I-40 reopens after flooding closed the roadway near Tennessee-North Carolina state line

COCKE COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) — I-40 reopened on June 27 after a spokesman with the Tennessee Department of Transportation said the road would open on or before Thursday, July 3, after the flash flooding last week.

“Please use extreme caution as workers are still present, as Helene repairs continue in this area,” wrote TDOT spokesperson Mark Nagi.

I-40 was closed on June 18 due to flooding and a mudslide that resulted in over two dozen 911 calls in Cocke County. 6 News interviewed one woman whose car got trapped in the mudslide. For many residents, the event brought back memories of Hurricane Helene.

On June 25, a TDOT spokesperson shared pictures and videos showing their progress as they worked to reopen the road.

One lane in each direction of I-40 in Cocke County reopened in March after being closed for several months due to damage caused by Hurricane Helene.