Nashville Flood May 2010

A devastating flood hit Nashville in early May 2010, drenching the city but uniting our community. Today, recovery efforts continue. Hundreds of citizens are rebuilding their homes and their lives, and the Metro Government is improving emergency preparedness and planning for Nashville’s long-term recovery.

Nashville Flood

The Flood by the Numbers

Rainfall exceeded 17 inches, the highest amount in more than 140 years of recorded history. 13 inches of rain fell in 36 hours, more than doubling the previous two-day rainfall record set in 1979.
The Cumberland River crested in Nashville at 51.86 feet, 12 feet above flood stage.
According to Metro Planning and Metro Codes, the flood resulted in an estimated $2 billion in damages to private property.
11 people died as a result of the flood.
In the years following the flood, over 29,000 volunteers gave more than 375,000 service hours to recovery and rebuilding efforts.
The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce reported 2,773 impacted businesses with 14,499 workers at the time of the flood.
FEMA received 20,189 Individual Assistance applications and approved 12,903, totaling more than $87 million. It also funded 768 Public Assistance projects totaling more than $53 million.