Flood in Davidson County, Tennessee

At U.S. Highway 431 near the Robertson/Davidson County Line at Sycamore Creek, water was overflowing its banks, resulting in flooding of low lying areas. At least one home and farm was reported to be covered with flood waters. At the time of this report, U.S. Highway 431 was still open, although the water level near the base of the road and bridge was rising fast. No additional information was provided concerning any damage to the road or bridge. Also, flooding was reported along Charlotte Road just west of downtown Nashville by the public. Emergency Manager reported closing of Bluff Road due to water covering the road. Water was reported over Culbertson Road along Mill Creek near Nolensville. This made the road impassible to traffic. On Estes Road, approximately one mile west of Green Hills, a creek was flowing over the road. Depth was estimated at three to six inches. This caused the road to become impassible to traffic. Water was running over Old Harding Pike from the Harpeth River near Morton Mill Road. Also, numerous homes, numerous businesses, numerous non comercial buildings, along with several county, state, and federal roads across the county received damage due to the flood. This damage also included major damage to the Opryland Hotel, Grand Ole Opry House, and Opry Mills shopping mall.

A frontal boundary setup across Western and Middle Tennessee late Friday night (April 30), and remained through the weekend. A persistent southerly flow fed moisture into the area and precipitable water values rose to almost 2 inches, based on data from KOHX upper air soundings. As a series of shortwaves moved through, a band of showers and thunderstorms developed and remained nearly stationary for much of the day on Saturday, May 1st and Sunday, May 2nd, resulting in widespread record flooding across much of Middle Tennessee. Some of these thunderstorms became severe also, resulting in thunderstorm wind damage and seven confirmed tornadoes across Middle Tennessee.