The May 2010 Nashville Flood

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.

Recent News

  • The Long Term Recovery Plan lays out recommendations to enhance Nashville beyond pre-flood conditions with a focus on sustainability, livability and economic growth.
  • Metro Government received two rounds of Community Development Block Grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Totaling more than $33 million, these funds will further ongoing disaster-recovery efforts. The Metro Council approved the MDHA’s proposed uses for round one and round two of these funds.

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 year following the flood, 25,000 volunteers gave more than 330,000 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. Of those jobs lost, 1,528 are considered unlikely to return.
  • Metro’s We Are Home program has awarded more than $12 million in grants and loans to residents for home rebuilding and repairs.
  • 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.