Flooding due to heavy rain in East Ridge and Red Bank caused the closure of one school and some evacuations early Thursday.

McBrien Elementary School will be closed today (Thursday). Childcare will not be provided.

McBrien Principal William Fain said the drainage line to lead water away from the school cafeteria could not handle the heavy rain. He said the cleanup began at 2 a.m.

The principal said the cleanup efforts included sanitizing wet areas. He said a few instructional materials were damaged. Water was a foot deep on the first floor of the school that is scheduled to be closed after this school year.

On Wednesday, at approximately 11:30 p.m., East Ridge Police and Fire units responded to the 3600 block of Ringgold Road due to calls about high water. The heavy rain had caused water to rise very quickly in the area.

Water had forced residents of the Cascade Motel located at 3625 Ringgold Road to evacuate their rooms. Some residents climbed on top of vehicles to escape the rising water.

Firefighters arrived on the scene and quickly began to rescue the trapped residents from on top of cars and from their rooms. At least one occupant was rescued off the roof of the building.

Approximately 40 residents were displaced and had to be moved to tents set up by firefighters in front of the building on Ringgold Road.

The American Red Cross was requested to respond.

CARTA was called at 2 a.m. to provide a bus to transport the Cascade residents, and supervisor Reggie Ferguson responded in one of the agency's largest buses.

Flash flooding and evacuations were reported in Chattanooga, and Red Bank as well. The Red Cross established an emergency shelter at Brainerd Recreation Center for the displaced residents from all three cities.

Chattanooga Police were summoned to 2203 Gilbert St. shortly before midnight. A woman said she and her two children were stranded after the house flooded.

The water was so high that the officers could not reach the house. The fire department's Engine 4 was called and the mother and children were taken to safety.

In other areas of East Ridge, firefighters temporarily evacuated several homes on Bennett Road between John Ross Road and Greenslake Road due to high water. Several vehicles were flooded in the Landmark Estates area as well. Several businesses in the Osborne Shopping Center were flooded causing firefighters to shut power off to portions of the business complex.

East Ridge firefighters and hazardous material units responded to the Valvoline Instant Oil Change at 4202 Ringgold Road where flooding had caused oil to enter the roadway and storm drains. Dikes were placed around the drains to prevent any further contamination until clean-up crews could respond to the scene and properly dispose of any hazardous materials.

The East Ridge Community Center also had a small amount of water in the building.

East Ridge Police closed several different sections of Ringgold Road during the height of the flooding. In addition to flooding, police officers, firefighters, and East Ridge street department crews responded to several downed trees that had fallen across power lines and roadways. Large trees blocked both the 600 and 1600 block of South Seminole Road.

Agencies responding to the flash flooding in addition to East Ridge Public Safety and Public Works included Hamilton County Emergency Services, American Red Cross, Memorial EMS, Angel EMS, and the Electric Power Board.

Barricades were also placed on a number of Chattanooga streets and roads affected by high water, including sections of Rossville Boulevard, Holtzclaw Avenue, McCallie Avenue, Bailey Avenue, Brainerd Road, Hixson Pike and Fourth Avenue.

The Chattanooga area received 2-4 inches of rain overnight. Additional scattered showers were in the forecast for the next few days. The city could receive over two more inches of rain, forecasters said.

The Greater Chattanooga Area American Red Cross opened and operated two shelters housing 39 individuals who were displaced. At 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Hamilton County Emergency Management, the Chattanooga Fire Department, the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army met to coordinate plans for today and the days to follow to best take care of the flood victims, officials said.

The Red Cross has combined its two shelters and will be serving all flood clients at the Brainerd Recreation Center. This is now the only shelter in operation.

The Salvation Army Van will shuttle victims to the Salvation Army Family Stores at 11:00, 1:00 and 3:00 to obtain additional clothing and shoes as needed.

Officials said, "All services are made possible through the generous donation from our community. Monetary donations can be mailed to The Salvation Army, 822 McCallie Ave, Chattanooga, Tn., 37403 or The American Red Cross, 801 McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37403. Checks should be marked for 'Chattanooga Flood Relief.'”

Donations can also be made online at www.CSArmy.org and www.ChattanoogaRedCross.org/donate

Mess was left in the McBrien cafeteria
- Photo2 by Wes Schultz