Flash Report #4 - Flooding

Sunday, August 22, 2021 | 10:00am

HIGHLIGHTS

  • A Reunification Center for flood survivors is open at McEwen High School from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday.
  • The American Red Cross has set up a Flood in Tennessee online resource at redcross.org where flood survivors can register and let family and friends know they are safe.
  • The State Emergency Operations Center is activated and supporting local assistance and resource requests in the storm-impacted counties.
  • Search and rescue operations, and missions to support human needs, will remain ongoing today.
  • Flood waters are receding and river levels are being monitored.

CURRENT SITUATION

Catastrophic flash flooding on Saturday from heavy rains and storms severely impacted Dickson, Hickman, Houston, and Humphreys counties, and the city of Waverly.

From 9 inches to 17 inches of rain fell across this area of middle Tennessee within a 6-hour period Saturday morning and another round of severe weather impacted the same area Saturday night.

Clearing skies today will allow search and rescue operations in the impacted counties to continue as local and state officials also focus on the meeting the needs of survivors and first responders.

STORM IMPACTS 

  • Multiple bridges and roadways – SR1/US70, SR230, SR48N – remain closed today from flooding and debris impacts.
  • Telecommunication services in the area, particularly in Humphreys County, are limited as AT&T and Verizon move resources to the area to improve voice, data, and internet access for the public and responders.
  • Boil water notices are in effect for the cities of Waverly and Bon Aqua, with Waverly reporting its water treatment facility is down.
  • More than 10,000 customers in the impacted counties remain without power.
  • Search and rescue teams performed more than 20 rescues and evacuations yesterday, with searches conducted in approximately 100 homes and 25 businesses.
  • Open shelters reported 89 occupants overnight.
  • Humphreys County reports three impacted schools.

FATALITIES & INJURIES

The SEOC is not reporting confirmed totals of weather-related fatalities, injuries, or missing persons considering emergency response operations are still underway in the flood-impacted counties, and the situation continues to evolve.

HUMAN SERVICES

  • The Reunification Center at McEwen High School, 335 Melrose St. in McEwen, Tenn., is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. today for flood survivors. 
  • The American Red Cross has set up a Flood in Tennessee online resource on redcross.org where flood survivors can register and let family and friends know they are safe.
  • Several shelters are open:
    • Waverly Church of Christ, 438 West Main St., Waverly, TN 
    • YMCA of Dickson County, 225 Henslee Dr, Dickson TN 37055
    • First Baptist Church, 300 E. Main St. Waverly TN 37185
    • Fairfield Church of Christ, 1860 TN-100, Centerville, TN 37033

STATE RESPONSE OPERATIONS

  • The State Emergency Operations Center in Nashville is activated and personnel are monitoring and supporting local requests for assistance.
  • TEMA’s Regional Coordination Center for Middle Tennessee will be operational today to provide direct support for local requests. TEMA’s RCC for West Tennessee is on standby to activate if needed.
  • The Tennessee National Guard, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Tennessee Dept. of Transportation, and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency will be assisting local officials with search and response and traffic control operations. assisted local law enforcement agencies Saturday with helicopter response operations and water rescues.
  • The Tennessee departments of Health and Human Services are providing resources to support health care operations and human needs in the impacted counties.
  • The Tennessee Dept. of Education is providing support to area school districts.
  • Tennessee’s Civil Air Patrol conducted aerial damage assessments Saturday.

PROTECTIVE ACTIONS/ KEY MESSAGES

  • Do not attempt to cross flooded roads or walkways. Turn around, don’t drown.
  • Monitor radio and television broadcasts for information and instructions.
  • Charge electronic devices in case of loss of power.

FORECAST

  • Memphis: Mostly sunny with a high near 92.
  • Jackson: Mostly sunny with a high near 89.
  • Nashville: Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms and highs around 90.
  • Knoxville: Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. with a high near 89. 
  • Chattanooga: Chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon and a high near 85.

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