Morgan County,TN Emergency Management and Homeland Security

08/28/2026

INCIDENT UPDATE – WARTBURG CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

Earlier this evening, Morgan County Emergency Management responded to Wartburg Central High School regarding a reported threat.

Morgan County EMA assisted the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office and other responding agencies with coordinating the response and ensuring there were no legitimate threats to the school campus.

Law enforcement has cleared the school and determined there is no current threat on campus stemming from the threats made to the Morgan County E-911 Center.

This incident remains under investigation by the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office. Because this is an active law enforcement investigation, Morgan County EMA will not be answering questions or providing additional details regarding the incident at this time.

Morgan County EMA would like to recognize and thank every agency involved for their quick response, cooperation, and professionalism throughout this incident.

Responding agencies included:
• Morgan County E-911
• Morgan County Sheriff’s Office
• Morgan County Schools
• Wartburg Police Department
• Knox County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Team
• Tennessee Highway Patrol
• Tennessee Office of Homeland Security

We appreciate the cooperation of our responding agencies and community throughout this situation.

08/02/2026

We have difficult update to share in the for David Garrett. Authorities found him deceased this afternoon in Morgan County.

Our thoughts are with those who knew and loved him during this tough time.

EARLIER POST:

: We need your help to find David Garrett, who is missing from Morgan County.

The 60-year-old is 5’10”, 213 lbs., with blue eyes & bald. He was last seen Saturday near Calvin Howard Rd. in Lancing.

Garrett may be driving this red 2019 Ford F-350 with TN tag BVK3941. He has a medical condition that may impair his ability to return safely without assistance.

Spot him? Call the Morgan County Sheriff at 423-346-0911 or TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND.

For more details on this alert, TBI's Silver Alert program, and more resources, download the TBI Find App: tbi.pub/TBIFindApp

06/27/2026

We know there have been many questions regarding the Lancing train derailment and the ongoing response efforts.

To help keep everyone informed, we have attached a link to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) response website. This site provides updates on the incident, response activities, environmental monitoring, and contact information for the agencies and stakeholders involved.

We encourage everyone to use this resource for the most current and accurate information regarding the response.

Thank you for your patience and continued support as local, state, and federal agencies work together to respond to this incident.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

06/26/2026

On the evening of June 24, deceased fish were observed in the Emory River near Harriman, TN. According to the EPA, the impacts to fish appear to be associated with low dissolved oxygen levels in the river.

Low oxygen levels can occur when river microbes and bacteria break down ethanol, a process that consumes oxygen from the water. Reduced dissolved oxygen can affect fish and other aquatic life.

Norfolk Southern and regulatory agencies, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are continuing to assess impacts and monitor the Emory River.

Ethanol and dissolved oxygen levels have been monitored since the derailment, and mitigation efforts, including aeration, are ongoing to help increase dissolved oxygen levels in the river. Surface water sampling shows ethanol levels in the river are well below human health advisory levels.

If you see dead fish or other aquatic mortality, please report your observations to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency at 1-800-332-0900.

We will continue to share updates as more information becomes available.

06/17/2026

Morgan County Train Derailment Operational Update as of June 17:

In the immediate hours after the train derailment, preventative measures were implemented to help protect local waterways. In coordination with local, state, and federal partners, including EPA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, crews placed a boom on the river and deployed several aerators to help maintain normal oxygen levels.

Air monitoring conducted in coordination with EPA and local officials shows no risk from the derailment at this time.

Late on June 16, officials were made aware of a report on the Emory River. Upon inspection, EPA crews observed small patches of foam on the river, each about a few inches in length and width. The foam may be related to firefighting efforts at the derailment site. Officials have confirmed that the firefighting foam used did not contain PFAS chemicals, a group of long-lasting chemicals that can persist in the environment.

Out of an abundance of caution, EPA has sampled the river at the locations where the foam was observed. Sampling results will be shared with officials involved in the incident, and any necessary actions will take place if warranted.

Monitoring and coordination remain ongoing, and any necessary actions will be taken based on sampling results. We will continue to take reports seriously, respond quickly, and share updates as additional information becomes available.

06/15/2026

Morgan County Train Derailment Operational Update as of June 15:

Morgan County Emergency Management Agency continues to lead response operations following the Norfolk Southern train derailment in Morgan County. We continue to coordinate with TDEC, EPA, TEMA, local officials, and Norfolk Southern with response activities and protect public health and safety.

Air and water monitoring continue by federal partners and Norfolk Southern contractors. EPA and Norfolk Southern air monitoring has not detected ethanol, and no drinking water issues have been identified at this time. Localized odors may still be noticeable near the river due to the volatile nature of ethanol, but monitoring confirms community air quality remains within safe levels.

As a precaution, TDEC has issued a temporary contact advisory for portions of the Emory River due to the ethanol spill. Visitors should avoid contact with the river in Morgan County near Camp Austin Bridge, the Nemo Picnic Area upstream of the Catoosa Road bridge, and closer to the derailment site near Emory Heights Road until further notice.

The fire is out and continues to be monitored. Trains are moving through the area on one operational track, while derailed cars remain off to the side. Conditions appear stable at this time.

Morgan County EMA will continue working with TDEC, EPA, TEMA, TWRA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Norfolk Southern, and local partners to support environmental monitoring, public safety, response coordination, and remediation oversight. Additional updates will be provided as information becomes available.

Send a message to learn more

06/13/2026

Morgan County Train Derailment Update as of June 13, 2026, 1:30 a.m. ET:

Morgan County emergency officials continue to lead the response to the Norfolk Southern train derailment in the Lancing area, with support from local, state, federal, and private-sector response partners.
There have been no reported injuries, and at this time, there is no active threat to the public.
Based on monitoring being conducted, there is nothing for the public to be concerned about. EPA community monitoring had no findings.
Crews are continuing response and recovery work, including debris removal, railway repairs, environmental monitoring, and water sampling. Preventative measures are also being used to help protect water quality, including a boom on the river and aeration devices to help maintain normal oxygen levels.

What the public can expect:

Response and recovery work is expected to continue for several days. Because the derailment site is in a remote area with limited access, heavy equipment and response vehicles may be moving in and out of the area.
There may be intermittent road closures or delays while equipment is brought in, offloaded, and used near the site.
Please continue to avoid the area so emergency crews and response partners can work safely.
Additional updates will be shared as response and recovery operations continue.

06/12/2026

Update on the Morgan County Train Derailment as of June 12, 2026, 10:00 a.m. ET:

Morgan County emergency officials continue to lead response operations for the Norfolk Southern train derailment in the Lancing area, with support from neighboring emergency management agencies, state and federal partners, Norfolk Southern, and response contractors.
The fire at the derailment site is still ongoing, and crews remain active in the area. The site is remote and has limited access, which continues to make response and cleanup operations challenging.
Air monitoring was conducted overnight by Norfolk Southern contractors, and there have been no findings. EPA and TDEC personnel are also on the ground to monitor conditions and support air monitoring efforts. At this time, there is nothing for the public to be concerned about.
Cleanup operations are beginning in phases after the National Transportation Safety Board reviewed footage and approved cleanup activities for some of the train cars. Not all cars will be cleaned up immediately. Cleanup is expected to take several days and could last up to a week.
Because of the remote location and the heavy machinery needed for cleanup, there may be intermittent road closures while equipment is brought in and offloaded. Please avoid the affected area and follow guidance from local officials.
The evacuation center at Central High School has been closed because no residents reported there.
Public safety remains our top priority. We will continue to provide updates as response and cleanup operations progress.

06/10/2026

Morgan County is lucky to have such an important resource with the K9 team of MCCX! We appreciate all of the hard work and dedication that goes into this team.

The Morgan County Correctional Complex K-9 team recently helped local law enforcement find a missing woman.

Officers Scott Johnston and Bobby Schubert, along with K-9 Tucker, responded to a request for assistance and successfully located the woman. Medical personnel responded to the scene, provided emergency aid, and transported her to a local hospital for further treatment.

Thank you to Officers Johnston and Schubert and K-9 Tucker for their professionalism, teamwork, and commitment to helping others.

05/30/2026

⚠️ THIS ALERT IS NO LONGER ACTIVE OR HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED BY ANOTHER ALERT ⚠️

Flash Flood Warning issued May 30 at 12:44PM EDT until May 30 at 12:45PM EDT by NWS Morristown TN

SUMMARY:
--------
The heavy rain has ended. Flooding is no longer expected to pose a
threat. Please continue to heed remaining road closures.

A Flood Watch remains in effect until 200 PM EDT for portions of
southwest North Carolina and east Tennessee.

AFFECTS: Morgan, TN

INSTRUCTION: [None]

URL TO CAMPAIGN DETAILS (WITH UP-TO-DATE WEATHER ALERT DETAILS):
https://hrpow.us/cWskFNz

URGENCY: Immediate

SEVERITY: Severe

CERTAINTY: Likely

EFFECTIVE DATE: 5/30/26 12:44 PM EST

EXPIRATION DATE: 5/30/26 12:45 PM EST

FULL ALERT TEXT:
----------------
The heavy rain has ended. Flooding is no longer expected to pose a
threat. Please continue to heed remaining road closures.

A Flood Watch remains in effect until 200 PM EDT for portions of
southwest North Carolina and east Tennessee.

See the full message w/ attachments at:
https://hrpow.us/cWskFNz