'Widespread Flooding' Possible In Middle Tennessee: NWS

NASHVILLE, TN -- Creeks and rivers across Middle Tennessee are still high from this week's round of rain and with heavy precipitation expected this weekend, "widespread flooding" is possible, according to the National Weather Service office in Old Hickory.

Rain will push in Friday and spread through the region Saturday with the heaviest downpours expected late Saturday, with thunderstorms and spin-up tornadoes possible, particularly in the western half of Middle Tennessee. Things will begin to try out Sunday, forecasters say, with another rainmaker coming through Monday.

"Storm total amounts from [Friday] through Saturday night will range from around 1 inch across the Cumberland Plateau, to around 2 inches in the Clarksville and Dover areas. This will fall on ground that is largely saturated, and will drain into streams and rivers that are already running high from previous heavy rainfall. Therefore, localized flash flooding and river flooding are possible during and after this next heavy rain event," theweather service said.

A flood watch is in effect for the western half of Middle Tennessee - roughly all counties along or west of a line running through Nashville - through Saturday night.

The Nashville Office of Emergency Management is coordinating with the US Army Corps of Engineers, National Weather Service, Metro Water Services, Metro Police and the Mayor’s Office to monitor the weather. The Corps released water from Percy Priest Lake to make room behind the dam, resulting in higher water levels on the Cumberland River, which was at 27 feet mid-morning Friday, 13 feet below flood stage. The river is not expected to flood.

Stay with Patch for updates throughout the weekend.

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