A Storm 5 Alert was issued for this weekend as strong storms and flooding hit the area.
Three rounds of storms hit between Friday and Saturday evening. On Saturday, our area was placed under a Flash Flood Watch till 4 a.m. Sunday.
Two counties called off school for Monday as of 10 p.m. Sunday night. Both Hickman County and Decatur County said they would be closed. You can find the complete list of school closings by clicking here.
The main threat to a majority of our area on Saturday was flooding. Many roadways were reported to have water standing as creeks and rivers also crested.
Photos: Storms, Flooding Hit Middle Tennessee
Photos and reports came in from multiple counties of roads that were impassable and creeks that had rushing currents.
In Rutherford County on Saturday, authorities said several roads had closed, including Elam Mill at the slab, County Farm Road, Thompson at Armstrong Valley Road, Stones River at the slab, Mount Herman at Weeks Road, the 5300 block of Epps Mill Road, and the 4300 block of Elam Road and Mount Herman at Bradyville. Several other roadways were listed as impassable.
On Sunday, they warned county roads in Rutherford County were still affected by flood waters.
Officials reminded the public to "turn around, don't drown."
Authorities in Nashville released the following list of roads that were barricaded and closed on Saturday:
- Culbertson Road in Antioch
- Bluff Road in Antioch
- Old Glenrose Avenue in Antioch
- Newsom Station Road in Bellevue
Officials added they were monitoring other areas that included Stewart’s Ferry Pike and Old Harding Road.
Scattered showers passed through our region Sunday, which brought additional chances for flash flooding. With an excess amount of rain, the ground cannot handle much more, which makes flooding happen easier.
The Harpeth River caused several road closures in Franklin.
Police closed Lewisburg Pike from Stewart Street to Mack Hatcher Parkway around 6 p.m. Saturday. That forced Centennial High School to move its prom from the Carnton Plantation to the Centennial High School gym.
Moran Road and Old Natchez Trace were also closed Saturday due to flash flooding.
On Sunday, officials in Franklin urged citizens to use caution around Harpeth River flooding.
Officials in Maury County said a car was swept off the roadway on Gillespie Lane on Saturday. They confirmed another vehicle was found in flood waters on Sunday.
Read more: Water Rescue Conducted In Maury County
Dry Creek was overflowing in that area. Signs were placed to indicate the road was closed to traffic.
The first round hit the area Friday afternoon, prompting a Tornado Warning for parts of Bedford, Cannon, Coffee, and Rutherford Counties.
Significant damage in Shelbyville was reported in the path of that storm. On Saturday, officials with the National Weather Service said the damage in Shelbyville was caused by straight-line winds.
The peak winds in that area at the time of the storm on Friday were measured at 65 to 70 miles per hour. The path of the damage stretched approximately 50 yards. A motel roof was damaged, and reports stated an awning was damaged and a tree was blown over at a nearby school.
Round two hit the region during the overnight hours between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m. Saturday as strong storms and torrential rains passed through the Mid-State.
The third and final round made for a soggy Saturday afternoon and evening with storms hitting the area from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The main concern for each of the storms was flooding and downed trees. Saturated soil will not only flood quicker than dry soil, but it can also allow trees to uproot and topple over much easier than normal.
Hail and strong winds were the secondary concern. A few warnings were also issued for tornadoes, but so far, there have been no reports of confirmed tornadoes from the National Weather Service.
