I-40 along Tennessee-North Carolina border closed for weeks after flooding

Heavy rainfall triggered flash flooding and mudslides Wednesday evening, wiping out a portion of Interstate 40 at the Tennessee/North Carolina line.

COCKE COUNTY, Tenn. – Road crews are hard at work along the Tennessee and North Carolina border to remove debris on Interstate 40 after heavy rain caused flash flooding and mudslides on Wednesday evening, months after Hurricane Helene did the same. 

The Tennessee Department of Transportation said I-40 will likely be closed for at least two weeks as clean-up occurs. 

A nearby portion of I-40 was previously closed for more than four months following severe damage caused by Hurricane Helene last September.

TDOT said while the area that was damaged on Wednesday is in the same part of highway that was damaged by Helene, the damage is not as extensive. 

I-40 SHUT DOWN ALONG TENNESSEE-NORTH CAROLINA BORDER DUE TO FLOODING, LANDSLIDE MONTHS AFTER HELENE

Large amounts of mud and debris appeared to be the primary challenge for road crews on Thursday morning. 

TDOT said drones would give a better picture of the area and help assess the damage. 

WATCH: I-40 MUDSLIDE TRIGGERED BY HELENE NEARLY TAKES OUT COUPLE IN BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS

Tennessee Department of Transportation drones help assess damage to I-40 after flash flooding caused mudslides Wednesday evening. The department anticipates the highway to be closed for at least two weeks. 

A detour route is open from I-81 to I-26 or I-81 to I-77, TDOT said. 

While emergency repairs allowed for the Helene-damaged part of the interstate to reopen early in 2025, full restoration is expected to be a multi-year process and not finish before 2028.