Water rescues reported in Nashville as relentless rain slams region

More storms headed to Nashville after heavy rain floods Music City

FOX News Correspondent Madison Scarpino reports form Nashville where water is running high after round after round of storms has dumped heavy rain and flooded streets.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Much of Middle Tennessee is grappling with flash flooding triggered by a stalled weather pattern that has led to repeated rounds of excessive rainfall. 

Central and western portions of the Volunteer State have been hit hardest, with some areas bracing for a foot of rain, and isolated locations expecting even higher totals into the early weekend. 

The ongoing rainfall has created hazardous travel conditions, with life-threatening flash flooding becoming a growing concern across the region.

The Nashville Fire Department responded to more than a dozen high-water calls Thursday, and responders are preparing for more water rescues in the days ahead.

Video by James Otto showed an inundated parking lot, with floodwaters submerging several vehicles.

There have been no reported weather-related fatalities from Davidson County.

"This morning was the worst flooding I’ve seen in Green Hills in 25 years of living here," Otto said in a Facebook post.

Cars submerged in parking lot as flash flooding seizes Nashville

Cars were stranded in a parking lot when flash flooding impacted Green Hill, a suburb of Nashville, Tennessee, on Thursday. Video filmed by James Otto shows the inundated parking lot, with floodwaters submerging several vehicles.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee issued an emergency declaration for 95 counties, and local authorities have issued warnings urging residents to stay vigilant over the next 72 hours due to potential weather-related impacts. 

Flooding hits central Tennessee as weather officials warn of severe thunderstorms

Flash flooding affected parts of central Tennessee on Thursday as the National Weather Service said that severe thunderstorms were moving across the region. This footage of a partially flooded road was captured by the Humphreys County Sheriff’s Office, who urged residents to avoid flooded roadways.

"Saturday is the day that concerns me the most right now," said Meteorologist Ryan Husted with the National Weather Service in Nashville. "Because we have time for our atmosphere to recharge, which means we have the potential for dangerous severe thunderstorms once again. In addition, our ground is saturated – that means any rain that falls will run off and it’s going to cause flooding. I’m very confident in this that Saturday is a dangerous day for flash flooding going into Saturday night."

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Flash flooding underway in Nashville ahead of potential "generational flooding"

Flooding was underway Thursday morning in Nashville, Tennessee. Cars were seen stuck in floodwaters in South Nashville in the early-morning hours. The Trace Creek in the Bellevue neighborhood was well out of its banks.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation has closed numerous roadways due to floodwaters, a situation reminiscent of the catastrophic flooding seen during remnants of hurricanes.

TDOT officials also shared a video from Carroll County, between Memphis and Nashville, where some state roadways were completely inundated by floodwaters. Transportation officials said the advice to follow over the next couple of days is critical but rather simple: "Turn around, don't drown."

Flooding also impacted interstates 40 and 50, but lanes remained open, preventing the complete closure.

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Flood threat continues through weekend

The FOX Forecast Center said the weather pattern responsible for the ongoing rainfall is likely to persist through at least early Sunday. 

A look at the rain forecast through Sunday.

(FOX Weather)

Drier conditions are expected to move into the region by the end of the weekend, offering some relief from the torrential downpours and time to clean up from the severe weather and flooding.

Until then, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency has urged people in flood zones to monitor for updates on weather and road conditions. Nashville Police have also been stepping up their patrols to ensure that people stay away from flooded rivers and streams.