Heavy, slow-moving thunderstorms turned parts of Robertson County and neighboring communities into temporary waterways Tuesday, as a flash flood warning prompted urgent calls for residents to get to higher ground and stay off flooded roads. By midafternoon, pockets of low-lying streets and creeks across the area were reported impassable.
The National Weather Service in Nashville issued the Flash Flood Warning on Tuesday afternoon, putting Mitchellville, Oak Grove, Fairfield, Orlinda, Portland, Mount Juliet, and sections of Nashville and Gallatin on notice for dangerous flooding, according to NWS Nashville. Radar and emergency-management reports showed that 2 to 4 inches of rain had already fallen in spots, with forecasters warning of additional heavy downpours into the evening, per WeatherBug.
Communities Hit And Local Impacts
Local crews reported flooded roads and overflowing creeks in parts of Robertson and surrounding counties, and NewsChannel 5 noted flash flood warnings for Davidson, Robertson, and Sumner counties as motorists were urged to steer clear of standing water. The station repeated the well-worn but sobering reminder that as little as six inches of moving water can carry a vehicle, which is not a gamble most drivers want to test.
Robertson County officials shared National Weather Service graphics on the sheriff's Facebook page showing the warning potentially covered roughly 96,686 people, 28 schools, and two hospitals, according to the Robertson County Sheriff's Office. Those figures came from NWS situational overlays used in current warning products and were circulated by local emergency management to underscore the scope of the threat.
Residents were urged to move to higher ground immediately and to avoid walking or driving through flood waters, guidance reiterated by NWS flood safety guidance. Officials also encouraged people to stay tuned to local emergency channels and National Weather Service updates as conditions continued to evolve through the evening.
