Middle Tennessee Flood Worries Return With New Rounds Of Rain

OLD HICKORY, TN -- Middle Tennessee is once again under a flood watch with heavy rain expected Wednesday and Thursday.

The National Weather Service office in Old Hickory forecasts one inch of rain near the Kentucky border with amounts increasing to the south, particularly south of Interstate 40. Counties along the Alabama border could see as much as four inches.

"Grounds are already saturated from the near-record rainfall so far this month, and with area rivers, creeks and streams already running high, additional flooding appears likely tonight into tomorrow," the NWS wrote.

Rain throughout the day Wednesday will increase overnight into Thursday morning and continue through Thursday afternoon.

The Cumberland River at downtown Nashville was at 32.6 feet Wednesday morning with an expected peak of 33.1 feet Thursday. Flood stage there is 40 feet, though the river is already above action stage. The Harpeth was at 7 feet Wednesday morning, but was predicted to rise to 19.5 feet by mid-morning Thursday, about three feet below action stage. At Bellevue, the Harpeth is expected to creep beyond action stage Thursday.

Action stage is the point at which a river overflows its banks, though without affecting buildings or roads. Flood stage is the point where water begins nearing buildings and inundating roads. Monitor river levels here.

Stay with Patch for updates throughout the storm.

Image via National Weather Service