Heavy rain floods roads in East Tenn.

By The Associated Press

CHATTANOOGA (AP) — Heavy rain that slowed the morning commute in East Tennessee cities and flooded some roads has largely pushed eastward.

By noon Tuesday, National Weather Service radar showed most precipitation was in the North Carolina mountains.

A slow-moving cold front nudged the rainclouds along, but let them drop plenty of rain from east of Nashville through the rest of the state.

Localized flooding delayed the start of classes in some school districts. At Central High School in Chattanooga, students were sent home. Jeremy Heidt of the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency said there were reports of minor power outages, some flooded streets and a mudslide.

Streets flooded in several parts of Knoxville after nearly 24 hours of steady rain.

The Red Cross said it was helping a Knox County family after rising water forced them out of their home. They were temporarily taken to a motel.

In Monroe County, a rescue was reported after the vehicle stalled in high water.

There were reports of up to 7 inches of rain in the region and readings of 5 inches were common on the Cumberland Plateau.

Forecasters said clear and cool weather would prevail into the weekend with highs in the 70s and some low readings down into the mid-40s.