Tennessee transportation officials say a rockslide on Interstate 40 near the state line could take at least two weeks to clear and repair before the road can reopen.

Both directions of I-40 remain closed near the North Carolina-Tennessee state line after flooding and a rockslide covered the road with muddy water and debris this past week.

Tennessee’s Department of Transportation said in a Thursday post on X that the closure on I-40 is the same area that was damaged during Hurricane Helene in late September, but the rockslide’s damage “is not as extensive.”

Hurricane Helene produced between one and three feet of rain in parts of the Appalachian Mountains, leading to significant flooding in North Carolina and Tennessee that knocked out roads and power lines. More than 200 deaths were connected to the hurricane and damages have been estimated at about $80 billion.

Mark Nagi, regional communications officer for TDOT-Region 1, said I-40 is closed just east of Exit 451 (Waterville Road) in Cocke County.

In a post on X Thursday, Nagi said a “massive” amount of water was still flowing from the slope as crews worked to clear the roadway.

Nagi said based on the initial assessment of I-40 and the slope, TDOT anticipates it will take at least two weeks for the water to recede, repairs to be made and cleanup to be completed before the interstate can reopen. TDOT officials first announced the possible slide and road closure around 5 p.m. on Wednesday.

Photos and videos from the area showed several inches of muddy water covering the roadway, along with several tractor-trailers and vehicles stopped in the standing water.

In an afternoon press conference on Thursday, Tennessee transportation officials gave an update on the situation and how long the interstate could remain closed.

“I can tell you at this point, what we feel like is we have a goal of getting the interstate reopened in the next two weeks,” said TDOT Chief Engineer Will Reid. “However, we do have a significant amount of work to do down here at the interchange at 451. I think that’s going to take a little bit longer, but we will give you more information on that as it becomes available.”

The National Weather Service told TDOT that 2.5 to 3.5 inches of rain fell in a short amount of time on Wednesday. The rain had an impact, creating four slides, including the largest one on the interstate.

Contractors doing Hurricane Helene repairs helped with getting people to safety and are now helping with the repairs from the rockslide on I-40. Repairs could cost $500,000, according to officials.

Authorities said no injuries are reported, despite one home being flooded and a number of trapped vehicles in the mud on the interstate.

People living in the area have alternate routes and crews are removing mud and debris from the road.

“Our survey team is utilizing drones to get an accurate picture of the area and assess damages. Right now, we expect this stretch of I-40 to be closed for at least two weeks. Commercial and thru traffic should use I-81 to I-26 or I-81 to I-77 detour routes. This is the same route utilized during the I-40 closure for Hurricane Helene,” TDOT said on Thursday on X.

I-40 reopened one lane in each direction in March after flooding and mudslides through the Pigeon River Gorge because of Hurricane Helene closed the roadway for five months.

The closure rerouted traffic through Asheville and smaller western North Carolina towns, causing daily traffic backups.