Flash Flood — Stewart, Tennessee

2013-04-27 to 2013-04-28 · near Tobaccoport, Stewart, Tennessee

Event narrative

Repeated development of thunderstorms across Stewart County resulted in 5 to 7 inches of rain falling during the evening hours on April 17. Disastrous flash flooding resulted from the heavy rainfall, with numerous roadways washed out or underwater, dozens of homes flooded, and five water rescues of people in vehicles. The worst flooding occurred in the Indian Mound and Carlisle communities, where 20 people were trapped by flood waters. One man suffered minor injuries after driving off a washed out section of Leatherwood Road, with his car falling ten feet down into a ravine. Other flooded and washed out roadways across Stewart County included Taylor's Chapel Road, Rorie Hollow, North Cross Creek Road, Big Rock Road, Joiner Hollow Road, Robertson Hill Road, Wildlife Road, Norris Handcock Road, Centerpoint Road, Indian Mound Road, and Highway 49. In total, 25 homes were reported destroyed, 25 homes suffered major damage, and 20 homes had minor damage.

Wider weather episode

Numerous showers and thunderstorms developed across Middle Tennessee early on April 27 and continued into the afternoon hours as a weak warm frontal boundary was draped across the region. Some flooding was reported in the Nashville metro area. Additional showers and thunderstorms formed later in the day on April 27 and continued into April 28. Training thunderstorms caused widespread flash flooding. The worst flash flooding was across Houston, Stewart, and Montgomery counties where many homes and businesses were flooded, numerous roads were washed out, and several people were rescued from the flood waters. Several reports of wind damage and large hail were also received.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (36.6277, -87.8865)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 440329. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.