Flood — Cheatham, Tennessee

2025-04-06 · near Greenbrier, Cheatham, Tennessee

Event narrative

The Harpeth River at Kingston Springs crested to 26.8 feet which was minor flood stage. At this stage, residences on Zapata Drive, Sawyer Farms Lane, Bluff View Drive, and Riverview Drive were impacted by flooding as well as U.S. Highway 70 near Highway 249, Walkup Road near Sawyer Farms Lane, Riverview Drive near Elkmore Drive, and Cedar Hill Road near Griffintown Road. Water also approached West Kingston Springs Road at Big Turnbull Creek.

Wider weather episode

A major and historic multi-day severe weather event unfolded across Middle Tennessee during early April 2025. This event began during the afternoon hours of April 2nd and continued through April 6th. These first couple rounds of thunderstorms brought damaging winds and large hail along with a tornado risk. The corridor from southwest Middle Tennessee into the Nashville metro area was hit particularly hard with multiple supercells training for several hours. Large hail was reported, particularly with the early thunderstorms, with hail sizes nearing three inches. A couple of tornadoes were also confirmed with the strongest being an EF-1 tornado in Wilson County. A brief break was received on April 4th, but the event ended with a potent line of thunderstorms sweeping east through the area April 5th and into the early morning hours of April 6th. This final round of thunderstorms brought a wide swath of damaging winds to several Middle Tennessee counties, including Perry, Humphreys, Dickson, Cheatham, Davidson, Sumner, Wilson, Macon, and Trousdale counties. Widespread 60-70 mph winds were common, however, embedded microbursts likely produced winds up to 90 mph in some spots. Before this line exited the area, it was responsible for producing one last EF-1 tornado in Grundy County.

These multiple rounds of thunderstorms were also responsible for widespread flooding and flash flooding. By the end of this event, highest rainfall totals were received across the northwest corner of Middle Tennessee and into the Nashville metro area where observations and radar estimates showed 6 to 12 inches of rain. Fortunately, the brief break in activity on April 4th likely prevented more significant flooding, but widespread reports of road closures and streams and creeks spilling out of banks were still received. River flooding was also a widespread issue with sixteen river gauges reaching minor flood stage and six river gauges reaching moderate flood stage.

Fortunately, no reports of injuries or fatalities were received over this prolonged severe weather event.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (36.3000, -87.1200)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1234544. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.