SEVIER COUNTY, Tenn. (WVLT) – Sevier County authorities have spent the overnight hours evacuating residents around the Little Pigeon River due to rising flood waters.

Chief Gary West from the Pigeon Forge Fire Department tells Volunteer TV News that about 25 homes along the Little Pigeon River in Wears Valley and Walden Creek were evacuated late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning.

Nine evacuees were taken to the Pigeon Forge Community Center where Red Cross volunteers set up shelter. Officials said the other evacuees went to local motels or the homes of family and friends.

The Pigeon Forge Fire Department has about 40 people out working to put up barricades and help rescue anyone who becomes stranded. They are receiving assistance from several volunteer fire departments across Sevier County.

Chief West also confirmed that Gatlinburg was also dealing with flooding. He said that the bridge on Greystone Heights Road, which is front of Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, is nearly flooded over. The bridge spans one of the forks of the Little Pigeon River and by early Wednesday morning, rain had raised the water level to more than six feet. That left it just six inches away from washing over the bridge.

There have also been reports of rock and mudslides in Sevier County around the Jones Cove area.

Union County reports flooding on the roads, as do officials in Blount County, Jefferson County and Monroe County.

Volunteer TV News has a crew on the scene in Pigeon Forge and will bring you the latest on East Tennessee This Morning at 5:30 AM.