The deadliest flash flood to ever affect Middle Tennessee, and one of the worst natural disasters in the history of the state, struck the region on Saturday, August 21, 2021. Occurring only a few months after another deadly and disastrous flash flood impacted the Nashville metro area on March 27-28, 2021 and killed 7 people, this flash flood left catastrophic damage across several counties in western Middle Tennessee, including parts of Dickson County, Hickman County, Houston County, and especially Humphreys County. The flood waters damaged or destroyed hundreds of homes, businesses, vehicles, and schools, with many buildings washed completely off their foundations. The damage was so severe that a Presidential Disaster Declaration was declared for Humphreys County two days later on August 23, 2021. Later in the week, Dickson, Hickman, and Houston Counties also received a Presidential Disaster Declaration. Very sadly, a total of 20 people were determined to have drowned in the flood, 19 of which were in the city of Waverly, TN, and 1 in the community of Hurricane Mills.
This historic flash flood occurred as a thunderstorms repeatedly developed along a weak surface front located over western Middle Tennessee during the morning hours of August 21. With a very moisture-laden atmosphere in place characterized by precipitable water values measured at 2.37 inches on the 12Z OHX upper air balloon sounding, these thunderstorms produced extreme rainfall rates over 3 inches per hour for several hours, resulting in rainfall totals reaching over 10 to 20 inches in a narrow, roughly 25 mile wide by 50 mile long swath across Houston, Dickson, Humphreys, and Hickman Counties. A rain gauge at the McEwen Wastewater Treatment Plant measured a rainfall total of 20.73 inches from midnight to 7pm CDT, which was verified by NWS personnel and set a new Tennessee state record for 24-hour rainfall. In addition to the flash flooding, one brief tornado was determined to have touched down in rural Dickson County northwest of Charlotte.

Flash Flood in DICKSON, TENNESSEE
From 21-AUG-21 04:12:00 to 21-AUG-21 04:12:00 (CST-6)
Location: EAST SIDE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Multiple roads were closed due to high water across Dickson and the southern part of Dickson County.

Flash Flood in DICKSON, TENNESSEE
From 21-AUG-21 06:00:00 to 21-AUG-21 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: DICKSON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Highway 46 near College Street was closed due to flooding.

Flash Flood in DICKSON, TENNESSEE
From 21-AUG-21 06:40:00 to 21-AUG-21 06:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: OAK GROVE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Water covered the roadways at Highway 48 and Brazzell Road.

Flash Flood in HICKMAN, TENNESSEE
From 21-AUG-21 06:50:00 to 21-AUG-21 06:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: BON AQUA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Tatum Road between Highway 100 and Highway 7 was closed and impassable due to flooding.

Flash Flood in DICKSON, TENNESSEE
From 21-AUG-21 07:00:00 to 21-AUG-21 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: TENNESSEE CITY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 401.61K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Numerous roads were damaged and closed throughout Dickson County, with dozens of water rescues being conducted. TEMA reported damage to roads throughout the county totaled $401,606.

Flash Flood in HICKMAN, TENNESSEE
From 21-AUG-21 07:00:00 to 21-AUG-21 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: PINEWOOD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Campers and vehicles were flooded with people trapped near Nunnelly.

Flash Flood in STEWART, TENNESSEE
From 21-AUG-21 07:00:00 to 21-AUG-21 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: DOVER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Campers and cars were flooded in the 600 block of Cox Hollow Road.

Heavy Rain in HICKMAN, TENNESSEE
From 21-AUG-21 07:00:00 to 21-AUG-21 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: PINEWOOD
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

CoCoRaHS station TN-HM-2 measured 11.66 inches of rain since midnight. Piney River Road was flooded as were several house basements.

Flash Flood in HUMPHREYS, TENNESSEE
From 21-AUG-21 07:05:00 to 21-AUG-21 07:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: WAVERLY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Several water rescues were ongoing just east of Waverly in Humphreys County.

Flash Flood in DICKSON, TENNESSEE
From 21-AUG-21 07:09:00 to 21-AUG-21 07:09:00 (CST-6)
Location: DICKSON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Several homes were flooded on Royal Oak Drive in Dickson.

Flash Flood in DICKSON, TENNESSEE
From 21-AUG-21 07:11:00 to 21-AUG-21 07:11:00 (CST-6)
Location: MT SINAI
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Water covered the road near 825 North Mount Sinai Road.

Flash Flood in DICKSON, TENNESSEE
From 21-AUG-21 07:34:00 to 21-AUG-21 07:34:00 (CST-6)
Location: OAK GROVE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

A home was flooded at Highway 48 South and I-40.

Flash Flood in HOUSTON, TENNESSEE
From 21-AUG-21 07:50:00 to 21-AUG-21 07:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: SPRING HILL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 612.99K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Numerous roads were closed due to widespread flash flooding across Houston County. TEMA reported damage to roads throughout the county totaled $612,992.

Flash Flood in DICKSON, TENNESSEE
From 21-AUG-21 08:06:00 to 21-AUG-21 08:06:00 (CST-6)
Location: DICKSON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Several apartments in the Hidden Valley Apartments complex on Spring Street near Henslee Drive were flooded with water up to the roofs of cars in the parking lot.

Flash Flood in DICKSON, TENNESSEE
From 21-AUG-21 08:09:00 to 21-AUG-21 08:09:00 (CST-6)
Location: DICKSON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Several homes and businesses were flooded near Highway 70 South across from Tristart Horizon Hospital.

Flash Flood in MAURY, TENNESSEE
From 21-AUG-21 18:52:00 to 21-AUG-21 18:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: SANTA FE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Santa Fe Pike is flooded and impassable.

Flash Flood in MAURY, TENNESSEE
From 21-AUG-21 19:28:00 to 21-AUG-21 19:28:00 (CST-6)
Location: WILLIAMSPORT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Several roads were flooded across Maury County including Snow Creek at Mingo Branch Road, Snow Creek Road at Mercantile Road, Willamsport Pike, Lynn Circle, 2635 Roy Dodson Road, and Roberts Bend At Highway 7.

Flash Flood in MAURY, TENNESSEE
From 21-AUG-21 20:05:00 to 21-AUG-21 20:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: TIMMONS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Knob Creek Road at Highway 7 was flooded and impassable.

Flash Flood in MAURY, TENNESSEE
From 21-AUG-21 20:05:00 to 21-AUG-21 20:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: PORTERS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Polk Lane at Reece Church Road was flooded and impassable.

Heavy Rain in DICKSON, TENNESSEE
From 21-AUG-21 19:00:00 to 21-AUG-21 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: DICKSON
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The Dickson COOP observer measured 11.60 inches of rain since midnight.

Flash Flood in HUMPHREYS, TENNESSEE
From 21-AUG-21 09:00:00 to 21-AUG-21 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: PIGEON ROOST
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 100.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

An historic, devastating flash flood struck the city of Waverly along the Trace Creek river basin. A fast-moving flood wave traveling westward down Trace Creek caused flood waters to rise several feet in roughly a 10 minute timespan between 1000am to 1010am CDT, flooding hundreds of homes, businesses, and churches, some of which were washed off their foundations. News reports and information from the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency indicated a total of 523 homes were impacted by the flooding, with 272 totally destroyed, 168 with major damage, 31 with minor damage, and 20 affected. 44 businesses and 8 public facilities were also damaged, including the Waverly Elementary School and Waverly Junior High School which will have to be torn down are rebuilt in a different location. Dozens of cars were also washed away and deposited long distances downstream, and many of the roadway bridges than spanned Trace Creek were knocked off their pilings and heavily damaged. TEMA reported damage to roads and schools alone totaled $31,844,911, with an additional estimated $60-70 million in damage to homes and businesses. 19 people were killed in Waverly, along with 1 other who died in Hurricane Mills, making this the deadliest flash flood in Middle Tennessee history.

Flash Flood in HICKMAN, TENNESSEE
From 21-AUG-21 08:00:00 to 21-AUG-21 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: SPOT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Several buildings at Sugar Creek Campground were flooded.

Flash Flood in HICKMAN, TENNESSEE
From 21-AUG-21 08:00:00 to 21-AUG-21 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: PINEWOOD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

CoCoRaHS station TN-HM-2 reported flash flooding from the nearby Piney River destroyed his house. The observer reported 13.26 inches of rain before the rain gauge and his house were washed away.

Flash Flood in HICKMAN, TENNESSEE
From 21-AUG-21 10:45:00 to 21-AUG-21 10:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: VERNON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The Piney River at Vernon USGS river gauge measured a peak crest of 32.78 feet at 1145am CDT, which is the highest on record for that location and 5 feet above the May 2010 flood. River level data for this location began in 1925.

Flash Flood in HUMPHREYS, TENNESSEE
From 21-AUG-21 09:00:00 to 21-AUG-21 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: HURRICANE MILLS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Major flash flooding affected the Hurricane Mills community along Hurricane Creek. Several buildings at the Loretta Lynn Ranch and Campground were flooded and damaged, and the pavement on Hurricane Mills Road was washed away in several locations. A ranch foreman at Loretta Lynn's ranch died while checking on animals in a stable and getting swept away by the rising flood waters.

Flash Flood in DICKSON, TENNESSEE
From 21-AUG-21 07:03:00 to 21-AUG-21 07:03:00 (CST-6)
Location: FAIRVIEW
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Homes were flooded around Greystone Golf Club in Dickson.

Flash Flood in HUMPHREYS, TENNESSEE
From 21-AUG-21 09:00:00 to 21-AUG-21 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: WAVERLY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Major flash flooding occurred along Blue Creek south of Waverly. Areas around around the Humphreys County Farmers Co-op were flooded, including several homes and businesses. Highway 13 was closed and impassable due to the flooding, with debris and vehicles littering the roadway.

Heavy Rain in HUMPHREYS, TENNESSEE
From 21-AUG-21 00:00:00 to 21-AUG-21 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: MC EWEN
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

A rain gauge at the McEwen Wastewater Treatment Plant measured a rainfall total of 20.73 inches from midnight to 7pm CDT. This rainfall total, which was verified by NWS personnel, set a new Tennessee state record for 24-hour rainfall and shattered the previous state record of 13.6 inches. This also became the highest 24-hour rainfall amount for any non-coastal state in the country.

Tornado in DICKSON, TENNESSEE
From 21-AUG-21 16:58:00 to 21-AUG-21 16:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: TAYLOR XRDS
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This small, brief EF-0 tornado was found in June 2022 through newly available high resolution satellite imagery, and was determined to have touched down in rural, inaccessible forests around 4.5 miles northwest of Charlotte. The tornado began to the southwest of Adams Road and moved southeast, blowing down numerous trees in a clearly convergent, spiral pattern before lifting northwest of Big Bartons Creek Road.