Officials share update on local road conditions, repairs

JACKSON, Tenn. — Many parts of West Tennessee endured severe flooding flooding for several days, and now crews are working to repair damages.

Many parts of West Tennessee were issued high risk flash flood warnings impacting many underpasses, highways and small creeks as well as poor drainage and low lying areas.

“Bells, Lauderdale County, Tipton County — all the surrounding counties are really bad, really bad,” said Franklin Cliff with the Haywood County Highway Department.

After a full week of severe weather, many counties are still experiencing the aftermath in closed roads due to raging waters in last week’s storm.

“Trees falling, trees falling everywhere, so we’ve been doing a lot of tree removal. We’ve got most of that done and now we’re fixing the roads,” said Cliff.

Crews in Haywood County are working along Tabernacle Road, east US-79 near Mud Creek, and Highway 54 between Crockett and Haywood.

We also made a visit to an area in Carroll County on Clarksburg Road. You can visibly see how the road has been completely washed out. We spoke with neighbors who say the bridge suddenly collapsed.

According to the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department, active road closures are also along Brewer Road in Lavenia, Hinkledale Road in McKenzie, and Pond Branch Road in Buena Vista.

Here’s how long it takes to typically repair road damages.

“It depends on how bad. Like this one took about five to six hours but some of them could take a couple of days. Most of the time we can get it done within a day or so,” said Cliff.

Here’s what drivers need to know to stay cautious.

“If you see us working please slow down, and if you see high water turn around because it’s really bad out here,” said Cliff.

According to the Gibson County Police Department, drivers should stay cautious of closures around State Route 185, State Route 152 West, Highway 108 between Rutherford and Bradford, and State Route 88 between Crockett and Lauderdale.

If you’re out and about on the roadways, be sure to keep an eye out for work crews and scattered debris throughout the region.

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