Catastrophic flooding in middle Tennessee left at least eight dead and dozens missing as rains washed away homes and rural roads on Saturday.
Humphreys county sheriff Chris Davis told news outlets at least 30 people had been reported missing. The county, which is about 60 miles (96km) west of Nashville, saw more than 15in (38cm) of rain, according to the Tennessean, prompting water rescues, road closures, and communications disruptions.
National Weather Service meteorologist Krissy Hurley told the newspaper the area had received about 20-25% of its typical annual rainfall in a single morning.
Cities in Humphreys county such as Waverly and McEwen were facing a “dire, catastrophic situation”, she said. “People are trapped in their homes and have no way to get out.”
Waverly couple Cindy Dunn, 48, and her husband, Jimmy, 49, were rescued from their attic by a crew who used a bulldozer to reach them.
“Hell. That’s what we had to go through,” Cindy Dunn said.
She told the Tennessean that her husband woke her up Saturday, telling her that flood waters had pushed her car to their back yard. Eventually the water in their house rose to at least 6 feet (1.8m) high, forcing them to the attic. Dunn said the rooftop wasn’t an option.
“My husband is dealing with cancer. He’s going through chemotherapy. And I am an amputee. So there was no going anywhere besides the attic,” Dunn said.
Dunn said their home and neighboring houses “are gone”.
Hickman county chief deputy Rob Edwards said in a text message to the newspaper that several people were missing and cellphone service has been disrupted throughout the county.
Governor Bill Lee tweeted on Saturday: “Tennesseans, please stay cautious of rising flood waters caused by heavy rainfall in parts of Middle TN. We are actively working with emergency response officials & first responders as they support Tennesseans in flooded areas.”
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency activated its emergency operations center and said agencies including the Tennessee national guard, the state highway patrol, and fire mutual aid were responding to the flooding. In a bulletin, TEMA called the situation “dangerous and evolving” and urged people to avoid travel in the affected counties.
Flash flood warnings were in effect for parts of Dickson, Houston and Montgomery and Stewart counties on Saturday evening.