It's Been 10 Years Since Nashville Experienced Its Most Devastating Flood In History

It’s been ten years, almost to the day, since Nashville experienced one of its most devastating natural disasters in the city’s history. The Flood of 2010 rocked the community in a way that the contemporary city hadn’t yet known, and Music City banded together with a camaraderie that was revisited in March of 2020 after the Nashville tornadoes. As the city is yet again rocked by the COVID-19 pandemic that has gripped the world, Nashvillians are showing their salt by way of community response and care. The same folks that came together in 2010 are responding to the heartache of 2020 with grit and grace.

Although the present may be heavy with its own requirement, there’s something to be said of where Nashville has been and what it has become.

Eric Hamiter - Flickr

On May 1st and 2nd, 2010, Nashville experienced a torrential downpour of rain. The intense storms quickly through the city and the infrastructure was soon overwhelmed by the sudden influx of water. Tennessee, Mississippi, and Kentucky were inundated, but Nashville experienced pure devastation in what is now known as, "The 1,000 Year Floods."

Nashville Flood - Wikipedia

The Cumberland River that runs right through the center of Nashville crested at 51.86 feet, which is a number that hasn't been recorded since flood control measures were first introduced to the city in 1937.

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Nashville Flood - Wikipedia

Downtown was devastating. 13.57 inches of rain fell from May 1st to the 2nd, which is not Nashville's record rainfall account. It doubled the earlier record, which was a mere 6.68 inches in 1979.

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Denise Mattox - Flickr

Nashville was humbled like never before. Twenty-six people died from the flooding in both Tennessee and Kentucky, and eleven were lost in Nashville alone. Near 11,000 properties were either highly damaged or completely destroyed.

Denise Mattox - Flickr

With more than 10,000 people out of housing, both volunteers and victims banded together to rise above the tragedy. It's been estimated that there was $2 billion worth of private property damage and a whopping $120 million worth of damage to Nashville public infrastructure.

Eric Hamiter - Flickr

Homes were demolished, businesses shuttered, and even the traffic-logged Opry Mills was flooded with 10-feet of water. The mall stayed closed for almost two years and reopened in March of 2012.

Denise Mattox - Flickr

Still, the music went on. The city banded together and the people rose above the murky water. It took time, yes, but homes were rebuilt and businesses restored. The city rose again, as Nashville as almost meant to do. As it will continue to do.

You can learn more about the city of Nashville with a visit to our site archives.