A torrential downpour over the course of a single day has decimated central Tennessee. Thus far 22 people have been declared dead and dozens of others are still missing. The flash floods poured from the sky delivering the area's biggest rainfall in a 24-hour period in history, reported The Tennesseean.
This disaster adds to growing fires, crushing drought and oppressive heat as Hurricane Henri bears down on New England. The storm came from the northwest and moved southeast across the area, growing in strength over the area.
Here is a MRMS reflectivity loop covering the duration of the western Middle Tennessee flash flood event this morning.pic.twitter.com/lnlcmzof3v— Randy Bowers (@Randy Bowers) 1629572484
Reports of 10+ inches of rainfall this morning, with rain continuing to fall, has created a life-threatening flash flood situation across western Middle Tennessee.\n\nFlash Flood Warnings and a Flash Flood Emergency continue. Avoid travel and seek higher ground in these areas!pic.twitter.com/p93DxTzR5u— NWS Nashville (@NWS Nashville) 1629555212
"Between 8 and 15 inches of rain fell across Houston, Humphreys, Dickson and Hickman counties, according to the National Weather Service," the report cited. "In McEwen, located in Humphreys County, 14.5 inches of rain fell over 12 hours, according to the Tennessee Valley Authority. Local totals may approach 17 inches as more reports come in."
The Miami Herald reported that musician Loretta Lynn was safe after her ranch was caught in the flooding but her foreman is still missing.
"An unheard-of, astronomical type of statistic," characterized Krissy Hurley, warning coordination meteorologist for NWS Nashville.
It was just four months ago that Nashville experienced heavy flooding when the area had more than seven inches of rain in 48 hours. This flood was more than twice the rain in half the time.
To help those in need you can donate locally to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, Nashville's Community Resource Center updated its Amazon wish list, or the Humane Society of Tennessee.
See the shocking videos and photos below:
Assessing the damage in Waverlywww.youtube.com
Tennessee Flooding Leaves At Least 10 Dead And Dozens Missingwww.youtube.com
Almost 2 feet of rain in a single day swallows up portions of Middle Tennessee with rivers cresting at almost 10 feet above major flood stage. #Tennessee #Floodpic.twitter.com/pxb9qwyPvC— Michael Evon (@Michael Evon) 1629618512
Saturday afternoon on Hwy 70 in McEwen, TN. TDot crews were all over the place getting to work and I saw crews from CSX as well. #TennesseeFloodpic.twitter.com/4AS9kUZ8LE— Steve Smith (@Steve Smith) 1629639351
| NEW: Floods in Tennessee have left at least 16 deadpic.twitter.com/47qew1foUV— News For All (@News For All) 1629671840
The Tennessee National Guard was deployed to Humphreys County to assist residents\u00a0after 15 inches of rain the area on Saturday,\u00a0killing 10 people & leaving 31 missing.\nPrayers for all the families here in my home State. \n#Tennessee #Flood #flashfloodpic.twitter.com/tT20eeP89C— \u223cMarietta (@\u223cMarietta) 1629639059
The death toll has risen to 22 from yesterday\u2019s floods in Tennessee. At least 60 people are missing. A video shows the aftermath:pic.twitter.com/TbpxZ8PmYS— PM Breaking News (@PM Breaking News) 1629672371
Watch: The death toll has risen to 16 and dozens are still missing after flash floods caused devastation in Central Tennessee. https://nyti.ms/2WiyHHS\u00a0pic.twitter.com/WGtNJ0j7ha— The New York Times (@The New York Times) 1629652111
Tennessee storms yesterday, you\u2019d swear the floods had a score to settle with cars. Hopefully the affected families get all the help they needpic.twitter.com/rfw9WG9CBz— Bumble Bee\ud83d\udc1d (@Bumble Bee\ud83d\udc1d) 1629664096
This is Scott Kilburn.\n\nHe is from Waverly, Tennessee.\n\nDuring the flood yesterday he jumped into the raging water to try and save an elderly lady caught in it's flow. The water pulled him under and he lost his life. He died trying to save a stranger. He died a hero.pic.twitter.com/2cwSNnov3A— \ud83d\udc1dSanta Vol \ud83c\udf4a\ud83c\udfc8\ud83c\udf85\ud83d\udc1d (@\ud83d\udc1dSanta Vol \ud83c\udf4a\ud83c\udfc8\ud83c\udf85\ud83d\udc1d) 1629632524
Just in: At least 21 deaths have now been confirmed amid extreme flooding in Waverly, according to the Humphreys County sheriff\u2019s office. The city\u2019s mayor says 50+ people are missing.pic.twitter.com/PG4m17Ol4j— Josh Breslow (@Josh Breslow) 1629661618
I know we're in the midst of a summer of flood, fires, and heat, but I feel like the fact that Tennessee just saw its biggest 24-hour rainfall ever and is reeling should be bigger than "just another regional news" story https://www.tennessean.com/story/weather/2021/08/21/middle-tennessee-flash-floods-deaths-triggered-by-heavy-rain/8227696002/\u00a0\u2026pic.twitter.com/nGM7S5hJEh— Brian Kahn (@Brian Kahn) 1629654477
BREAKING: Death toll rises in 22 in the Middle Tennessee floods, with dozens still missing https://weather.com/news/news/2021-08-22-tennessee-flooding-toll-rises\u00a0\u2026pic.twitter.com/gQfU1Dmuzf— Sean Breslin (@Sean Breslin) 1629666233
The damage from flash floods in #Tennessee has been devastating. See how people are dealing with the aftermath. #Flooding #Tennesseefloodingpic.twitter.com/ucrzCsky2h— RADIO LIM\u00d3N (@RADIO LIM\u00d3N) 1629669021
A flash flood has devastated Central Tennessee causing deaths of at least 10 people. 40 remain missing. DETAILS: https://bit.ly/384sXV0\u00a0pic.twitter.com/MhBb9SnDrx— Complex (@Complex) 1629650297
i know the floods in tennessee just west of nashville will not be everywhere because they were poor communities but my god these places were devastated. 17 inches of rain in 24 hours with no warning.pic.twitter.com/HLfZwDuCkR— RyneHambright (@RyneHambright) 1629643952
Y'all please keep middle Tennessee in your thoughts. We're experiencing more rain than usual in some areas. We had a town flood today and we're expecting more storms tonight.pic.twitter.com/VO4qyoz7RO— NorseyKelsey (@NorseyKelsey) 1629595113
From the flood in 2010 of my neighborhood... I had never seen such a turnout of volunteers as i did then. #Tennessee time to set politics aside and start the effort that i saw in 2010pic.twitter.com/NKfO1PJsN0— clint otis (@clint otis) 1629671208
