ERWIN, Tenn. (AP) -- Heavy rain in the mountains buoyed whitewater rafting on the Nolichucky River and temporarily stranded some campers.

The river rose from a trickle to a torrent after the remnants of Hurricane Fay lumbered through the mountains this week.

The region has been in a severe drought.

The Johnson City Press reported that heavy rain on the North Carolina side of the divide on Tuesday brought the water level of the Nolichucky up sharply.

The high water flooded a road leading to Nolichucky Campground near Erwin and, for about 3 hours, more than a dozen people couldn't leave.

Outfitter USA Raft had been reduced to one-person inflatables because the river had been running so low.

Company manager John Hardy said the rain will allow use of seven-person rafts from Poplar, N.C., to the Nolichucky Gorge for about two weeks, even if no more rain falls.

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