Local State of Emergency declared due to flooding

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Many areas of Davidson, Wilson and Williamson Counties have flooded after severe storms pushed through the mid-state.

Nashville Mayor John Cooper has issued a local state of emergency.

Earlier in the day, Mayor Cooper held a press conference to discuss the city's response to the flooding.

PHOTOS: FLASH FLOODING HITS THE MID-STATE

Emergency crews responded to many reports of water entering homes and businesses in Nashville and surrounding areas.

Nashville fire crews rescued at least 130 people from vehicles, apartments and houses overnight and into Sunday morning. As of 11 a.m. Sunday, four people have been found dead in separate flooding-related incidents in Nashville.

Special Operations conducted 35 boat responses and rescued several people and pets. An off-duty Metro police officer is recovering in a hospital after being rescued. Police Chief John Drake said the officer was on his way home from work when his vehicle was swept away by a current. He was able to get out of the vehicle and cling to a tree. Drake said a citizen tried to rescue him but he also got stuck. Both the officer and the citizen were then rescued by emergency responders.

Saturday's rainfall total for Nashville was 5.75 inches, which is the largest daily rainfall ever recorded in March and ranks as the fourth-wettest day in Nashville's history, according to the National Weather Service. More than 7 inches of rain fell in 48 hours, the second-largest on record in Nashville behind the rainfall that led to the 2010 flood.

Cooper said the lessons the city learned from the 2010 flood helped prepare for an improved response. He directed residents to visit Nashville's NERVE map, which is an interactive website designed to provide information during emergencies such as road closures, evacuation areas and shelters.

Officials are encouraging everyone in the areas impacted to stay inside and not put yourself or others in added danger by trying to save vehicles or other items outside.

Cooper specifically listed the following areas for residents to avoid:

• Seven Mile Creek and Mill Creek in Antioch
• Interstate 24 at Harding Place
• Browns Creek at the Nashville Fairgrounds
• Harpeth Creek in Bellevue
• Richland Creek near Charlotte Avenue

Metro Water Services said the Harpeth River was significantly impacted by the rain, causing it to rise and pose a significant risk for continued danger to roads and homes near the river. The department said it will be watching the river to determine its flood potential. During Sunday's press conference, officials with the department said the river passed its flood stage of 20 feet at 2:30 a.m. and they expect it to crest at 27.4 feet by 7 p.m. Sunday.

The Cumberland River is expected to peak at 41.9 feet just after midnight. Officials expect it will reach 40 feet by 1 p.m. Sunday. During the 2010 flood, the river peaked at 52 feet.

Additionally, Mill Creek has already crested at 20.8 feet, which is the second-highest on record. Cooper said residents on Curry Road had to be rescued from their attics due to flash flooding from Mill Creek.

Metro Nashville Public Works has barricaded several roads on Sunday morning due to high water. The following roads were closed overnight. Crews are working to reopen roads as the water recedes.

• Fairfield Ave at Lafayette St
• Trimble St from the dead-end to Lincoln St
• North Hill Street at Lewis St
• Lewis St at Trimble St
• 10^th Ave N at Herman St
• Rosa Parks Blvd at Harrison
• Old Glenrose Ave
• Mashburn Ave at Glenrose Ave
• George L Davis at 11^th Ave N
• Hubbard St
• Chandler Rd
• Tulip Grove Rd from Leesa Ann Ln to Brookside Woods Dr
• Franklin Limestone Rd
• Old Harding Pk
• Morton Mill Rd
• Bransford Ave
• Illinois Ave & Delray Dr
• Currey Rd & Finley Dr
• Hogan Rd
• Franklin Pk Circle & Kelly Rd
• Newsome Station Rd
• South Harpeth Rd
• Culbertson Rd
• Bluff Rd
• Antioch Pk from McCall St to Harding Pl (Bridge)
• Antioch Pk & Blue Hole Rd
• Georgia Ave & Delray Dr
• Urbandale Ave & Delray Dr
• 8377 McCrory Lane (Mudslide)
• Blackman Rd & Overcrest Dr
• 492 Paragon Mills Road
• Blackman Rd & Whispering Hills Dr
• Temple Rd
• Wallace Rd at Humber St
• George E Horn at Hwy 70

In Mt. Juliet, Old Lebanon Dirt Road near Jackson Hills and Woodridge Place near Clemmons Road are closed due to flooding. The Woodridge Place bridge was extensively damaged by floodwater and will be closed for an extended period of time.

Mt. Juliet Police Department/Twitter

In Williamson County, at least 55 roads were closed across the county due to overnight flooding. Some roads have begun to reopen as the water recedes. For an updated list of closures in Williamson County, click here.

Officials said firefighters went door-to-door on Harpeth River Drive in Brentwood to evacuate residents. Eight people and a dog were sheltered at Brentwood City Hall overnight.

Williamson County officials are asking residents to complete an online damage survey if they have any property damage.

At least 15 people had to be rescued from an apartment complex on Linbar Drive when it hit by a mudslide. The Nashville Fire Department said multiple people were unable to leave the building on their own due to flooding in the area. Two people were taken to the hospital to be treated for non-critical injuries.

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Emergency responders rescued about 40 dogs from Camp Bow Wow on Craighead Street and evacuated the animals to a nearby building. All of the dogs were safely transferred to the facility.

Drivers in the area said their vehicles stalled in the high water in a matter of seconds. Drivers on Interstate 24 were being forced to turn around and travel in the opposite direction of traffic because of high water blocking the road.

Eventually, emergency crews diverted the driver off of I-24 and onto Briley Pkwy/exit 56.

Cooper said Hillwood High School on Davidson Road also sustained damage from the storms. Classrooms and the school's boil room have been flooded. The mayor said Metro Schools will be in contact with students and families on any change in in-person classes.

Homes in the Crieve Hall area of Nashville were hit hard. Water rushed into homes and vehicles.

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Viewer Amy Holm recorded video below of the high water flow down the road in Crieve Hall as if it was a river.

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