All streams within Metro Nashville are subject to flooding and backwater flooding can be significant. Those living within or near a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) are at highest risk. As part of our participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS), we mail this flood risk information to property owners with properties within a floodway or floodplain annually. We encourage all Davidson County residents to read it, not just those within or near a SFHA.
During periods of heavy rain it is important that you know your flood hazard risks and take proper flood safety precautions in case of potential flooding. The National Weather Service will post flash flood warnings or watches when the conditions are present.
Know the terms used to describe flooding.
- Flood Watch – flooding is possible
- Flood Warning – flooding is occurring or will occur soon
Keep alert to rising waters in the streams in your area.
Tune in.
- Local radio stations – WSM (AM 650)
- Local television channels – ABC 2 (WKRN), NBC 4 (WSMV), News Channel 5 (WTVF), and Fox 17 (WZTV)
- All hazards NOAA Weather Radios (NWR) are available for purchase in local electronic retail or department stores and provide access to the NOAA Weather Radio System.
NERVE
Should a thunderstorm threaten Metro Nashville-Davidson County, the Nashville Emergency Response Viewing Engine (NERVE) presents real-time information about road closures, school closings, locations of emergency shelters, food and water distribution centers, and Disaster Assistance Centers. NERVE is smartphone and mobile device ready.
Real-Time Flood Gauge Information
The National Weather Service provides real-time reporting on gauges in the Nashville-Davidson County area. The information provided includes:
- A map of the gauge location
- Current river and stream water levels
- Action levels for flooding and the impacts of these levels
- Recent and historic crests that reached an action level
Gauges in Nashville-Davidson County
- Browns Creek at Glendale Lane
- Browns Creek at State Fairgrounds
- Cumberland River at Nashville
- Cumberland River at Omohundro
- Cumberland River at Old Hickory
- Cumberland River at Cockrill Bend
- Cumberland River near Bordeaux
- Cumberland River near Hermitage
- Cumberland River near Penington
- Cumberland River at Edenwold
- Dry Creek near Edenwold
- Harpeth River at Bellevue
- Mansker Creek near Millersville
- Mill Creek at Woodbine
- Mill Creek at Antioch
- Mill Creek near Nolensville
- Richland Creek near Belle Meade
- Richland Creek at Charlotte Avenue
- Sevenmile Creek at Blackman Road
- Stones River below J Percy Priest Dam
- Stones River near Donelson
- Whites Creek near Bordeaux
- Whites Creek near Whites Creek
National Flood Insurance Program
Nashville participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which aims to reduce the impact of flooding on private and public structures. For this program, Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) produced by FEMA are used to determine each property's flood hazard. The current flood maps are searchable on FEMA's website.
For more information on flood insurance, view our Flood Insurance Fact Sheet.
Assistance for lenders, realtors, and insurance agents
Metro Water Services can provide assistance with flood insurance forms and interpreting flood insurance rate maps. Download our National Flood Insurance Program flyer for more information.