Stay Weather Aware During Continued Severe Weather Threat Thursday

Continued severe weather is expected to impact the Metro Nashville Davidson County area Thursday.

Heavy rain and flooding is becoming the main impact through the weekend. There is a risk for severe thunderstorms as well Thursday.

There is ponding on roadways and flooding in known flood prone areas. REMEMBER do not try to travel through standing water on roadways. It sounds redundant but it can save your life: Turn Around! Don’t Drown.

OEM Field Response staff and ESU members are responding to damage reports, are out checking creeks and known flood prone areas.

What to Expect Thursday

• Heavy rain and flooding will be the main impacts through the weekend.
  • Highest rain totals will favor the northwest where rain amounts of 6-10+ inches will result in flash flooding as well as river flooding.
  • A Flood Watch is in effect from through Sunday morning.
• Severe thunderstorms possible mainly today and Saturday evening.
• Damaging winds, tornadoes, and large hail are all possible.
• Friday should provide somewhat of a break with lower coverage of storms and lower risk levels.

Our 24-hour OEM Dispatch Center reports the following calls from 4:00 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. Thursday.

Incidents and Overview

NDOT

1 Tree Down, 4 Signal Calls, 3 Debris calls

TDOT

6 Help Truck Calls

NES

4 Wires down, 1 NES outage

OEM

• OEM field responders are out in the field checking creeks, rivers and roads for flooding.
• 4 vehicles in water.
• 35 calls for flooding.

Metro Nashville Davidson County is under a 2 out of 5 Slight Risk for Thursday.

The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) uses a five-point scale, ranging from "Marginal" to "High" Risk.

Strong winds can blow away lightweight and loose outdoor objects, down trees and tree branches, and cause sporadic power outages. Secure any outdoor objects now and use caution if driving.

For important safety information and weather updates sign up for the Metro Emergency Alert and Notification System (MEANS). It is free to download.

Monitor local news and weather channels or websites for severe weather alerts and warnings.

Check the National Weather Service website for the latest information.

Metro Department Updates

Metro Schools Closed

Due to inclement weather, Metro Nashville Public Schools will be closed today, April 3, 2025.

All before and after school care is cancelled unless the provider offers an inclement weather site. Families are encouraged to check with their provider for that information.

All after-school activities, including sports practices, games, performances and meetings are also cancelled.

District offices will be closed for in-person activities but working remotely. Some positions may require staff to work in person, and so employees should be working closely with their supervisors to ensure the needs of the district are being met.

Metro Action Commission

Due to severe weather and road conditions in the Nashville and Davidson County area, all Metropolitan Action Commission (MAC) buildings will be closed on Thursday, April 3, 2025.

MAC Team members will be available remotely to assist with requests for help with utility payments, rent, mortgage and other emergency assistance.

Although the Customer Care Center is closed at the agency's main location (1281 Murfreesboro Pike), a secured drop box is available onsite to receive completed applications. New applicants can also pick up program information and applications on-site.

The agency's Head Start and Early Head Start pre-school centers will be closed. Team members will be working remotely to assist parents with emergency resources as needed.

Customers can reach the agency through the call center by dialing 615-862-8860 or by emailing the agency at metro.action@nashville.gov. If weather conditions allow, Metro Action will reopen on Friday, April 4.

Use Caution During Flooding

Heavy rains can cause flash flooding in streams and tributaries with little warning, and create potentially dangerous situations for residents, motorists and pedestrians. In fact, most flood-related casualties are due to underestimating inherent dangers. Flood waters less than knee deep can easily sweep you away, and shallow levels of water (six inches to a foot) over a road can float many vehicles.

A Flood Watch means flooding is possible in your area.

A Flash Flood Watch means flash flooding is possible.

A Flood Warning means flooding is occurring or will occur soon.

A Flash Flood Warning means a flash flood is occurring.

To avoid potentially dangerous situations during flooding:

• Stay informed on the weather conditions via your NOAA Weather Radio, local radio or television stations.
• Be aware that flash flooding can occur. If a flash flood watch or warning is issued, immediately move to higher ground.
• Do not try to drive or walk through flood waters. The depth of water is not always obvious, the road may be washed out and you might not see it.
• If floodwaters rise around your vehicle, immediately abandon the car and if safe to do so - move to higher ground.
• Avoid walking through moving water. Six inches can make you fall. If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving, using a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you.
• Take the safest routes possible, do not drive around barricades, they are there for your protection, turn around.
• Be especially cautious driving at night, as it is harder to recognize flood dangers.
• Avoid taking any unnecessary risks.
• If you have to evacuate or travel on the road, know your route and the condition of it, and take your emergency kit with you.

Act During a Tornado Warning

When a tornado warning is issued for your area:

• Go to the lowest most interior part of your home immediately. Put as many walls between you and the outside as possible.
• Stay away from windows.
• Do not open windows.
• Use your arms to protect your head, and/or cover yourself with a mattress or sleeping bag, pillow.
• Know where very heavy objects are on the floor above and do not go under them as they may fall through on top of you.

In a Mobile Home

• Get out! Even if your home is tied down, it is not as safe as an underground shelter or permanent, sturdy building.
• Go to one of those shelters, or to a nearby permanent structure.

At School

• Follow the drill! Go to the interior hall or room in an orderly way as you are told.
• Crouch low, head down, and protect the back of your head with your arms.
• Stay away from windows and large open rooms like gyms and auditoriums.

In a House, a Dorm, or an Apartment With No Basement

• Avoid windows.
• Go to the lowest floor, small center room (like a bathroom or closet), under a stairwell, or in an interior hallway with no windows.
• Crouch as low as possible to the floor, facing down; and cover your head with your hands.
• A bathtub may offer a shell of partial protection. Even in an interior room, you should cover yourself with some sort of thick padding (mattress, blankets, etc.), to protect against falling debris in case the roof and ceiling fail.

In an Office Building, Hospital, Nursing Home or Skyscraper

• Go directly to an enclosed, windowless area in the center of the building - away from glass and on the lowest floor possible.
• Then, crouch down and cover your head. Interior stairwells are usually good places to take shelter, and if not crowded, allow you to get to a lower level quickly.
• Stay off the elevators; you could be trapped in them if the power is lost.

In the Open Outdoors

• If possible, seek shelter in a sturdy building.
• If not, lie flat and face-down on low ground, protecting your head with your arms.
• Get as far away from trees and cars as you can; they may become flying debris.

If You Are Driving or Away From Shelter When a Tornado Warning Is Issued

• Get out of the car immediately and take shelter in a nearby building.
• Never try to out drive a tornado.
• Do not get under an overpass or bridge for protection.
• If you are caught in your car by extreme winds or flying debris, park the car out of the traffic lances as quickly as possible.
• Stay in the car with the seat belt on. Put your head down below the windows; cover your head with your hands and a blanket, coat, or other cushion if possible.
• If you can safely get noticeably lower than the level of the roadway, leave your car and lie in that area, covering your head with your hands.

In a Shopping Mall or Large Store

• Do not panic.
• Listen for emergency messages over the store intercom and watch for others.
• Move as quickly as possible to an interior bathroom, storage room or other small, enclosed area, away from windows. Look for tornado shelter signage.

In a Church or Theater

• Do not panic. If possible, move quickly but orderly to an interior bathroom or hallway, away from windows.
• Crouch face-down and protect your head with your arms. If there is no time to do that, get under the seats or pews, protecting your head with your arms or hands.
• Weather forecasting is not a perfect, and some tornadoes do occur without warning.

It is important that you stay alert to the sky and know some things to look and listen for:

• Strong, persistent rotation in the base of a cloud
• Whirling dust or debris on the ground under the cloud base
• Hail or heavy rain followed by either dead calm or a fast, intense wind shift. Many tornadoes are wrapped in heavy precipitation and can't be seen.
• Day or night - loud, continuous roar or rumble, which doesn't fade within a few seconds like thunder.
• Nighttime - smaller, bright, blue green to white flashes at ground level near a thunderstorms. This means power lines are being snapped by very strong winds, perhaps a tornado.
• Nighttime - Persistent lowering from the cloud base, illuminated or silhouetted by lightning, especially if it's on the ground or there is a blue-green-white power flash underneath.

Tornado Quick Facts

• Can strike quickly, with little to no warning
• May appear almost transparent until dust and debris are picked up, or a cloud forms in the funnel
• Tornadoes are most likely to occur between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m., but can occur at any time.
• Southern states have peak tornado season from March through May, but as we have experienced here, they can happen any time of the year.
• The average forward speed of a tornado is 30 mph, but vary from stationary to 70 mph.
• The average tornado moves southwest to northeast, but have been known to move in any direction.

Practice

• It is important to have a tornado plan in place at home, at the office, or anywhere you may frequent.
• Know where you can quickly take shelter, and practice at home and at the office at least yearly.
• When a tornado watch is issued, start thinking about those safe places and what you may need to have ready if things get bad.

Portable Generator Safety

• Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning from the toxic engine exhaust by operating your generator outside for proper ventilation.
• Never refuel your generator when it is running. Let it cool down first.
• Do not store fuel in a garage, basement or inside your home. Vapors can be released that can cause illness and are a potential fire hazard.
• Install a carbon monoxide detector inside your home to warn you in case of a gas leak.
• Never hook up a generator directly to your home's electrical service or wiring. This can cause back feeding and poses a serious risk to NES line workers. 
• Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Only use generators and grills outdoors and away from windows. Never heat your home with a gas stovetop or oven.

Additional Resources

• NES Power Outage Center
• NES Power Outage Tips
• TDOT SmartWay Map