Anyone up for a swim? [View All]

State and Metro efforts are under way to sandbag the MetroCenter levee, which has become a concern today as the Cumberland River water level continues to rise.

The river, which is already above flood level, is now expected to crest at 52.5 feet at 8 p.m. this evening, according to new predictions from the National Weather Service.

The levee at MetroCenter has been leaking water since the weekend, and the MetroCenter area at North Nashville has been evacuated.

Additionally, Metro has begun precautionary sandbagging efforts at the Omohundro Water Treatment Plant. (That plant, about a mile and a half from where I live, is one of two water treatment facilities in the city. The other one is under water.)

Metro officials said via a press release they are working closely with the Corps of Engineers and the National Weather Service to monitor the rise in water levels from “additional flooding in Davidson County.” (We're being advised to start conserving water.)

More at http://www.tennessean.com/article/20100503/NEWS01/5030340

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Cumberland River was expected to crest at 8 p.m. Monday but would not begin receding until Tuesday, according to the Nashville mayor's office. First to Fifth Avenues were closed at 5:20 p.m. in downtown Nashville.

The Cumberland flooded quickly after the weekend's storms dumped more than 13 inches of rain in Nashville over two days. That nearly doubled the previous record of 6.68 inches of rain that fell in the wake of Hurricane Fredrick in 1979. (The average yearly precipitation total is about 48 inches.)

The National Weather Service advised that major flooding is expected to continue along Cumberland River Monday followed by a gradual decrease in water levels, and that homes in the area should be evacuated.

More at http://www.wsmv.com/weather/23328754/detail.html