NewsNation Now

4 dead amid flash flood emergency in Tennessee

Aleksandra Bush, Char'Nese Turner, and Sean Noone

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (NewsNation Now) — At least four people have died after more than seven inches of rain fell in Nashville over the weekend, causing extreme flooding across the city. A flash flood emergency has been declared by the National Weather Service for the city and surrounding areas.

Metro police said first responders were called to Nolensville Pike at Harding Place, where they said a 70-year-old man was found dead in a vehicle in floodwaters behind a Walmart.

Police later said a second man, presumed to have drowned, was found dead on the Nashville Village golf course. Officers believe the 65-year-old was swept away by high water after getting out of his car that had run off the road and into a culvert.

Two additional people, a 46-year-old woman and a 64-year-old man, were found dead in a wooded area adjacent to Wentworth-Caldwell Park, according to police. Officials said the bodies were located near a homeless camp.

The Nashville Fire Department said it rescued at least 130 people from cars, apartments and homes, while about 40 dogs were moved from a Nashville boarding kennel, Camp Bow Wow, to another location. To the south in Williamson County, over 34 swift water rescues were carried out, said county EMA Director Todd Horton during a media briefing. As many as 18 homes in one neighborhood had to be evacuated.

The National Weather Service tweeted Sunday morning that rain in Nashville has stopped but residents are urged to not travel during flood conditons.

The emergency included Brentwood, Franklin and Mt. Juliet, in addition to Nashville.

On Sunday afternoon, Nashville Mayor John Cooper signed an executive order declaring a local state of emergency.

“Today, I signed an executive order declaring a local state of emergency due to flooding in Nashville, as we seek state and federal resources to assist Davidson County,” said Cooper.

Several photos and videos shared online and by NewsNation affiliate WKRN showed high water on roads and throughout residential areas.

Nashville recorded 5.75 inches of rain on Saturday, the weather service said, setting a new record for the most rain to fall in the city on a March day. It was also the fourth-wettest day in the city’s history.

Over 10,000 customers were without power in Tennessee, according to poweroutage.us, a utility tracking service. Nearly 11,000 customers were in the dark in Arkansas, where the same line of storms moved through earlier Saturday.

A car that was carried by floodwaters leans against a tree in a creek Sunday, March 28, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. Heavy rain across Tennessee flooded homes and roads as a line of severe storms crossed the state. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Adam Wirdzek stops to look at a utility building that was carried down a flooded creek Sunday, March 28, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. Heavy rain across Tennessee flooded homes and roads as a line of severe storms crossed the state. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
A vehicle passes a utility building that was carried onto a street by floodwaters Sunday, March 28, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. Heavy rain across Tennessee flooded homes and roads as a line of severe storms crossed the state. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
England’s Luke Shaw takes a shot during the Euro 2020 soccer championship final match between England and Italy at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday, July 11, 2021. (Paul Ellis/Pool via AP)
England’s Luke Shaw, left, celebrates after scoring his side’s opening goal during the Euro 2020 final soccer match between Italy and England at Wembley stadium in London, Sunday, July 11, 2021. (Facundo Arrizabalaga/Pool via AP)
An England supporter waves a flag near Trafalgar Square in London, Sunday, July 11, 2021, during the Euro 2020 soccer championship final match between England and Italy which is being played at Wembley Stadium. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)
Fans watch on a giant screen in Rome, Sunday, July 11, 2021, the Euro 2020 soccer championships’ final match between Italy and England played at Wembley stadium in London. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Italy’s Leonardo Bonucci, right, scores his side’s opening goal during the Euro 2020 final soccer match between Italy and England at Wembley stadium in London, Sunday, July 11, 2021. (Facundo Arrizabalaga/Pool via AP)
Italy’s Leonardo Bonucci celebrates after he scored his side’s first goal during the Euro 2020 soccer championship final between England and Italy at Wembley stadium in London, Sunday, July 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, Pool)
England’s Marcus Rashford reacts after missed a penalty shot during the penalty shootout during the Euro 2020 soccer final match between England and Italy at Wembley stadium in London, Sunday, July 11, 2021. (Andy Rain/Pool Photo via AP)
Italy’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma makes a save against England’s Jadon Sancho during penalty shootout of the Euro 2020 soccer championship final match between England and Italy at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday, July 11, 2021. (Paul Ellis/Pool via AP)
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The Associated Press and NewsNation affiliate WKRN contributed to this report.