Memphis, Tennessee, Flash Flooding: Homes Flooded, Cars Stranded

By Eric Zerkel
Published: September 11,2014


 
Flash flooding in the Memphis, Tennessee, metro area prompted dozens of water rescues, including the evacuation of an entire neighborhood to the north of downtown.
Homes to the north of the city were inundated, prompting the Memphis Fire Department to send boats to carry out rescues for residents trapped there. According to the Commercial Appeal, boat rescues began at 7:30 a.m. and were completed by 8:50. It's not immediately clear how many rescues were carried out, but at least 25 homes were impacted.
According to WMC Action News 5, Memphis Light, Gas and Power cut power to 40 homes affected by flooding in the area. No injuries were reported.
The Shelby County Office of Preparedness said at least 40 people were at shelters as of Thursday evening.
Dozens of roads were flooded, stranding cars throughout the metro area. The county said more than 30 people were rescued from their vehicles near Mountain Terrace. At one point, WMC Action News reported that a van full of children and a school bus with children aboard were both stuck in high water, but those vehicles were not stranded for long.
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Numerous roads were closed due to high water. Some of the worst flooding came when a creek burst its banks and flooded all lanes on Germantown Road at U.S. 70, the Commercial Appeal reports.
Lt. Wayne Cooke of the Memphis Fire Department urged residents to avoid taking to the roads and use caution when approaching standing water. Cooke said there had been no reports of injuries so far.
The Shelby County school district issued a statement urging parents to use caution traveling to and from schools in the morning, adding that they would "excuse any weather-related tardies/absences." The Bartlett Library closed Thursday due to the flooding.
Just south of the state border, DeSoto County, Mississippi, also suffered from flooding, and Gov. Phil Bryant declared a state of emergency Thursday night for the area, according to the Associated Press. Numerous homes were flooded, and a shelter was opened for displaced residents.
A flash flood watch has been posted through Friday evening. According to weather.com digital meteorologist Nick Wiltgen, showers are in the forecast through Friday before drier conditions set up Saturday into Sunday.