NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Fifteen years ago, historic floodwaters swallowed parts of Middle Tennessee, killing dozens, damaging thousands of homes and businesses, and forever changing the landscape of the region.
In May 2010, more than 13 inches of rain fell over just 36 hours, causing the Cumberland River to breach its banks. Flooding stretched from Bellevue to Downtown Nashville, leaving entire communities underwater. Eleven people died in Davidson County alone. The total cost of the damage exceeded $2 billion, making it one of the most devastating natural disasters in Tennessee’s history.
Since then, the city of Nashville along with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers has invested heavily in flood mitigation efforts. These include home buyouts in high-risk areas and improvements to the region’s drainage systems. While these upgrades have significantly reduced the likelihood of widespread flooding, experts caution that the threat isn’t gone…