How Hurricanes Can Still Affect Tennessee Residents

10/29/2019 (Permalink)

Tennessee may be far from the Atlantic, but that doesn't mean you can afford to relax during hurricane season. Some of the most dangerous and damaging hurricane-related floods can occur hundreds of miles from the coast. As hurricanes weaken to tropical storms and move inland, massive rainfall can cause flash flooding that can last for hours and even days in some cases. A tropical storm can produce more rain than a Category 5 hurricane!

Both Western and Middle Tennessee are approximately 400 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, and over the years that has proved to be close enough to mean trouble. Some examples of how hurricanes can still affect Tennessee residents:

• In 2008, winds from Hurricane Ike felled a tree on a Nashville-area golf course and two men were killed.
• Tropical Storm Bill and the remnants of Hurricane Ivan dumped several inches of rain on East Tennessee during 2003/2004.
• Hurricane Opal caused $2 million in damage in the Volunteer State in 1995, half of that in the Chattanooga area. Rainfall in Middle and East Tennessee measured 3 or more inches.
• In 1977 Hurricane Babe drenched Chattanooga and almost four times its normal rainfall was recorded for that particular month.
• The Georgia-South Carolina Hurricane of 1940 sparked deadly, destructive flash flooding in the Southeast, including much of the State of Tennessee.

You should always make sure to pay attention to all local advisories and warnings and take steps to maintain preparedness for yourself and your loved ones.

• Create an emergency supply kit, and make sure you have an emergency plan. Practice a flood evacuation route and ask someone out-of-state to be a point of contact in case you are separated from loved ones.
• Get flood insurance. Make sure you are advised as to your risk, how to prepare for inland flooding, and discover how to purchase proper insurance.
• Establish contact with a professional restoration team who can be on-site to help with repairs and cleanup after water damage and flood-related issues. 

Always keep in mind that SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville is ready to help at a moment’s notice if you experience water damage from excessive rainfall or flooding here in the Nashville area during hurricane-related weather. We are a full-service restoration and repair team, and proud to help our friends and neighbors of Nashville.