A number of Marion County’s rural roads have been closed due to flooding from two weeks’ worth of rain and other severe weather; but Marion County’s engineer says drivers should be cautious even when roads are open.

Tyler Christian says some roads have recovered from the effects of winter, but there could still be some soft spots left over from the season or new problems caused by the rainfall.

He tells KNIA/KRLS News drivers should navigate these roads carefully, putting aside any distractions and paying close attention to where they’re going.

“Be cognizant that we have had some severe weather, some heavy rain events; and a normal gravel road may be okay for the first mile, but the next mile gets a little hillier and there may be some washing along the edge of the roads,” Christian says.

“On gravel roads, sometimes the wheel track will pick up some water and start running; so if we haven’t been there immediately after a rain storm to blade that yet, just be paying attention that there may be some gullies and rutting going on.”

Christian says many closed roads get shut down by flooding on a regular basis; some of them have gates and signs mounted and ready to go for when this happens.

Other problems may not be apparent right away; Christian says the Road Department has over 800 miles of roadway to deal with, and making repairs takes time. He says drivers or homeowners who see a particular problem are encouraged to report it to the department, so they can tend it it as soon as they can.

You can find out more about Marion County’s roads on today’s edition of Let’s Talk Knoxville.