Dangerous flooding to continue across middle Tennessee tonight. The Flood Warning remains in effect until 530 PM CDT Monday.
At 916 PM CDT widespread dangerous flooding continues across middle Tennessee. Rainfall is beginning to diminish across middle Tennessee from west to east... but flooding will remain a threat overnight as runoff continues to filter into area creeks and streams. Heavy rain is still expected over areas east of Interstate 65... which may lead to flooding in this area overnight.
Storm total amounts since late Friday night and early Saturday morning range from 5 to 15 inches across most of the warned area.
This has caused widespread dangerous flooding of creeks and streams... and it is expected to continue through tonight. Numerous reports of flooded roads... highways... and homes have been received... and reports of water rescues have been reported from numerous counties. If you are near a creek or stream that is rising... seek higher ground now and follow any instructions from law enforcement officials.
Due to major flooding in the Nashville Metro area... the Nashville Metro office of emergency management advises Davidson County citizens to please stay off roads if at all possible. Many roads are impassable or becoming impassable. This is an extremely dangerous situation.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A Flood Warning means flooding is occurring or is imminent. Most flood related deaths occur in automobiles. Do not drive your vehicle into areas where the water covers the roadway. The water depth may be too great to allow your car to cross safely. Do not attempt to cross water covered bridges... dips... or low water crossings. Never try to cross a flowing stream... even a small one... on foot. To escape rising water move up to higher ground.
Public Information Statement
Statement as of 7:17 PM CDT on May 2, 2010
As of 700 PM, Nashville international Airport has measured 7.21 inches today. This breaks the record for most rain in a single calendar day in the city's history. The previous record was 6.60 inches set on September 13, 1979.
The two-day rainfall total now stands at 13.53 inches. This more than doubles the previous two-day record of 6.68 inches set on September 13-14, 1979.
Yesterday's rainfall total of 6.32 inches now ranks as the 3rd greatest one-day rainfall total in nashville's history.
Two other rainfall records that were set during the 1979 event were also broken today. The city saw its greatest rainfall in a six-hour period, 5.57 inches. And the record for most rainfall in 12 hours also fell, with 7.20 inches.
May, 2010 now ranks as the wettest may ever, surpassing may, 1983, when 11.04 inches were measured. And may, 2010 already ranks as the fifth wettest month overall.