Nashville’s wettest February on record, 3 killed in Tennessee floods

The city of Nashville in Tennesse experienced its wettest February on record, NWS reports. This month was also its 7^th wettest month of all time. Floods caused by the latest storm to hit the state left at least 3 people dead.

With 342.13 mm (13.47 inches) of rain through February 23, Nashville broke its record for wettest February since measurements began. The previous record was set in 1880 with 314.19 mm (12.37 inches). The third wettest record for the city was sed in 1890 with 278.13 mm (10.95 inches) and the fourth in 2018 with 277.11 mm (10.91 inches).

The wettest month on record for Nashville is May 2010 with 417.32 mm (16.43 inches) and the second wettest is January 1937 with 374.65 mm (14.75 inches).

This February was also the wettest month on record in Crossville – with 309.88 mm (12.20 inches) through February 23, and the fourth wettest month since records began. The wettest month on record for the city of Crossville is March 1975 with 389.63 mm (15.34 inches).

Three people around Tennessee died due to weather-related incidents since February 6, including one in Cheatham County, FOX17 Nashville reports.

TEMA reports that a woman was swept away by swift water. A second death occurred in Hawkins County because of a mudslide and Saturday night a man died in Knox County after being submerged in a vehicle.

Tennessee Department of Transportation crews have a long-term closure in place on Interstate 24 eastbound in northwest Davidson County, where a landslide at mile marker 42 occurred at approximately 22:00 local time, February 23.

Traffic on I-24 eastbound is currently being diverted onto Old Hickory Boulevard at Exit 40 to I-65 or Briley Parkway.

The full scope of necessary slope repairs will not be known until the material can be cleared from the slide site. A TDOT contractor is preparing to begin this process, but due to the unstable conditions around the area, the work will likely be slow going.

While TDOT cannot give a firm estimate for re-opening at this time, the department advises drivers to plan for the closure to be in place at least a week. Once a repair schedule is confirmed, TDOT will provide updated information.

Tennessee governor Bill Lee declared a State of Emergency on February 23, due to rising flood waters and the potential for more severe weather.

"Our departments and agencies are monitoring the ongoing weather developments in our state and they are coordinating to be fully prepared," Lee said.

In response to the flooding and severe weather potential, this afternoon TEMA activated the Tennessee Emergency Management Plan and put a State of Emergency in Place in Tennessee.

"Everyone should pay close attention to weather forecasts today and have multiple ways to receive weather watches and warnings," said TEMA Director Patrick Sheehan. "Those who may have experienced any storm or flooding damage already should contact their county emergency management agencies to report issues, contact their insurance agencies, and keep track of any repairs they make."

Featured image: Landslide on I-24, Tennesee. Credit: WSMV