudden it just started coming down, and it was relentless.”

More Rain Expected

The National Weather Service warns that storms will continue into Thursday, with scattered showers possible through Friday.
Sheriff Garrett urged residents to stay alert:

“Always have a safety plan for your family and stay weather aware.”