Flash Flood — Fentress, Tennessee

2023-07-20 · near Riverton, Fentress, Tennessee

Event narrative

Heavy rain started early in the morning in the Jamestown area, and training thunderstorms through the afternoon hours produced five to eight inches of rain which resulted in significant flash flooding. According to the emergency manager and several other sources, numerous roads were flooded and washed out due to the flooding. Some of these roads included Manson Road, Tollie Lane, and Riverton Road in the Manson community where two small bridges also reportedly had water flowing over them. Highway 52 at Riverton Road was washed out and impassable. Boatland Road and Mill Creek Road were also washed out with a car swept away along Mill Creek Road. Glenobey Road and David Road were also flooded and closed. No reports of injuries or fatalities were received. Damages are a rough estimate.

Wider weather episode

A very strong squall line made its way through Middle Tennessee during the morning and afternoon hours of July 20, 2023. Damaging straight-line winds were the primary threat associated with this line of thunderstorms with wind gusts of 65 to 80 mph common. The most significant damage was reported in Sumner and Wilson counties with numerous reports of downed trees and powerlines received. Meanwhile, training showers and thunderstorms preceding this line across the Cumberland Plateau produced heavy rainfall in this area, particularly in Fentress County. Five to eight inches of rainfall in total resulted in significant flash flooding.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (36.4394, -85.0942)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1104471. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.