2021 — Aug 21, 15-17 inch rain/24- hrs., flooding, Humphreys County, esp. Waverly, TN– 20

–22 The Weather Channel. “Tennessee Flooding Death Toll Climbs to 22…” 8-22-2021.
–20 Nashville Tennessean. “Drone footage shows destruction of deadly Tennessee…” 8-26-2021.
–20 Nashville Tennessean. “Tennessee flooding updates: Final death toll at 20…” 8-25-2021.
–18 (3 others missing). AP. “Tennessee flood…” Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Little Rock. 8-25-2021.

Narrative Information (chronological)

Aug 22, Weather Channel: “The death toll has risen to 22 in catastrophic flooding that ripped through portions of Middle Tennessee on Saturday. Twelve additional deaths were reported by the sheriff in Humphreys County on Sunday, adding to the 10 confirmed Saturday night. The number of missing is now estimated at 50. The hardest-hit area is about 40 miles west of Nashville….

“Searchers continued to comb through the rubble Sunday. The state of Tennessee activated its Emergency Operations Center and, in an update Sunday morning, said improving weather would help rescuers expand their efforts. At least 100 homes and 25 businesses had been searched as of 10 a.m. Sunday.

“Multiple bridges and roadways remained close in the area. More than 10,000 customers were without power and 89 people stayed in a shelter Saturday night.

“The flooding from torrential rainfall trapped residents in their homes, closed highways and prompted multiple water rescues Saturday morning….

“People took to their roofs and attics to escape the floodwaters and await rescue. Homes were swept away and communities destroyed.

“On Saturday, officials described dire circumstances in Humphreys County. ‘People are trapped in their homes and have no way to get out. Water is up to their necks. It is catastrophic, the worst kind of situation,’ Krissy Hurley, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Nashville, told the Tennessean.

“The Tennessee National Guard deployed soldiers and airmen to the area in response to the flooding. Three helicopter aquatic rescue teams from the state, as well as swift water rescue teams from Nashville, were also sent to assist.

“Between 15 and 17 inches of rain was reported in 24 hours in areas around Dickson, Houston, Humphreys and Hickman counties. Some of those amounts are equal to 25% of the normal rainfall for the entire year, according to the NWS.” (The Weather Channel. “Tennessee Flooding Death Toll Climbs to 22; Dozens Still Missing.” 8-22-2021.)

Aug 25, AP: “Waverly, Tenn. — Crews with chainsaws and heavy equipment cleared their way through trees densely matted with vegetation, garbage and building debris Tuesday [24th] as searchers scoured a normally shallow creek for more flooding victims in rural Tennessee. Even cars and sheds were woven into the tangle of debris lining Trace Creek in Humphreys County, where the town of Waverly saw the most death and destruction from Saturday’s flooding that killed 18 people. Three people remained unaccounted for Tuesday….

“…one car was found about a half-mile from where it had been parked, Humphreys County Chief Deputy Rob Edwards said….

“As the search for the missing continues, officials have started to comprehend the scope of devastation in the community. Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis said hundreds of homes have been affected by the flooding and estimated about 125 were ruined….

“Authorities revised the confirmed death toll to 18 people Tuesday, a drop from as high as 22. Waverly Police Chief Grant Gillespie said that some people who were in the emergency room and died of natural causes were mistakenly added to the count. John and Jane Doe victims twice were not crossed off the list once they were identified, he said….Three people are still on the list of those missing who witnesses said they saw in the water, he said….” (Associated Press. “Tennessee flood victims sought.” Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Little Rock. 8-25-2021.)

Sources

Associated Press. “At least 22 dead, dozens missing in Tennessee after 17 inches of rain causing devastating flooding.” 6abc News, Philadelphia. Accessed 8-22-2021 at: https://6abc.com/central-tennessee-floods-flash-flooding-flood-in-tn-waverly/10967631/

Associated Press. “Tennessee flood victims sought.” Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Little Rock. 8-25-2021. Accessed 8-25-2021 at: https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2021/aug/25/tennessee-flood-victims-sought/

Nashville Tennessean (Molly Weisner). “Drone footage shows destruction of deadly Tennessee flooding in Wave3rly, Humphreys County.” 8-26-2021. Accessed 8-26-2021 at: https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/2021/08/26/drone-footage-damage-waverly-tennessee-flood-west-nashville/5598732001/

Nashville Tennessean. “Tennessee flooding updates: Final death toll at 20; Gov. Bill Lee declares state of emergency.” 8-25-2021. Accessed 8-26-2021 at: https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2021/08/25/waverly-tennessee-floods-updates-residents-recovery-clean-up-continues/5580894001/

The Weather Channel. “Tennessee Flooding Death Toll Climbs to 22; Dozens Still Missing.” 8-22-2021. Accessed 8-22-2021 at: https://weather.com/news/news/2021-08-22-tennessee-flooding-toll-rises