At least 4 dead in Nashville floods after 7 inches of rain douse area
More than 7 inches of rain fell on Nashville over the weekend, causing rivers and creeks to flood and leaving at least four people dead, Nashville Mayor John Cooper said Sunday. The downpour ended Sunday morning, but "over the next couple of days, we'll see some of our rivers continue to rise," said National Weather Service meteorologist Brittney Whitehead. "And we've got several flood warnings out for those areas that we expect to remain high, at least into Monday."
Cooper said the 7.01 inches of rain, including 5.76 inches on Saturday, make for Nashville's second-biggest two-day rainfall on record. Other parts of central Tennessee got anywhere from 4 to 8 inches of rain.
The four bodies discovered Sunday were Douglas Hammond, 65, likely swept away by high water after escaping his vehicle; Gary Cole, 70; found dead in a sedan submerged in a creek near a Walmart; and an unidentified 64-year-old man and 46-year-old woman found dead near a homeless camp. Metropolitan Nashville Police Chief John Drake said a police officer was rescued clinging to a tree after he got out of his vehicle when it was caught in floodwaters.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
As of Sunday morning, at least 130 people had been rescued from cars, houses, and apartments. The Tennessee deluge was part of a swath of extreme weather that stretched from East Texas to North Carolina over the weekend. The weather events included tornadoes, strong winds, and large hail.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
'Good riddance to the televised presidential debate'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Caitlin Clark the No. 1 pick in bullish WNBA Draft
Speed Read As expected, she went to the Indiana Fever
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 16, 2024
Cartoons Tuesday's cartoons - sleepyhead, little people, and more
By The Week US Published
-
EPA limits carcinogenic emissions at 218 US plants
Speed Read The new rule aims to reduce cancer-causing air pollution in areas like Louisiana's 'Cancer Alley'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Strong Taiwan earthquake kills 9, injures hundreds
Speed Read At magnitude 7.4, this was Taiwan's biggest earthquake in 25 years
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
EPA sets auto pollution rule that boosts EVs
Speed Read The Biden administration's new rules will push US automakers toward electric vehicles and hybrids
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
More than 150 people dead following earthquake in Nepal
Speed Read The death toll is expected to rise as rescue workers continue digging through rubble
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Nearly 1,000 birds dead in one night after striking building in Chicago
Speed Read The birds died after colliding with the McCormick Place convention center next to Lake Michigan
By Justin Klawans Published
-
At least 1 dead at Burning Man as thousands remain stranded from flooding
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Earthquake rattles Southern California as Tropical Storm Hilary hits
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Hawaii reportedly downplayed threat of wildfires for years prior to Maui blaze
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published