Flood — Greene, Tennessee

2024-09-27 to 2024-09-29 · near St James, Greene, Tennessee

Event narrative

The massive flood wave on the Nolichucky River entered the eastern half of Greene County. Nolichucky Dam crested at 66.03 feet during the early morning of the 28th, setting a new record crest by far. Justified concerns that Nolichucky Dam would not withstand the flood wave were fortunately eased as the dam withstood the onslaught, although the power station building was damaged beyond repair. Downstream, the river gauge at Lowland just outside of Greene County shattered its previous record crest by 9 feet, cresting at 35.16 feet at 10:15 am EST on the 28th. Numerous structures were flooded or destroyed. Numerous roadways were inundated and some bridges were destroyed.

Wider weather episode

Tropical Storm Helene caps off a several day heavy rainfall event in association with a stalled closed upper low that drew a stream of tropical moisture into the area on the 25th and 26th. The arrival of Helene on the 27th yielded catastrophic flash flooding and river flooding, as well as significant wind damage as wet soils and strong wind gusts led to forest damage.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (36.1119, -83.0513)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1218836. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.