Flash Flood — Stewart, Tennessee

2016-07-07 · near Big Rock, Stewart, Tennessee

Event narrative

Historic flash flooding affected much of Stewart County, especially areas northeast of Dover. Dozens of homes, businesses, vehicles and roads were damaged or destroyed by flooding across Stewart County, mainly in the Big Rock and Bumpus Mills communities which were devastated by the flooding. Several water rescues were also conducted for people trapped in flooded homes and vehicles. TEMA reported 10 homes were destroyed, 7 homes had major damage, 10 mobile homes were destroyed, Big Rock Baptist Church was destroyed, Big Rock Church of Christ and Dyers Creek Church of God had major damage, 1 park had major damage, The Homestead Child Day Care Center on Robertson Hill Road was destroyed, and a Subway restaurant on Highway 79 at Joiner Hollow Road had major damage. Some of the roads that were flooded and closed included Highway 120 in Bumpus Mills, and Joiner Hollow Road, Earl Coppage Road, Mildred George Road, and Big Rock Road in Big Rock which were all washed out. No injuries or fatalities were reported.

Wider weather episode

A major severe thunderstorm and flash flood event affected Middle Tennessee from Wednesday, July 6 into Thursday, July 7. Three rounds of thunderstorms called Mesoscale Convective Systems (MCS) moved across the area over these two days, with the first MCS occurring on Wednesday afternoon July 6, the second MCS from Wednesday night into Thursday morning July 6-7, and the third MCS during the afternoon of July 7. The first MCS produced several reports of wind damage across northern parts of Middle Tennessee, while the second MCS produced scattered wind damage and dropped 3 to 8 of rain, which caused major flash flooding over northern Middle Tennessee. The final MCS on Thursday afternoon July 7 brought another round of more widespread wind damage.

Based on reports from the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and local media, the flash flooding damaged or destroyed over 65 homes, businesses, and other buildings across Stewart, Montgomery, Robertson, Sumner, and Cheatham Counties, as well as washed out numerous roads and bridges. Amazingly, no injuries or fatalities were reported despite the widespread damage.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (36.5800, -87.7600)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 634939. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.