THREE people have been killed in the Chattanooga floods as torrential rainfall prompted a state of emergency in the county.

Over six inches of rain brought flash floods that swept through southeastern Tennessee on Tuesday, shutting down a major interstate as first responders jumped into action with water rescues.

Two adults and a child were killed in the severe weather early on Wednesday morning, the Chattanooga Fire Department confirmed.

The floodwater broke a large tree that fell on a car, killing the three people inside.

The victims have yet to be identified, but officials confirmed the three killed were a mother, father, and child, according to the Associated Press.

Officials said the search is continuing for a man who went missing while walking through the flood waters and hasn’t been seen since.

Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp declared a local state of emergency on Tuesday night and urged people to be careful.

Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly begged residents to stay home in the terrifying weather.

“Emergency management experts are telling us to brace for more high water and dangerous conditions today as more rain falls,” Kelly said on Wednesday.

“For the sake of our first responders, I’m asking everyone to use caution when getting around today and no matter what do NOT drive through flooded streets.”

Water continues to rise on roads as drain systems were overwhelmed with 6.41 inches of rain on Tuesday, which is the city’s second-wettest day on record, according to the National Weather Service.

CFD reported conducting dozens of water rescues, including helping people trapped in their homes and cars as water levels quickly rose.

Pictures and videos posted on social media by the CFD showed emergency crews getting people out of floating cars.

Several cars were seen floating, and a trailer truck appeared to be stuck in the muddy water near Interstate 24.

The massive highway reopened at around 10 pm on Tuesday night after the waters receded, CFD said.

A flood watch is in effect for Wednesday, the NWS said.

At least one storm shelter has been opened to help Chattanoogans who were forced out of their homes by the flooding.