Water Damage Restoration in Knoxville, TN

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Metro Atlanta residents were startled on Saturday morning as an earthquake from Tennessee shook several nearby states.

The quake’s epicenter was near Greenback, about 30 miles southwest of Knoxville. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), it happened at 9:04 a.m. and had an estimated magnitude of 4.1.

EN ESPAÑOL: Sismo de magnitud 4.1 sacude Tennessee, norte de Georgia y Carolina del Norte

People from all over metro Atlanta have called Atlanta News First, saying the quake shook their homes.

Earthquakes aren’t necessarily uncommon across Georgia, as minor tremors have been reported at least a dozen times across the state since 2020 — three of which were in or around north Georgia.

No local governments have reported damage from the earthquake.

USGS Research Geophysicist William Yeck said the quake happened in the Eastern Tennessee Seismic Zone, which is made up of several small, deep fault lines. This earthquake’s epicenter was about 20 kilometers, or 12 miles, below the ground.

“We do expect for earthquakes to happen here, so we know they can happen, but they just happen so rarely that people just aren’t used to experiencing them,” he said.

More than 40,000 people called the USGS to report the earthquake, even as far south as Macon. Yeck said earthquakes in the eastern U.S. tend to travel further than those in the west because the rock is older and denser, acting as a better carrier for seismic waves.

The USGS says there’s a 5% chance of an aftershock with a magnitude of 4 or larger in the next week.

This is a developing story. Check back with Atlanta News First as we learn more.

Copyright 2025 WANF. All rights reserved.

ATLANTA — A 4.1-magnitude earthquake in Tennessee woke up families and rattled homes as far away as Atlanta as it spread tremors across portions of the southern U.S. on Saturday morning. No injuries or major damage were immediately reported.

The website for USGS said the earthquake originated shortly after 9 a.m. EDT about 12 miles from Greenback, Tennessee, which is about 30 miles south of Knoxville.

More than 23,000 reports from the public were received by USGS in the first hour after the earthquake, USGS spokeswoman Ayesha Davis told The Associated Press in an email. Meteorologists at television news stations serving Georgia and North Carolina reported feeling the tremors as well.

There is a 5% chance of a magnitude 4 or larger aftershock in the next week, according to USGS.

Gabriela Reilly was making waffles with her husband when they felt their entire home shake in Braselton, Georgia, which is northeast of Atlanta.

“Our ceiling fan started shaking for about 10 seconds,” she said. “I thought a giant aircraft had flown low right over the neighborhood, but my husband said, ‘No, that was definitely an earthquake!’”

Jason Pack was still in bed at his home outside Knoxville when he felt the walls shaking and heard a rumbling that was loud enough to wake up his family and for the dog to start barking.

“In east Tennessee, you’re used to tornadoes and floods, that kind of thing,” Pack said. “It’s unusual to have an earthquake.”

Pack has experienced tremors before, although this one is probably the strongest he’s felt in Tennessee.

“Even though this one was small, it’s a good reminder — if it had been a big quake, would you know what to do? Drop, cover, and hold on if you’re inside,” said Pack, a retired FBI agent who now works in crisis communications. “Stay clear of buildings if you’re outside.”

Damage does not usually occur from earthquakes until they reach a magnitude of somewhere above 4 or 5, according to USGS, although it depends on variables such as building construction, soil and distance from the epicenter.

The southeastern U.S. carries a significant earthquake risk, particularly around the New Madrid Seismic Zone to the west and in the East Tennessee Seismic Zone, which is where Saturday’s earthquake occurred, said Davis.

Since 1950, 15 other earthquakes of magnitude 4 or larger have occurred within 155 miles (250 kilometers) of Saturday’s earthquake, Davis said. The largest of those was a magnitude 4.7 earthquake near Knoxville in November 1973.

More recently, two tremors struck the seismic zone in December 2018. One was a 4.4 magnitude earthquake that was centered in Decatur, Tennessee, which is south of Knoxville. It shook homes as far away as Atlanta.

Another earthquake struck a few days later with a magnitude of 3.0. Its epicenter was about two miles (four kilometers) southeast of Mascot, near Knoxville. It also was felt in parts of Georgia, Kentucky and North Carolina.

Seismic waves from earthquakes spread more efficiently in the Eastern U.S. compared to the West because of the region’s geology, Davis said.

“Earthquakes in the East are felt over a much larger distance and by more people,” she said.

The Associated Press

The Associated Press

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Just after 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, an earthquake was felt across East Tennessee.

United States Geological Survey originally reported a 3.5 magnitude earthquake, then updated the report to a 4.1 magnitude.

Based off of the preliminary report from USGS, the earthquake was felt as far as Atlanta, Ga. The agency also forecasted a 23% chance for an aftershock, which could happen in the coming week.

The epicenter is reported to be out of Blount County. As far as damage, the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s Mark Nagi said they had no reports of damaged roads, but would be inspecting bridges throughout the next few weeks as a precaution.

Rural Metro Fire’s Jeff Bagwell said there was a brief gas leak in West Knox County, but that was the only call they responded to because of the earthquake.

Blount County Emergency Management Agency Director Lance Coleman said there were no reports of injuries or damage across the county, but they did receive lots of phone calls.

WVLT News spoke with a Tennessee Valley Authority representative as well, who said the only dam that saw enough movement to require inspection was Fontana Dam, which saw no issues.

WVLT News also reached out to multiple attractions in Sevier County. Dollywood, Wilderness in the Smokies and The Island in Pigeon Forge each reported no damage to any of their rides or attractions.

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency said it is working with local, regional and state partners to determine impacts and any needs following the earthquake. As of 11 a.m., officials said there haven’t been any reports of damage or injuries.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park said a portion of Foothills Parkway West was shut down from the earthquake and will remain closed until it is inspected by the Federal Highway Administration.

Viewers have submitted several videos of the earthquake across East Tennessee. Click here to submit your pictures and video.

This is a developing story.

Copyright 2025 WVLT. All rights reserved.

To some sports fans in America, soccer can feel far from home. But for the recently announced One Knoxville SC women's team, debuting May 10 at Covenant Health Park, soccer is deeply personal. It's uniquely Knoxville.

There's something different about the women's One Knox team compared to its male counterpart; the women's team has deep Knoxville roots. Nearly 75% of the members of the women's squad have ties to the area, whether they were born and raised here or play for the University of Tennessee at Knoxville women's soccer team.

For comparison, just one player has Knoxville ties on the men's team, with most of the roster hailing from other countries.

The women play in the W-League of the United Soccer League, whose USL League One has featured the men's One Knox club since the team jumped to the pro ranks after its inaugural 2022 season.

While Covenant Health Park's primary tenant is the Knoxville Smokies baseball team, the One Knox men's and women's teams will play a combined 23 home matches at the new Old City stadium − 17 men's games and six women's games.

Forming the women's team has been a fast-moving process. One Knox announced the team in March, but conversations about starting the club and subsequently recruiting a head coach and players began in January.

These One Knoxville SC women grew up playing soccer in Knoxville

Simon Duffy, head coach for the One Knox women's team, also is the head coach of Carson-Newman University's women's soccer team. Duffy moved here from Ireland in 1999 to play soccer for Lambuth University in Jackson.

One Knox women's soccer coach 'made the right decision' moving to TN

Duffy remembers the first time his feet touched U.S. soil after stepping off a plane at the Memphis airport, nerves swirling. He turned the corner to see 10 of his future teammates holding a Lambuth University banner.

"Immediately, I was like all right. I made the right decision. This is this is going to be great," Duffy told Knox News.

For the past two decades Duffy has been working to elevate the soccer culture and players in Tennessee the best he knows how. It's sometimes difficult for people in this region to buy into soccer, Duffy said, even though they eagerly buy into American football.

Soccer is on a different level in Europe − almost "like a religion," Duffy said. Knoxville is positioned to apply its passion for sports like football and baseball to the One Knox women's team, he said, especially since most of the players are homegrown.

Women's soccer players from Knoxville, UT get acclimated to One Knox

Kate Runyon is a forward for the University of Tennessee and made the 2023 SEC All-Freshman team. Ally Zazzara is a goalkeeper for the Vols, ranking 10th all time in career saves for the program.

But it was Norah Jacomen, a Butler University player and Hardin Valley Academy graduate, who was the first player signed to the One Knox women's team. After playing her last Knoxville game two years ago at Hardin Valley, she's returning to the city to play for thousands at Covenant Health Park.

Jacomen sat in a suite at the new stadium May 7, watching the Earthadelic crew lay sod over the baseball diamond. She knew in a few days she would play her first game for her new team at the new stadium, but she couldn't quite picture how the pitch would be positioned.

"Is it this way?" she asked, motioning toward left field.

Local connections will make One Knox women 'really special to watch'

The women's team had its first-ever practice earlier this week, and some players won't be available for the first game May 10.

"We're still figuring things out," Jacomen said. "So, if it doesn't look pretty, just be ready."

Even if the team has some growing pains, she said, there's something remarkable about watching players with Knoxville ties rally under a new city-focused identity.

"You're not just watching people from other countries or states coming together. Like, these are people who've grown up here, probably played for the club teams that your children are playing on," Jacomen said. "I think it's just because we're all from here. I think it makes it really special to watch."

The One Knox women's team takes the field at Covenant Health Park at 4 p.m. May 10 against Asheville City.

Joanna Hayes is the restaurant and retail reporter. Email: joanna.hayes@knoxnews.com. | Sign up for the free Eat65 newsletter

Support strong local journalism by subscribing at subscribe.knoxnews.com.

Thursday afternoon and evening, May 1, will bring more severe weather to East Tennessee.

The storms could bring hail, damaging winds and a threat of flash flooding to the region, according to the National Weather Service. Gusts of wind up to 60 miles per hour and quarter-sized hail are possible.

There is also a slight chance for tornados along the northern Cumberland Plateau.

Tennesse is not the only state expected to receive adverse weather on Thursday. Thunderstorms are expected all across the eastern half of the United States, spreading into the Ohio and Mississippi Valleys.

Here's what to expect and how to stay safe.

When could there be severe weather in East Tennessee?

The National Weather Service forecasts that the severe weather could happen from the "late afternoon hours to around midnight." There should be minimal weather activity overnight.

Why is damaging wind a threat?

Damaging winds, or straight-line winds, are classified as those exceeding 50-60 mph, according to the National Weather Service. They're a threat because of the damage they can cause.

These winds may knock down trees and blow around loose objects, which could turn into dangerous projectiles. High winds may even cause power outages or building damage.

How to stay safe in severe thunderstorms

The best way to stay safe during a severe thunderstorm is to go inside. Find shelter and stay there until the storm runs its course, according to the National Weather Service.

If you're caught outdoors during the storm, get into a hardtop car to wait out the weather. However, avoid driving through severe thunderstorms. Consider pulling over or delaying travel until its safe to hit the road again.

Knoxville weather radar