Flash Flood — Rutherford, Tennessee

2024-05-08 to 2024-05-09 · near Allisona, Rutherford, Tennessee

Event narrative

Heavy rain caused flash flooding across Rutherford County, particularly in the Eagleville area and south of Murfreesboro. In Eagleville, Horton Highway at Arno-Allisona Road was reported to be flooded and impassable. In Murfreesboro, Armstrong Valley Road was reported to be impassable. Unfortunately, flooding led to the indirect death of a 10-year-old child who was swept away into a storm drain while playing in the water in the streets.

Wider weather episode

A widespread severe weather event impacted Middle Tennessee beginning in the early morning hours of May 8, 2024, and continued through the early morning hours of May 9th. During this time frame, numerous rounds of severe weather moved through the area, causing widespread wind damage in nearly every county in Middle Tennessee, hail up to 3 inches in diameter, and four tornadoes. One of these tornadoes in Columbia prompted a Tornado Emergency to be issued. In addition, major flash flooding also occurred with the worst flooding reported across Robertson and Sumner counties. With nearly nine inches of rain, Flash Flood Emergencies were issued for these counties. This is the first time National Weather Service Nashville issued both a Tornado Emergency and a Flash Flood Emergency in the same event. Unfortunately, this event claimed the lives of five individuals.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (35.7497, -86.7049)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1167747. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.