2010 — May 1-2, Severe Storms, Flash Flooding, Tornadoes, KY, MS, esp. TN –31-35
–31-35 Blanchard tally based upon State breakouts below.
— 31 CNN. “Storm death toll at 31 as floodwaters recede.” 5-7-1010.
— >29 NBC News. “Rescuers hope for no more victims in floods.” msnbc.com, 5-5-2010.[1]
— >27 CNN. “At least 27 dead as storms pound Southeast.” 5-4-2010.
— 26 TN/KY. The Tennessean. “20 things to know about the 2010 Nashville flood.” 5-3-2016.
— 22 AP. “Officials Brace for more Flooding in US South as River Swells…” May 3, 2010
Breakout of Fatalities by State
Kentucky ( 4)
— 4 AP. “Officials Brace for more Flooding in US South as River Swells…” May 3, 2010.
— 4 State. National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 52, No. 5, May 2010, pp. 172-180.
— 1 Allen Co., Snake Creek ~Forest Springs, May 1. Flash flood; drowning, male left vehicle.[2]
— 1 Barren County, Dover Church Rd., 2m SE of Dry Fork, May 2. Flash flood drowning.[3]
— 1 Lincoln County, Hanging Fork River, Stanford, May 2. Flash flood; van swept off road.[4]
— 1 Madison Co., Redhouse, May 2. Flash flooding; water in home; drowning/electrocution.[5]
Mississippi ( 4-6)
–4-6 State. Blanchard tally based on sources and breakouts below.[6]
— 6 AP. “Officials Brace for more Flooding in US South as River Swells…” May 3, 2010.
— 6 USA Today. “More victims feared as Tenn. Floodwaters recede.” 5-4-2010.
— 4 State. National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 52, No. 5, May 2010, pp. 273-280.
— 1 Alcorn Co., Shiloh Road near Shiloh Ridge Golf Course, May 2. Flash flood, vehicular.[7]
— 2 Benton County, near Ashland, May 2 tornado. Double-wide mobile home destroyed.[8]
— 1 Lafayette County, near Abbeville, May 2, EF2 tornado. House destroyed;[9] female, 45.[10]
Tennessee (23-25)
–25 Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.
–23 Statewide (22 flood fatalities and 1 tornado-related death). May 1-2. NCDC.[11]
–22 “ National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 52, No. 5, May 2010.
–21 “ TEMA. “State-wide Status report, issued at 3 p.m. May 7, 2010.”[12]
–18 Statewide. CNN. “At least 27 dead as storms pound Southeast.” 5-4-2010.
Locality Breakouts
— 1 Carroll Co. between McKenzie and Trezevant, May 1. Flash flood; drowning, car washed away.[13]
— 1 Cheatham County, Pegram. Male, 39, whose body was found 9-26-2010.[14]
–11 Davidson County.
— 1 Davidson County, Bell Rd. area, May 1. Flash flooding; drowning; male, 21.[15]
— 1 “ Nashville, Mill Creek. Male, 18, who had gone tubing with friends.[16]
— 2 Nashville, Davidson County, bodies found May 2. Flooded house.[17]
— 2 Nashville, Davidson Co., bodies found May 2. Vehicle overturned; submerged.[18]
–11 Davidson County, Rural Hill/Linton areas, May 1-4. Flooding.[19]
–11 Nashville area (County seat of Davidson County).[20]
–10 Davidson Co. (1 natural causes) TEMA. “State-wide Status report…May 7, 2010.”[21]
— 1 Gibson Co., 4m NE of Gibson, May 1. Flash Flood; drowning; victim swept off feet.[22]
— 1 Hardeman County, Pocahontas, May 2. EF3 tornado destroys mobile home.[23]
— 1 Hickman County, Bon Aqua/Centreville area, May 2-4. Flooding, drowning, female.[24]
— 1 Montgomery County. TEMA. “State-wide Status report, issued at 3 p.m. May 7, 2010.”
— 2 Perry Co., Lobelville/Flat Wood areas, May 2-4. Flooding; drowning; father/daughter.[25]
— 2 Shelby County:
— 1 Shelby County, Raleigh, May 1. Flash flooding; drowning; stranded vehicle.[26]
— 1 “ 4m WNW of Pisgah Hgts, 1m ENE of Cordova, May 1. Flash flood.[27]
— 2 Stewart Co. Drownings. TEMA. “State-wide Status report, issued at 3 p.m. May 7, 2010.”[28]
— 1 Tipton Co., Mason, May 1. Flash flood, drowning. NCDC. Storm Data, 52/5, pp. 520-521.
— 1 Williamson County. TEMA. “State-wide Status report, issued at 3 p.m. May 7, 2010.”
Narrative Information
NCDC Storm Data: “Outstanding Storm of the Month. Record Rainfall and Flooding in Tennessee: 23 Weather-related Deaths.
“May began with two days of historic rainfall over much of middle Tennessee, with the heaviest swath stretching along the I-40 corridor from Benton County to Davidson County. Some areas received nearly 20 inches of rain in this 2-day period, the highest of which was 19.41 inches reported by a CoCoRaHS observer in Camden, TN. Numerous rainfall records were broken at the Nashville International Airport, including the most rain received in a 6-hour period, highest calendar day rainfall, and wettest month, along with several others. Incredibly, the Nashville Airport experienced its wettest and third wettest days in history on back to back days.
“Many area rivers exceeded their record crest levels, including the Harpeth River near Kingston Springs which rose to 13.8 feet above the previous record. The Cumberland River at Nashville reached its highest level since flood control was implemented in the late 1960s, flooding parts of downtown Nashville. Waters from the Cumberland reached as far inland as 2nd Avenue, flooding many downtown businesses. Other rivers that set new record levels include the Buffalo River near Lobelville, the Cumberland River at Clarksville, the Duck River at Centerville and near Hurricane Mills, the Harpeth River at Bellevue, Mill Creek at Antioch and Woodbine, and the Red River near Port Royal.
“Forty-nine Tennessee counties were declared disaster areas with damage estimates of between $2 and $3 billion statewide. Many Nashville landmarks received damage from [end of p. 4] floodwaters, including Gaylord Opryland Hotel and the Grand Ole Opry. Other popular Nashville landmarks affected by the floods include LP Field, Bridgestone Arena, the Country Music Hall of Fame, and the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, which received damage to the basement and its contents, including two Steinway grand pianos and the console of the Martin Foundation Concert Organ. Over $300 million in Federal Disaster Assistance has been approved for the people of Tennessee.
“Davidson County was placed under a mandatory water conservation order for one month after floodwaters caused the closing of one of the city’s two water treatment facilities. The K.R. Harrington Water Treatment Plant was submerged during the early May flooding, and as a result could not produce clean water for the county. Metro Nashville’s water supply fell to one-third of its normal level after the flooding, causing car washes and plant nurseries to temporarily close their doors. During the flood, Nashville’s remaining Water Plant, the Omohundro Plant, came within inches of being inundated.
“Numerous roads and portions of several interstates around middle Tennessee were closed as a result of the flooding. Flash Flooding along the Mill Creek in Davidson County produced several
feet of fast moving water which completely blocked I-24. Several vehicles were washed away into the Mill Creek, and a large portable classroom trailer was filmed by a local TV helicopter as it was sucked under a bridge. West of Nashville, I-40 was closed for a couple days in Hickman County.
“Eighteen people lost their lives in Middle Tennessee during the early May flooding including 11 in metropolitan Nashville. Seven of the fatalities were vehicular in nature. Three of the victims entered the water on foot, while the other 8 deaths occurred in or near people’s homes. Thirteen of the 18 victims were over the age of 60 years old. In stark contrast to many other killer flood events, only 1 of the 18 deaths occurred at night. Statewide, there were 22 flood fatalities and 1 tornado related death.
“In addition to the heavy rainfall and flooding, several tornadoes occurred over middle Tennessee. On May 1, an EF-0 tornado occurred in Lawrence County. Most of the damage consisted of uprooted and snapped trees, although one home suffered minor roof damage. Six more tornadoes occurred on May 2, three of which were EF-1 intensity and two of which were EF-2. Fifty miles west of Nashville in Hickman County, a woman was injured and transported to a hospital when a tornado did substantial damage to her brick home in the Only Community.” [end of p. 5] (Nat. Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 52, No. 5, May 2010. Asheville, NC.)
May 2, CBS: “Memphis, Tenn. (CBS) — Authorities have found the bodies of four more people killed by floods in Nashville, Tenn. The death toll in the city had climbed to five Sunday night. At least 11 people have been killed in Tennessee and four in Mississippi after a series of powerful, record-setting thunderstorms brought tornadoes, record rains and flooding over the weekend. City of Nashville spokeswoman Gwen Hopkins says two victims were found Sunday in a flooded house and two were found in an overturned vehicle that was submerged by rising water. Tennessee Emergency Management Agency officials say there is likely a 12th victim, but a body has not been recovered….
“TEMA spokesman Jeremy Heidt confirmed that one person died around 4 a.m. local time Sunday in a possible tornado near Pocahontas, east of Memphis….
“Meanwhile, National Guard and Tennessee Highway Patrol helicopters with hoisting capabilities were on standby to rescue people from the floodwaters that covered city streets and left cars stranded on interstate highways turned into rivers.
”Thunderstorms dumped at least 10 inches of rain on Memphis and flooded highways and roads throughout the state….
“In northern Mississippi, officials said a man died after his car was submerged under flood waters. Two people died in a mobile home that “looks like you stuck about four sticks of dynamite on it and it just disappeared,” said Coroner John Riles….
“A line of strong thunderstorms Saturday dumped at least 10 inches (25 centimeters) of rain on Memphis and produced tornadoes and hail along the Mississippi River Valley in Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky and northward….” (CBS News. “Storm Kills 15 In Tennessee, Mississippi,” May 2, 2010.)
May 3, AP: “Nashville, Tennessee (AP) – Officials in Nashville are braced for more deaths as the flooded Cumberland River continues to swell, sending muddy water rushing through neighborhoods and threatening the historic heart of Music City after a destructive line of weekend storms killed 22 people in the U.S. South. The storms, which also spawned deadly tornadoes, killed at least 12 people in Tennessee, six in Mississippi and four in Kentucky. Most victims either drowned or were involved in weather-related traffic accidents.” (AP. “Officials Brace for more Flooding in US South as River Swells…” May 3, 2010.)
May 3, DNR: “Digital News Report – Downtown Nashville has been flooded after receiving record amounts of rain, 13 inches in only two days. The flooding has been so severe that the rain storm has been attributed to causing at least 15 deaths in Tennessee and adjoining states. The rains caused the Cumberland River to overflow into the streets of Nashville. The deluge of water had caused evacuations of business and hotels in downtown Nashville, including the famous Opryland Hotel, which had to relocate 1,500 guests to drier ground. There have been several schools and businesses closed from the flooding. Roadways have been damaged from the flooding as well. Tennessee government officials are calling in the National Guard to help in rescuing people that are stranded.” (Digital News Report. “Nashville Flooding from Record Rainfall,” May 3, 2010.)
Sources
Associated Press, Ashland, MS. “Miss. Hit by deadly weather again.” Laurel Leader Call, MS, 5-3-2010, p. 5. Accessed 6-15-2015 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/mississippi/laurel/laurel-leader-call/2010/05-03/page-5?tag=mississippi+dead+killed+die+death&rtserp=tags/mississippi?psi=57&pci=7&ndt=bd&pd=1&pm=5&py=2010&pe=4&pem=5&pey=2010&plo=dead-killed-die-death&psb=date
Associated Press. “Officials Brace for more Flooding in US South as River Swells; Death Toll now 22 in 3 States.” May 3, 2010. Accessed at: http://www.todayonline.com/BreakingNews/EDC100504-0000035/Officials-brace-for-more-flooding-in-US-South-as-river-swells-death-toll-now-22-in-3-states
Associated Press. “Tenn. Officials revise storm death toll to 6.” WMTV, Madison, WI, NBC15. 5-2-2010. Accessed 5-18-2016 at: http://www.nbc15.com/weather/headlines/92627664.html
Associated Press, Nashville. “Toll climbs: 15 dead in Tenn., Miss. Storms.” WTHR 13, IN, 5-3-2010. Accessed 5-18-2016 at: http://www.wthr.com/story/12413605/toll-climbs-15-dead-in-tenn-miss-storms
CBS News. “Storm Kills 15 In Tennessee, Mississippi.” 5-2-2010. Accessed at: http://wjz.com/national/tennessee.mississippi.storms.2.1669395.html
CNN. “At least 27 dead as storms pound Southeast.” 5-4-2010. Accessed 5-18-2016 at: http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/weather/05/03/tennessee.flooding.deaths/
CNN. “Storm death toll at 31 as floodwaters recede.” 5-7-1010. Accessed 5-18-2016 at: http://emm.newsexplorer.eu/NewsExplorer/clusteredition/en/20100507,cnn-9dbbc61256ee906880de5678c801fe50.html
CQ (Congressional Quarterly) HomelandSecurity. “Gov. Bredesen Interviewed on CNN.” CQ Newsmaker Transcripts, TV Programs, 5-6-2010. Accessed 5-10-2010.
Digital News Report. “Nashville Flooding from Record Rainfall,” May 3, 2010. Accessed at: http://www.digitalnewsreport.com/2010/05/03-nashville-flooding-from-record-rainfall/4374
Nashville Office of Emergency Management. “Mayor Dean Extends State of Emergency For Davidson County.” 5-10-2010, 6 pages. Accessed 5-26-2010 at: http://www.nashville.gov/oem/releases/100510a.asp
National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 52, No. 5, May 2010. Asheville, NC: NCDC, National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service, NOAA. Accessed 6-14-2015 at: http://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-29089330-72F6-4A0A-AC9C-A8FD61317B4F.pdf
National Climatic Data Center. Storm Events Database. “Event Details…Tornado…EF2… Mississippi …Lafayette [County/Area]… Abbeville.” Asheville, NC: NCDC, NOAA. Accessed 6-15-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=237801
National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, Memphis, TN. Flooding and 14 Tornadoes across the Mid-South on May 1 & 2, 2010. “…Preliminary EF-3 tornado in Benton and Tippah Counties in Mississippi and Hardeman and McNairy Counties in Tennessee…” 5-1-2012 modification. Accessed 6-15-2015 at: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/meg/?n=may12surveyinfo
NBC News. “Rescuers hope for no more victims in floods.” 5-5-2010. Accessed 5-18-2016 at: http://www.nbcnews.com/id/36891589/ns/weather/t/rescuers-hope-no-more-victims-floods/#.Vzyx9749Z14
South Cheatham Advocate, TN (Dale Graham). “Is This Your Dog? Danny Tomlinson’s Mom Continues Their Loving Mission.” Undated web archive article. Accessed 5-18-2016 at: http://www.scadvocate.com/2014/05/04/is-this-your-dog-danny-tomlinsons-mom-continues-their-loving-mission/
Tennessee Emergency Management Agency. “State-wide Status report, issued at 3 p.m. May 7, 2010.” Nashville, TN: TEMA. Accessed 9-4-2015: http://www.tnema.org/news/tema/?p=423
The City Paper, Nashville. “Body of missing teen found on Mill Creek bank.” 5-12-2010. Accessed 5-18-2016 at: http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/2010-flood/body-missing-teen-found-mill-creek-bank
The Tennessean, Nashville (Karen Grigsby). “20 things to know about the 2010 Nashville flood.” 5-3-2016. Accessed 5-18-2016 at: http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/2015/04/30/nashville-flood-20-things-to-know/26653901/
USA Today. “More victims feared as Tenn. Floodwaters recede.” 5-4-2010. Accessed 5-18-2016 at: http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/weather/floods/2010-05-04-south-floods_N.htm
[1] “At least 29 people were killed in Tennessee, Mississippi and Kentucky by either floodwaters or tornadoes.”
[2] National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 52, No. 5, May 2010, p. 172.
[3] “One fatality occurred when a person reportedly got out of her vehicle, was overcome by flood waters and was swept away.” (National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 52, No. 5, May 2010, p. 177.)
[4] “Heavy rains caused flash flooding of the Hanging Fork River on KY 300 near Stanford. One person died when a van with multiple passengers was swept off the road into the river. The driver of the van exited the vehicle and climbed onto the roof. He then lost his grip and fell into the rushing water.” (National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 52, No. 5, May 2010, p. 180.)
[5] “The heavy rains over the previous 24 hours caused the creek flowing by a home to flood the house. One persons died in the home when they began shaking and collapsed in the water. The cause of death was found to be drowning and electrocution due to submersion.” (NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 52, No. 5, May 2010, p. 179.)
[6] We can only substantiate the four fatalities noted by the National Climate Data Center. However, the NCDC tends to report only direct deaths, whereas the AP may have included two indirect deaths which we have not been able to identify. Or, the AP report could have been incorrect.
[7] “Heavy rain produced widespread flash flooding across Alcorn County. Numerous roads were flooded or washed out as a result. One fatality occurred when the vehicle lost control and went into a ditch off of Shiloh Road near Shiloh Ridge Golf Course. The vehicle became fully submerged and the driver drowned as a result…” (National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 52, No. 5, May 2010, p. 274.) Another source notes that the victim was a 66 year-old male. (NWS WFO, Memphis, TN. Flooding and 14 Tornadoes across the Mid-South on May 1 & 2, 2010.)
[8] National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 52, No. 5, May 2010, pp. 273-274. Victims identified as Latoya Long, 25, and Thomas Catrell Cowan, 26. (AP, Ashland, MS. “Miss. Hit by deadly weather again.” Laurel Leader Call, MS, 5-3-2010, p. 5.)
[9] National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 52, No. 5, May 2010, p. 274. NWS WFO, Memphis notes “…The track length was 1.4 miles with a track width ranging from 30 yards at the touchdown point to 75 yards at the end point. The tornado winds were estimated at 130 mph…”
[10] NCDC. Storm Events Database. Tornado…EF2…Mississippi…Lafayette [County]… Abbeville.
[11] National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 52, No. 5, May 2010, p. 5.
[12] This May 7 report reflects “…1 tornado related, 1 from natural causes and the rest water-related deaths.” A CQ Homeland Security interview with Governor Bredesen on CNN by CNN Anchor John Roberts, on May 6, also notes 21 fatalities. The Governor states however, that there were still “some missing people.” We know that after this date two bodies were recovered on May 11 in Davidson County and another not until September 26 in Cheatham Co.
[13] NWS Weather Forecast Ofc., Memphis. Flooding and 14 Tornadoes across the Mid-South on May 1 & 2, 2010. Notes this was on TN Hwy. 79. Also: TEMA. “State-wide Status report, issued at 3 p.m. May 7, 2010.” Also: TEMA. “State-wide Status report, issued at 3 p.m. May 7, 2010.”
[14] South Cheatham Advocate, TN (Dale Graham). “Is This Your Dog? Danny Tomlinson’s Mom Continues Their Loving Mission.” Undated web archive article. Notes that Danny Tomlinson was “swept away from his car while trying to get home as the waters rose…”
[15] “A 21 year old man was killed attempting to cross water in the Bell Rd. area.” (NCDC. Storm Data, 52/5, p502.)
[16] The City Paper, Nashville. “Body of missing teen found on Mill Creek bank.” 5-12-2010. Identifies the victim as Daniel Brown, a college student who “disappeared last Sunday [May 2], after he and two friends who had lashed together pool rafts and attempted to float along the flooding creek, were thrown into the water with their makeshift boat broke apart. The other two were pulled from the water.” We know the date was May 2 from a Nashville Office of Emergency Management press release on May 10, noting that Daniel Brown had last been seen on Sunday, May 2, at 6:30 p.m. Notes “The makeshift raft struck a bridge and was dragged under water.”
[17] AP. “Toll climbs: 15 dead in Tenn., Miss. Storms.” 5-3-2010. Cites Nashville spokeswoman Gwen Hopkins.
[18] Associated Press, Nashville. “Toll climbs: 15 dead in Tenn., Miss. Storms.” Daily Record, 5-3-2010. Cites City of Nashville spokeswoman Gwen Hopkins.
[19] National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 52, No. 5, May 2010, p. 502.
[20] The Tennessean. “20 things to know about the 2010 Nashville flood.” 5-3-2016.
[21] We highlight in yellow to indicate we are not using in tally in that there was subsequent reporting of higher loss.
[22] “Water rose quickly and surged across Cades and Atwood Road near Cressville Creek. One persons was swept off their feet and carried downstream.” NWS WFO, Memphis, TN. Flooding and 14 Tornadoes across the Mid-South on May 1 & 2, 2010. See, also: TEMA. “State-wide Status report, issued at 3 p.m. May 7, 2010.”
[23] NWS WFO, Memphis, TN. Flooding and 14 Tornadoes across the Mid-South on May 1 & 2, 2010. “…Preliminary EF-3 tornado in Benton and Tippah Counties in [MS] and Hardeman and McNairy Counties in [TN] …” 5-1-2012 mod. Death was in Hardeman Co. according to: TEMA. “State-wide Status report…May 7, 2010.”
[24] “A woman was killed when she stepped off the front porch into water and was swept away.” NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 52, No. 5, May 2010, p. 508. Also: TEMA. “State-wide Status report, issued at 3 p.m. May 7, 2010.”
[25] “A father and his special needs daughter were killed when trying to evacuate their mobile home.” (NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 52, No. 5, May 2010, p. 507.) Also: TEMA. “State-wide Status report, issued at 3 p.m. May 7, 2010.”
[26] “Flash flooding in the Raleigh area. Vehicle became disabled in flood waters resulting in one fatality.” (NWS WFO, Memphis, TN. Flooding and 14 Tornadoes across the Mid-South on May 1 & 2, 2010.) Also: National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 52, No. 5, May 2010, p. 520.
[27] National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 52, No. 5, May 2010, p. 521.
[28] Also: Associated Press. “Tenn. Officials revise storm death toll to 6.” Examiner.com. 5-2-2010. Writes the victims “were swept away by flood waters.”