4 dead after record rains in Nashville cause flash flooding
NASHVILLE – A heavy downpour of rain across the state caused flash floods and led to the deaths of at least four people in Nashville and the rescue of dozens of others, officials said.
Nashville recorded nearly 6 inches of rain Saturday night with another inch falling after midnight quickly filling streets and overrunning creeks and rivers. The National Weather Service declared a flash flood emergency overnight for Nashville, Brentwood, Franklin and Mt. Juliet.
“Major flash flooding is occurring with numerous roads, interstates, and homes flooded with water rescues ongoing,” the agency said on social media. “Please stay home and do not travel!”
As the water receded Sunday, first responders were called at 5 a.m. to find a 70-year-old man dead inside a sedan that was in a creek behind a Walmart, WKRN reported.
Nashville Metro Police said a second flood victim was found around 7:30 a.m. near the Nashboro Village Golf Course. A 65-year-old man appeared to have drowned after being swept away by fast-moving water after he got out of his car when the vehicle crashed into a culvert, WKRN reported.
Police said a 46-year-old woman and a 64-year-old man were found dead around 9:30 a.m. near a homeless camp in a wooded area by the Wentworth-Caldwell Park.
Cars stranded in a Walmart parking lot on Nolensville Pike in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, March 28, 2021. Heavy rain across Tennessee flooded homes and roads early Sunday, prompting officials to rescue numerous people from houses, apartments and vehicles as a line of severe storms crossed the state. (Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean via AP)
Cars are seen submerged on I-24 under Antioch Pike in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, March 28, 2021. Nashville faced flash flood conditions after rainfall in the last 24 hours reached 5 to 8 inches in places, according to the National Weather Service. (Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean via AP)
Residents try to unblock a drainage ditch that feeds into Sevenmile Creek Sunday, March 28, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. Flash flooding along Sevenmile Creek the night before caused major damage in the South Nashville neighborhood. (George Walker IV/The Tennessean via AP)
A car that was carried by floodwaters leans against a tree in a creek Sunday, March 28, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. Heavy rain across Tennessee flooded homes and roads as a line of severe storms crossed the state. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Brian Wolff collects retrieves his kayak from down the street Sunday, March 28, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. Flash flooding along Sevenmile Creek the night before caused major damage in the South Nashville neighborhood. (George Walker IV/The Tennessean via AP)
A vehicle passes a utility building that was carried onto a street by floodwaters Sunday, March 28, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. Heavy rain across Tennessee flooded homes and roads as a line of severe storms crossed the state. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Emergency personnel stage for a call of people stranded in the water on Antioch Pike in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, March 28, 2021. Heavy rain across Tennessee flooded homes and roads early Sunday, prompting officials to rescue numerous people from houses, apartments and vehicles as a line of severe storms crossed the state. (Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean via AP)
A car is seen submerged on I-24 under Antioch Pike in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, March 28, 2021. Heavy rain across Tennessee flooded homes and roads early Sunday, prompting officials to rescue numerous people from houses, apartments and vehicles as a line of severe storms crossed the state. (Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean via AP)
Emergency personnel stage for a call of people stranded in the water on Antioch Pike in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, March 28, 2021. Heavy rain across Tennessee flooded homes and roads early Sunday, prompting officials to rescue numerous people from houses, apartments and vehicles as a line of severe storms crossed the state. (Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean via AP)
Emergency personnel stage for a call of people stranded in the water on Antioch Pike in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, March 28, 2021. Nashville faced flash flood conditions after rainfall in the last 24 hours reached 5 to 8 inches in places, according to the National Weather Service. (Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean via AP)
A group of soldiers from Fort Campbell stand on dry ground after being trapped in their vehicle on Antioch Pike for around two hours in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, March 28, 2021. Nashville faced flash flood conditions after rainfall in the last 24 hours reached 5 to 8 inches in places, according to the National Weather Service. (Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean via AP)
A truck drives through water on the road Sunday, March 28, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. Heavy rain across Tennessee late Saturday and early Sunday flooded homes and roads as a line of severe storms crossed the state. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
People work on freeing themselves from submerged vehicles on Antioch Pike in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, March 28, 2021. Heavy rain across Tennessee flooded homes and roads early Sunday, prompting officials to rescue numerous people from houses, apartments and vehicles as a line of severe storms crossed the state. (Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean via AP)
Adam Wirdzek stops to look at a utility building that was carried down a flooded creek Sunday, March 28, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. Heavy rain across Tennessee flooded homes and roads as a line of severe storms crossed the state. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
A car rests in a ravine along Blackman Dr. near Edmondson Pike Sunday, March 28, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. Flash flooding along Sevenmile Creek the night before caused major damage in the South Nashville neighborhood. (George Walker IV/The Tennessean via AP)
Emergency personnel stage for a call of people stranded in the water on Antioch Pike in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, March 28, 2021. Heavy rain across Tennessee flooded homes and roads early Sunday, prompting officials to rescue numerous people from houses, apartments and vehicles as a line of severe storms crossed the state.(Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean via AP)
The Nashville Fire Department said it rescued at least 130 people from cars, apartments and homes. About 40 dogs were moved from a Nashville boarding kennel to another location.
In Williamson County, 18 homes in one neighborhood were evacuated and first responders carried out 34 water rescues.
A portion of Interstate 40 was temporarily closed because of high water that stranded a vehicle and its driver. The driver was able to get out of the vehicle and get to safety, the Tennessee Highway Patrol said.
More flooding is still forecast for two Tennessee rivers. The Harpeth River near Kingston Springs is expected to crest about 20 feet above flood stage on Sunday night, according to weather officials. The Duck River in Centerville is forecast to crest about 17 feet above flood stage Monday morning.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
