ASHLAND CITY, Tenn. (WTVF) — The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency reports 14 counties in the state have declared local states of emergency after floods over the weekend.
The counties are Decatur, Hardin, McNairy, VanBuren, Maury, Marshall, Cheatham, Lincoln, Moore, Overton, Warren, Claiborne, Sevier and Scott.
Emergency officials in Cheatham County expect roughly 50 homes were damaged by the floods.
Cheatham County Emergency Management Agency Director Edwin Hogan told NewsChannel 5 that at least eight roads remain closed due to high water levels. One of the worst hit areas is Chapmansboro Road near Sycamore Creek where deputies blocked drivers from entering.
His crews are waiting on water to recede to completely assess the damage.
"We were just waiting on the Cumberland River to go down, it's slowly going down, slower than anticipated," Hogan said.
Hogan said with the disaster declaration, the governor will be informed and can request for federal funding to help with recovery efforts.
Some people who live in the county stopped by at Chapmansboro Road to look at the flooding.
"So far this is the worst one," Donnie Jones said. "I feel for these people that do live over here."
Neighbors who live there are thankful it was not worse but are worried about potential burglars using boats to target their homes. One man who did not want to reveal his identity said he is keeping a close eye on his property.
Hogan said burglary was a problem after the 2010 floods.
"All I heard was that there were some people on boats that had try to get in the area, maybe to break in ... so we forwarded that to the sheriff's office," Hogan said. "We had that in 2010 but I would advise against that because these homeowners are willing to shoot anybody that try to steal their things because most of them are still in their homes."
Other roads closed in Cheatham County include Pond Creek Road, River Road, Tennessee Waltz Parkway, Fairgrounds Road, Willowbrook Road and Meadowbrook Road.
If you have damage to your house or business please let us know by calling the Cheatham County Emergency Management Agency at (615) 792-3443.
