9/17/09 Latest on the Rain

Last night’s rain left it’s mark in portions on the area with flooding in East Ridge and high water on numerous roads.  

Reports of 2-3” of rain fell in East Ridge leading to evacuations and closed McBrien Elementary School. I have also received reports of water in buildings at Baylor School.  

Just up the road, a buddy of mine and weather watcher, Michael Detwiler had this to report: “Record-breaking amounts of rain in Cookeville in last 24 hours. We recorded 6.45" and 2-day total is 8.43"...one station had 10+" 

Locally, rainfall amounts have varied.

In the last 24hours: 

Red Bank:  4.36

East Ridge: 1-3”

East Chattanooga: 1.21-1.65 

The rest of the TN Valley has picked up from around a half inch to an inch in the last 24hours. 

A large area of low pressure in Eastern TX and West LA, contiues to sit and spin, pulling in copious amounts of mositure from the Gulf into the TN Valley. This pattern is not expected to change as we head into the weekend as the steering winds stay north.  This means, more clouds and more rain, some which could be heavy at times. Due to the scattered nature of the storms, it has and will be difficult to determine who will see the heaviest of the rain. Like last night, some of the rain could fall during the overnight hours.  

Flood watches have been issued for Grundy county with the NWS monitoring the rest of the viewing area for watches and warnings.  Remember, if you see water on the roads, TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN.  

If you have any video or pictures of flooding, please send them to me at pictures@wdef.com. Make sure you mention the location.  

See you soon,  

Brian