Spencer's Alvord section hit by flash flooding,
many houses under water, families rescued

Debris from businesses caught on Alvord foot bridge

Wal-Mart and shopping center customers
were stranded for a few hours by rising water

Spencer by-pass (US 119) flooded for first time after many years

By Bob Weaver 2015

Homes, businesses, bridges and roads have been damaged in Roane County after two weather patterns collided and quickly dumped about three inches of rain on the area Thursday morning.

A large number of bridges have been washed away, but so far there have not been reports of loss of life or injuries.

Most of the counties main highways were closed.

Responders have rescued a number of families with an emergency shelter established at the former National Guard Armory.

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin has declared Roane flooding a State of Emergency, and National Guard troops are being dispatched for the clean-up.

The US 119 by-pass in Spencer was covered by water from Spring Creek, Mayor Terry Williams saying it has been at least 40 years since it flooded.

"A lot of folks, agencies and responders have quickly rallied to help the community," Mayor Williams said.

Wal-Mart shoppers were trapped in the shopping complex for two to three hours, water over the access road.

Employees of Willard Starcher's attempting early clean-up

Spencer's Bell Street homes flooded

The 911 Center was closed because of flooding, and 911 calls were being being diverted to other centers.

A number of Spencer and Roane businesses were flooded, with dozens of homes, many in the historical flooded areas of Alvord and Bell Street.

Water got into homes and buildings on Arnoldsburg Rd. (US 33-119) east of Spencer toward the Calhoun line.

County residents were trapped by water Thursday morning on Clay Road Rt. 36) in Looneyville, Arnoldsburg Road near Spencer, Round Knob Road near Spencer, Little Left Hand Road in Amma, with flooding in the Walton area.