An elderly woman remained missing after flash flooding stranded dozens at Cummins Falls State Park in Jackson County. The search has now become a recovery effort.
According to Jackson County officials, a total of 35 to 40 people were stranded, including 27 around the falls area, three in middle of water on a small island and ten down stream.
The water rose three feet within three minutes, creating a very dangerous situation for anyone in the area.
Everyone was rescued from the flash flooding except for a 73-year-old woman, who is still missing. Crews called off the search at nightfall and are expected to resume their efforts Thursday morning.
A Tennessee Highway Patrol chopper picked up about nine people from the water.
"If he [THP helicopter] hadn't been in the area, if he hadn't got those first six out of the first nine that we got out, we'd definitely have a different story," said Jackson County EMA Director Keith Bean.
Bean went on to say it was an "unreal" situation and that he's never seen the water rise so quickly there.
