Flood — Hamilton, Tennessee

2009-09-20 to 2009-09-24 · near Tiftona, Hamilton, Tennessee

Event narrative

Widespread minor street flooding began, and eventually escalated into areal and river flooding. The South Chickamauga Creek exceeded its banks and flooded surrounding areas of Chattanooga and East Ridge. The West Chickamauga Creek also contributed to flooding along the South Chickamauga, and areas of East Ridge. The South Chickamauga stage reached 28.54', which is the second highest recorded stage on that river. Numerous businesses and roads were affected by the high waters, with several drivers having to be rescued after driving into flooded streets. Creeks flowing off the Cumberland Plateau in northern Hamilton County also caused flooding in the Soddy Daisy areas, closing roads. One fatality occurred on 9/20/2009, when a 46 year old man, on a wager, tried to swim across a drainage ditch full of rushing water, and was swept into the aqueduct system. His friend, a 36 year old man, tried to rescue him and sustained minor injuries. Officials report that alcohol was possibly involved. According to officials, the ditch was not out of its banks at the time.

Wider weather episode

A strong storm system moved northeast into southeast Tennessee, producing repeat rainfall over the same area, in particular the South and West Chickamauga Creek basins. The South Chickamauga Creek reached its second highest ever recorded stage at the gage near Chickamauga, TN.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (34.9837, -85.3903)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 196307. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.