News

Heavy flooding striking parts of Tennessee left at least 10 people dead and 40 others missing, Humphreys County Sheriff’s office Chris Davis told the Tennessean Saturday.

Driving the news: Heavy rainfall was pummeling much of the state. The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency said dangerous flash flooding closed a major local highway near McEwen, and the National Weather Service reporting potential record rainfall near fellow Humphreys County city McEwen.

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Of note: 17.02 inches of rain had fallen in McEwen from midnight to just before 10.30p.m. ET— meaning it “likely broke the all-time 24 hour rainfall record for the state,” the NWS tweeted.

What else is happening: A curfew was enacted for Humphreys County in the evening, Davis said to WSMV.

Context: A UN IPCC report on climate science published earlier this month found that extreme precipitation events, including heavy downpours, are becoming more frequent and severe.

7:50 PM Update –

Heaviest rainfall continues to move south into our SW counties. Rainfall rates across the area have been around 2-3 additional inches.

If you are in this area, please do not go out tonight if you do not have to. Flooding is especially dangerous at night. pic.twitter.com/RrtsRh39hN

— NWS Nashville (@NWSNashville) August 22, 2021

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