NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Music City's largest tourist attraction has closed after severe flooding. Water was as deep as ten feet in some parts of the Gaylord Opryland Hotel where a water spilled over a levee on the Cumberland River.
Floods forced the evacuation of nearly 1,500 guests at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel Sunday. They were bused to nearby McGavock High School where they spent the night.
Guests were given blankets and pillows. Some found chairs to sleep on, but most slept on the floor. As visitors looked for ways to return home, hotel workers surveyed the damage.
Repairs have been estimated to cost millions of dollars.
"At the end of the day, we'll bring Opryland back bigger and better," said spokesperson Pete Weien.
Dozens of cars remain completely submerged in the parking lots surrounding the hotel and Opry Mills Mall. People who drove the hotel have become stuck in Nashville without transportation home.
Officials said it could be months before the resort reopens. They said all 3,000 employees would remain on the payroll during the rebuilding process.
