The CDC reports very high influenza activity in the Tri-Cities region, with Tennessee at the highest nationwide level and Virginia also experiencing very high flu activity, leading to increased doctor visits for flu-like symptoms.
Swimmer's itch, a skin rash caused by parasites from infected snails, has been reported in the Tri-Cities area along the Columbia River. It is not contagious and typically resolves on its own, but precautions such as avoiding marshy areas and showering after swimming are recommended.
This weekend in the Tri-Cities, Tennessee/Virginia area, there are various events happening, including the Johnson City Junction Days with poetry readings, movie showings, and pop-up vendors, the final Border Bash featuring live music and children's activities, the Bristol Food Truck Park Back to School Bash offering food and giveaways of school supplies, the Bristol Motor Speedway Employee Garage Sale, the Michael Waltrip Bristol Sunshine Festival with a car show and live music, and the Crumley House Polynesian Beach Party as a fundraiser. Other events include Paws & Pints, Tweetsie Trail Jams, and Covered Bridge Jams.
School systems in the Tri-Cities area are dismissing early due to the potential for severe weather, including tornado watches in Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee. Multiple school districts, including Carter County, Greene County, Greeneville City, Johnson City, Kingsport City, Norton City, Sullivan County, and Washington County Tennessee, are dismissing early, with some canceling after-school activities.
The Tri-Cities in Tennessee and Virginia are gearing up for Fourth of July celebrations, with various events and fireworks displays taking place from July 1 to July 4. Highlights include the Pepsi Independence Day Fireworks Celebration in Johnson City, the Red, White & Boom fireworks celebration in Kingsport, the American Downtown Celebration in Greeneville, the Believe in Bristol's Independence Day Celebration in Bristol, and the Jonesborough Days festival in Jonesborough. Other towns such as Elizabethton, Bluff City, Abingdon, Erwin, Mountain City, Unicoi, and Norton will also be hosting their own Independence Day festivities.
The Tri-Cities area in Tennessee and Virginia is hosting a variety of events this weekend, including the Thirsty Orange Beer Festival, the Hear Me Roar fundraiser at Brights Zoo, the Appalachian Antique Farm Show & Farmer’s Reunion, and the Jesus Fest in Elizabethton. Other events include a golf tournament to benefit Appalachian Tails Rescue, the Spring Garden Fair, and the Kingsport Farmers Market opening for the season.
The Tri-Cities area can expect mostly cloudy skies with a chance of showers and thunderstorms this afternoon, with some storms potentially becoming strong to severe with damaging wind, small hail, and locally heavy rainfall. The temperature will fall into the mid-60s this afternoon, and the area can expect gusty winds throughout the week. There is a chance of showers and thunderstorms on Friday and Saturday.
Thunderstorms and strong winds hit the Tri-Cities area over the weekend, causing damage to homes, roadways, and power outages. Viewer photos show the extent of the storm damage, including fallen trees and trampolines blown away by the wind.