'Somebody … Getting Fired:' Floods Strike Tennessee. But This Trucker Isn’t Going to Let That Stop Their Delivery

"He said I get paid by the load, not the hour!"

Photo by: r35levi & Jacob Townley

By: Steve Ecker

Aug 17, 2025 at 9:00am ET

Add Motor1.com as a preferred source in Google

Comment

A TikTok that’s generated 1.1 million views as of this writing shows a trucker driving through a flash flood on a highway in Tennessee.

Chattanooga, Tennessee, experienced deadly flash floods on Tuesday evening after it got more than six inches of rain. The flooding caused four deaths, the Weather Channel reports, and left people stranded in cars and homes.

Flood Doesn’t Stop This Trucker

Levi's (@r35levi) TikTok shows the rig barrel through a flash flood on Interstate 24 as the "Nothing Beats a Jet2 Holiday" viral sound plays. This sound has been used to infuse chaotic, random, or tragic moments with humor.

The semi's wheels are completely covered by water as the driver pushes through.

Meanwhile, mayhem is taking place all around.

One car is stuck in a whirlpool. Several others are submerged deep in the floodwaters.

“Why is everyone ignoring the car in a WHIRLPOOL?” one TikTok commenter noticed. Levi replied, “Must have been the only area that was actually draining.”

There’s no denying this was a serious natural disaster. Levi’s post and the comments thereon infused some brevity into the horrific flooding, however.

“That one car: you spin me right around baby, right around,” one commenter joked about the car in the whirlpool.

“He said I get paid by the load, not the hour!” another jested about the driver.

“Bro ain’t worried about nothing but getting unloaded on time,” a third replied.

‘Somebody … Getting Fired’

The video is captioned, “Somebody at TDOT and Wright Brothers is getting fired.” TDOT refers to the Tennessee Department of Transportation, and Wright Brothers Construction Company is the company in charge of updating Chattanooga highways where the flooding took place.

According to New England Construction, part of these highway updates include widening lanes, replacing concrete pavement with asphalt, and installing a new storm drainage system.

Some believe that replacing the storm drain system and concrete pavement with asphalt may have gone wrong in the flash flood.

“Spends millions on ‘improving’ I-24 forgets to make it drain,” one commenter opined.

Wright Brothers is replacing the concrete on I-24 with full-depth asphalt.

The debate over which material is better depends on the purpose of the objective. Asphalt is purportedly cheaper and easier to install. Concrete reportedly costs more upfront, but lasts longer and requires less maintenance over time.

“Concrete is more stable than asphalt and is more resistant to damage from natural disasters such as earthquakes and flooding,” per McConnell Associates.

What Should Drivers Do in a Flash Flood?

If you encounter a flash flood while driving, the conventional wisdom holds that you should “turn around, don’t drown.” Turn around and find another way if possible. It could save your life.

If you’re stuck in a flash flood in your vehicle, it’s best to get out as quickly as possible. Unlock the seatbelt quickly and seek higher ground immediately.

What do you think?

View

Comments

The American Safety Council recommends the following if you are trapped inside a sinking car:

Don’t Panic—staying collected in this moment will determine life or death. Resist the urge to open the door as it will be tough to do with water present. Take deep breaths and remain calm.
Unbuckle Seatbelt—allows escape to be possible and have anybody in the car do the same.
Lower The Window—time is scarce in a flash flood and windows can still open unless completely submerged. Break glass if window stops working.
Swim Out Of Your Window—the car door will be very challenging to open for the average person. The window is the best option for escaping the car.
Do Not Cling To Your Car As An Anchor—swim with the flow of the water until you find higher ground you can climb onto and wait for help.

Motor1 has contacted Levi via TikTok direct message and TDOT via email. We contacted Wright Brothers Construction Company through an online submission form. This story will be updated if any party replies.