Flash Flood in Cannon County, Tennessee

An outbreak of tornadic thunderstorms also produced locally heavy rainfall across middle Tennessee during the early morning hours of May 5, 2003. This series of storms also caused flooding on the Saunders Fork Creek in Cannon County, Tennessee. 3 people were drowned, in 2 separate vehicles, from the flooding waters of Sanders Fork Creek, along treacherous State Route 145. Louis Calhoun, age 71 was in one vehicle and Betty Gipson, age 60 with husband Jackie Gipson age 64 was in the other vehicle. These vehicles entered into the stream of water from different directions. Mr. Calhoun customarily made his 10-mile trip to a Hardee's restaurant around 4 AM CDT each day for breakfast. Jackie and Betty Gipson were attempting to get to a Rutherford county hospital at about 5 AM CDT.

The White House granted Governor Phil Bredesen's request for Presential Disaster Declaration for 20 counties in West and Middle Tennessee for damage as a result of tornadoes, flooding and severe thunderstorms which began on Sunday , May 4, 2003.