WARNING NASHVILLE: Cumberland River Is Flooding

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for the Cumberland River in Nashville from late Thursday until Friday morning.

At 6 a.m. Thursday, the stage was 28.9 feet. Minor flooding is in the forecast. Flood stage is 40.0 feet.

The forecast is for the river to rise above flood stage by after midnight Friday and continue to rise to near 40.0 feet by after midnight Friday. The river will fall below flood stage by after midnight Friday.

An updated river forecast and dam release information, including flood inundation maps, is anticipated after 3 p.m. today. The extent of the potential flooding and the specific areas that will be most impacted should be known at that time.


Metro agencies are making preparations now in anticipation of the Cumberland River reaching flood stage or beyond and will execute plans based on updated information received Thursday afternoon.

Metro officials have been in communication with representatives from Gaylord Opryland, Opry Mills, downtown businesses and residents, and the Pennington Bend community regarding flood risks and possible evacuation requests.

Residents are encouraged to consider personal preparedness measures, including moving personal belongings and vehicles to higher ground. Avoid flooded areas and never drive through flooded roadways as depth of water may be too great to pass.

Metro’s Community Hotline is open and available for citizens to call with questions or concerns. The hotline number is (615) 862-8574.
At 42.0 feet, water reaches the fourth grassy area of the Riverfront landing in downtown Nashville. At 40.0 feet, flooding begins along the river in and around the Nashville Metropolitan area. Flood waters approach some industrial areas downtown and Cumberland Field airport.

At 39.0 feet, water overflows the river bank along Pennington Bend near Opry Mills and approaches the landing at Riverfront park in downtown Nashville.

At 38.5 feet, water reaches several low lying areas along the Cumberland River in and around the Nashville area. The Pennington Bend area near Opry Mills begins to flood.

At 38.0 feet, water begins to inundate the third grassy area of the Riverfront landing in downtown nashville and paved walking and biking trails in the Shelby Bottoms area.

At 34.0 feet, in downtown Nashville water reaches the second grassy area of the Riverfront landing and covers most of the access area on the east side of the river near LP Field. In east Nashville water reaches dirt trails in the Shelby Bottoms park area.

At 30.0 feet, in downtown Nashville the first grassy area of the riverfront landing, and the access point on the east side of the river near LP Field are inundated.

At 25.0 feet, in downtown Nashville the riverfront areas on both sides of the river begin to be inundated.