Flash Flood — Fentress, Tennessee

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

Event narrative

Heavy rain began in the Clarkrange area early in the morning and continued into the afternoon hours, producing an estimated five to eight inches of rain. This produced significant flash flooding in the area with the emergency manager and several other sources reporting that numerous roads were flooded and washed out. These included Highway 127 and Highway 62 as well as Franklin Loop north of Clarkrange. A CoCoRaHS observer northeast of Clarkrange near Roslin Road measured 6.11 inches of rain. No injuries or fatalities were reported, and 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 → (36.1774, -85.0294)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1104477. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.