Hamilton County Schools will be closed on Thursday for children. Twelve-month employees should report on a one-hour delay.
Child care will also be closed.
Officials said, "Conditions around some schools in the district are not expected to improve overnight, and additional rain is expected with heavy rain possible at daybreak. Not all school areas will be significantly impacted by rain and high water, but there are too many issues with roads in the community and conditions around schools in the north section of Hamilton County to have school on Thursday."
Chattanooga Christian School will delay its start by two hours.
A kayaker on North Chickamauga Creek who was reported missing has made it out safely.
The Mowbray Volunteer Fire Department said the kayaker flipped out of his raft and swam to the bank. He then found a trail and eventually flagged down a motorist. He was driven back to a Command Post.
Here is the latest Flash Flood Warning from the National Weather Service:
FLOOD WARNING FROM 8:27PM EDT WED UNTIL 8:30AM EDT THU THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MORRISTOWN HAS ISSUED A * FLOOD WARNING FOR... RHEA COUNTY IN EAST TENNESSEE... MEIGS COUNTY IN EAST TENNESSEE... HAMILTON COUNTY IN EAST TENNESSEE... * UNTIL 830 AM EDT THURSDAY. * AT 826 PM EDT, LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTED HEAVY RAIN THAT FELL DURING THE AFTERNOON CONTINUES TO CAUSE FLOODING. TWO TO FOUR INCHES OF RAIN HAVE ALREADY FALLEN. * SOME LOCATIONS THAT WILL EXPERIENCE FLOODING INCLUDE... CHATTANOOGA, DAYTON, DECATUR, SODDY-DAISY, SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, SPRING CITY, WALDEN, LAKESITE, RIDGESIDE, FAIRMOUNT, HARRISON, RED BANK, COLLEGEDALE, GRAYSVILLE, FLAT TOP MOUNTAIN, LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, NORTH CHICKAMAUGA CREEK GORGE, STINGING FORK FALLS STATE PARK, EAST RIDGE AND BIG SPRING. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... TURN AROUND, DON'T DROWN WHEN ENCOUNTERING FLOODED ROADS. MOST FLOOD DEATHS OCCUR IN VEHICLES. BE ESPECIALLY CAUTIOUS AT NIGHT WHEN IT IS HARDER TO RECOGNIZE THE DANGERS OF FLOODING.
The Hamilton County Parks and Recreation Department announced that the Riverwalk is closed from the Rowing Center to the Manker Patten Tennis Club due to flooding.
Congressman Chuck Fleischmann said, “Tonight I ask that you join me in praying for the people of East Tennessee as their homes and lives are being threatened by catastrophic flooding. My heart is with the loved ones of the individual who lost their life and with all those who are seeking shelter.
"I am incredibly thankful for law enforcement, first responders, firefighters, and all emergency personnel that are risking their lives to save those in danger.”
Amy Maxwell of Emergency Management said, :Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management wants to remind motorists driving into water on flooded roads can lead to trouble.
"Some drivers can lose control after hitting a large water puddle and may hit a tree or become stuck, some may find their car swept away, and some get stuck when the car’s engine sucks in water. All of these situations can leave drivers—and possibly their families—at risk of drowning if the water continues to rise.
"If you're on a road and the water looks to be 6 inches or deeper, turn your car around. Be especially cautious at night, when it is harder to recognize flood danger. Even water that's 12 inches deep can move a small car, and 2 feet of raging water can dislodge and carry most vehicles.
"People drive into flood water because they often think it's shallow. They don’t know if the road has worn away and don’t know what’s under the water. They don’t know if there’s a wire down or debris in the road.
"Driving into flood water also can leave you with a car damaged. Even if the water isn't over the car’s bumper, it's possible for water to be sucked into the engine's intake and stall or even destroy an engine.
"Plan ahead when storms approach: Get to your shelter-in-place location rather than risk driving on flooded roads. This helps keep everyone safe, and it reduces the burdens on emergency crews."