Record rainfall amounts of around 12 inches fell within 48 hours across parts of middle Tennessee. This rainfall resulted in record or near record stages on parts of the Cumberland River and Tennessee River, which flow into Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake. Combined with the heavy rainfall across western Kentucky, record inflow poured into Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley. Releases from Kentucky Dam and Barkley Dam were dramatically increased to compensate for the record inflow. Cumberland River elevations rose over 20 feet behind Barkley Dam as releases from the dam peaked at 303,000 cfs, surpassing the previous record. This caused flash flooding of communities below the dam. Releases were tapered down on the 5th as inflow into the lakes began slowing down. Inflow was still enough that pool levels above the dams (the lake stages) rose to near record levels. Lake levels rose to nearly 369 feet, almost 10 feet above the normal summer pool stage. There was widespread damage to docks and boat ramps along both lakes.

Flash Flood in CRITTENDEN, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAY-10 14:00:00 to 04-MAY-10 02:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: DYCUSBURG
Flood cause: Planned Dam Release
Property damage: 270.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Cumberland River rose rapidly as releases from Barkley Dam were increased to record levels. About a dozen residences were flooded in Dycusburg, and others were evacuated because they were isolated by floodwaters. The community that was primarily affected was Dycusburg. Water was two to three feet deep in some homes. There was extensive flooding of fields and woods. A few roads were closed, including State Route 295 at Dycusburg.

Flood in MARSHALL, KENTUCKY
From 06-MAY-10 14:00:00 to 08-MAY-10 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: AURORA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

High water levels on Kentucky Lake caused flooding of lakeshore docking facilities, boat ramps, and lake access roads. Many lakeshore resorts and campgrounds were closed due to flooding of their facilities. Marinas on the lake were closed, and some docks were damaged. Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park experienced flooding of low-lying areas, including breakwaters. The Coast Guard closed parts of Kentucky Lake to all recreational boating.

Flood in LYON, KENTUCKY
From 04-MAY-10 02:00:00 to 07-MAY-10 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: EUREKA
Flood cause: Planned Dam Release
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Cumberland River remained at very high levels as releases from Barkley Dam were maintained near record levels. A few residences stayed flooded, and others were vacant because they were isolated by floodwaters. Most of the houses that were affected were in the vicinity of U.S. Highway 62 immediately below the dam. There was extensive flooding of fields and woods. A number of roads were closed, including State Route 917. The Coast Guard closed the river to all boating traffic.

Flood in LYON, KENTUCKY
From 06-MAY-10 14:00:00 to 08-MAY-10 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: MONT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

High water levels on Kentucky Lake caused flooding of lakeshore docking facilities, boat ramps, and lake access roads. Hillman Ferry Campground within the Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area experienced considerable flooding. Dozens of campsites were underwater, and a couple of roads were inundated. Water backed up into bays and tributary creeks, causing flooding inland from the lake. Most trails, roads, and camping facilities in the Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area were closed. Large parts of the lake were closed to recreational boating per order of the Coast Guard.

Flood in TRIGG, KENTUCKY
From 06-MAY-10 14:00:00 to 08-MAY-10 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAUREL FURNACE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

High water levels on Kentucky Lake caused flooding of lakeshore docking facilities, boat ramps, and lake access roads. Water backed up into bays and tributary creeks, causing flooding inland from the lake. Most trails, roads, and camping facilities in the Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area were closed. The Coast Guard closed large parts of Kentucky Lake to recreational boating.

Flash Flood in LYON, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAY-10 14:00:00 to 04-MAY-10 02:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: EUREKA
Flood cause: Planned Dam Release
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Cumberland River rose rapidly as releases from Barkley Dam were increased to record levels. The river rose about one foot per hour, peaking around 350 feet at Barkley Dam. A few residences were flooded, and others were evacuated because they were isolated by floodwaters. Most of the houses that were affected were in the vicinity of U.S. Highway 62 immediately below the dam. Sandbagging efforts helped minimize damage to a couple homes. One house was surrounded by over 5,000 sandbags. There was extensive flooding of fields and woods. A number of roads were closed. A state of emergency was declared in the county.

Flood in TRIGG, KENTUCKY
From 06-MAY-10 14:00:00 to 08-MAY-10 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: CANTON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

High water levels on Lake Barkley caused flooding of marinas, boat ramps, and lake access roads. At Lake Barkley Marina, there was considerable damage to docks. Nine or ten roads were closed in the Linton area. A few houses in the Linton area were isolated by the swollen lake. No homes were threatened, but some lakeside residents were forced to detour around flooded roads. Water backed up into bays and tributary creeks, causing flooding inland from the lake. Most trails, roads, and camping facilities in the Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area were closed. The lake was closed to recreational boating by order of the Coast Guard.

Flood in LIVINGSTON, KENTUCKY
From 06-MAY-10 14:00:00 to 08-MAY-10 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAKE CITY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

High water levels on Kentucky Lake caused flooding of a marina, boat ramps, and lake access roads. Water backed up into bays and tributary creeks, causing flooding inland from the lake. Large parts of Kentucky Lake were closed to recreational boating by order of the Coast Guard.

Flash Flood in LIVINGSTON, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAY-10 14:00:00 to 04-MAY-10 02:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: IUKA
Flood cause: Planned Dam Release
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 10.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Cumberland River rose rapidly as releases from Barkley Dam were increased to record levels. River levels rose at the rate of about one foot per hour. The tailwater elevation below the dam rose to around 350 feet. About a dozen residences were flooded, and about 10 others were evacuated because they were isolated by floodwaters. Vehicles and other equipment were damaged or destroyed by the rapidly rising floodwaters. The communities that were heavily affected were Iuka and the east side of Lake City. Sandbagging efforts helped avert damage to a few homes. A couple of houses on the outskirts of Tiline were flooded. There was extensive flooding of fields and woods. A number of roads were closed, including most of State Route 917 and State Route 93 near Iuka. A state of emergency was declared in the county. A Red Cross shelter was opened in Grand Rivers for displaced residents.

Flood in LYON, KENTUCKY
From 06-MAY-10 14:00:00 to 08-MAY-10 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: EUREKA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

High water levels on Lake Barkley caused flooding of marinas, boat ramps, and lake access roads. Sandbagging was needed to protect a building at the Kuttawa Harbor Marina. All marinas on the lake were closed. Lake Barkley was closed to recreational boating by order of the Coast Guard. Water backed up into bays and tributary creeks, causing flooding inland from the lake. Most trails, roads, and camping facilities in the Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area were closed.

Flood in CRITTENDEN, KENTUCKY
From 04-MAY-10 02:00:00 to 07-MAY-10 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: DYCUSBURG
Flood cause: Planned Dam Release
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Cumberland River remained steady at very high levels as releases from Barkley Dam were maintained near record levels. About a dozen residences stayed flooded, and others remained vacant because they were isolated by floodwaters. The community that was primarily affected was Dycusburg. There was extensive flooding of fields and woods. A few roads were closed, including State Route 295 at Dycusburg.

Flood in LIVINGSTON, KENTUCKY
From 04-MAY-10 02:00:00 to 07-MAY-10 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAKE CITY
Flood cause: Planned Dam Release
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Cumberland River remained steady at very high levels as releases from Barkley Dam were maintained near record levels. About a dozen residences stayed flooded, and others remained vacant because they were isolated by floodwaters. The communities that were heavily affected were Iuka, Lake City, and Tiline. Most of the flooded residences were in the Lake City area, where water was up to the windows of some houses. Iuka, a community of about 35 residents, was essentially an island surrounded by floodwaters. There was extensive flooding of fields and woods. Livestock rescue efforts were conducted around Iuka. A number of roads were closed, including State Routes 917 and 93. The Coast Guard closed the Cumberland River to all boating traffic.

Flood in CALLOWAY, KENTUCKY
From 06-MAY-10 14:00:00 to 08-MAY-10 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: HAMLIN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

High water levels on Kentucky Lake caused flooding of lakeshore docking facilities, boat ramps, and lake access roads. Marinas were closed, and some docks were damaged. Water backed up into bays and tributary creeks, causing flooding inland from the lake. The Coast Guard closed much of the lake to recreational boating.