Flash flooding sweeps through Tennessee rivers

Extreme meteorologist Dr. Reed Timmer reported from the scene of dangerous flash flooding along the Obey River on July 20.

Transcript

00:00 I'm standing over the flooded East Fork Obey River just to the southwest of Jamestown, Tennessee

00:06 Where a flash flood warning continues with a life-threatening tag and you can see why look at how swollen

00:11 This river is and all the tributaries are flowing into it

00:15 You can see a debris trail in the middle of the river some very large logs and trees coming down the river here

00:21 There's one right there a very large tree. Just working its way down the river. That's likely from a flooded tributary

00:28 There are a ton of tributaries here and very steep terrain on the western edge of the Cumberland Plateau

00:33 And after seven to nine inches of rainfall estimated by radar

00:38 This is the result and that's why you get a life-threatening tag on that flash flood

00:43 A lot of these creeks haven't seen a ton of rainfall. So when you get nine to ten inches of rain

00:48 This is what happens all the debris that is in the creek bed comes downstream and all this is flowing toward the Obey River

00:54 And that's why there's been a continuation of the flash flood of warning in this area to the southwest of Jamestown, Tennessee

01:01 And this Creek is normally a little trickle here flowing into the East Fork Obey River

01:05 But as you can see major flood out here across eastern, Tennessee

01:09 Numerous flash flood warnings continue and these creeks and rivers are going to continue to rise for the next couple to several hours

01:15 Probably through evening life-threatening flash flooding will continue

01:19 Thank you.

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