From the Nashville office, National Weather Service:

The weather patterns across the southern United States became more spring-like after the middle of February. As a result, Middle Tennessee weather over recent days has, generally, been much warmer and wetter.

Two heavy rain events occurred in the Mid State during the last week of February. The first was on February 24th and 25th, when two-day rain totals of 3 to 5 inches were common over the extreme north, and 2 to 3 inches were common over much of the remainder of Middle Tennessee.

Rainfall at Nashville International Airport broke the old daily record for the 24th, of 1.45 inches, set back in 1965. The new daily total became 2.10 inches. The map below shows the rainfall distrubtion in the Mid State, using Cocorahs data obtained from our volunteer rainfall observers:

The second heavy rain event occurred between the night of February 27th and the night of February 28th. Once again, the heaviest rain totals occurred across the north, where Cocorahs Rainfall totals of 2 to 3 inches were common. Lesser amounts between 0.50 inch and 1.5 inches were common across the south. Nashville almost eclipsed its daily rainfall record of 1.67" (set back in 1987), when 1.63" of rain fell in the rain gauge at Nashville International Airport. The map below shows the distribution of rainfall observed by our Mid State Cocorahs observers.

These heavy rains led to some unusually high totals for the month of February. As you can see in the image below, many areas over the north received between 7 and 9 1/2 inches of rainfall in February! These amounts were some two to three times above normal. Monthly rainfall at Nashville International Airport was 5.54 inches, which was 1.85 inches above normal :

Another Heavy Rain Event looks increasingly likely for this weekend. The Hydrometeorological Prediction Center's 2-day rainfall forecast for Saturday and Sunday (issued on Friday) looked like this:

Rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches will be common, with local amounts to near3 inches. Areas that have already had a lot of rain over recent days will be more prone to increased runoff, ponding of water and localized flooding. The longer we remain in a wet weather pattern, the wetter our topsoils will become. The  wetter the soils become, the less additional water they can absorb. Thus, when heavy rains fall, runoff occurs more easily and flooding becomes more likely.

Those living in or traveling through Middle Tennessee should remain alert to the general increase in flood potential with each passing Heavy Rain Event. You should know what to do and where to go if flooding is observed. This is especially important for those living in flood prone areas--especially near rivers and streams--and those who encounter flooded roadways when traveling. Remember: when you are out driving and come to an area where water covers the road, Turn Around! Don't Drown!

Here are some BAD reasons people have actually given for driving through flooded areas, prior to realizing their mistake. They were shared at a recent National Weather Service Conference, where flooding issues were discussed:

1) I drive a 4-wheel drive vehicle and thought the warnings about flood waters were really meant for people driving cars, not trucks.

2) I just wanted to see how my truck would perform in deep water.

3) I had never driven into a fooded area and just wanted to see what it would be like.

Another person accelerated around a highway barricade, during a live TV broadcast, and managed to make it out of the deep water--only to have his truck stall out, come to a complete standstill, with steam coming out from under the hood. Oddly enough, several other vehicles had already become stranded in the water and were clearly visible to the driver before he accelerated past the barricade. 

These people were all fortunate. Though their vehicles suffered, they made it through their experiences alive. Many others, every year, are not so fortunate.

It's never wise to challenge flood waters!

New Leash On Life would like to give back to the community which so generously helped it to recover after floods on May 1, 2010 prompted an evacuation of the non-profit organization's animal adoption center and caused flood damage to buildings and supplies.

New Leash On Life has partnered with the Pedigree Foundation to offer assistance to flood victims and others in need of assistance with pet food.

Pedigree donated 1,000 lbs. of Pedigree dog food to New Leash On Life as part of their push to gain 1 million fans on Facebook. Thanks to Facebook fans, Pedigree has donated 1 million bowls of food to shelter animals across the country. The food donated to New Leash On Life will be distributed to pet owners affected by the flood as well as other groups helping flood animals, including Hickman Humane Society, Country K-9 Rescue and Lighthouse Refuge and Rehabilitation.

One bag of Pedigree dog food per family will be distributed beginning Friday, June 4 for as long as supplies last at the Almost Home Pet Adoption Center, located at 507 Jim Draper Blvd. in Lebanon. Distribution hours are Sunday from noon until 4:45 p.m. and Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4:45 p.m. with the exception of Wednesday, when the facility is closed to the public.

For more information, please call 615-444-1144.

Residents in the disaster-designated counties affected by recent storms and flooding are urged to be careful of scams during recovery efforts.

"Unfortunately, some people prey on others, taking advantage of their misfortunes," said Gracia B. Szczech, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Federal Coordinating Officer in charge of the recovery efforts. "We urge disaster survivors to be especially careful."

In a typical scheme, someone pretends to be employed by FEMA or other government agencies, such as the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). A FEMA or SBA shirt, jacket or hat is not proof of someone's affiliation with these agencies. Authorized personnel wear a laminated photo identification card at all times.

Imposters may ask for some form of payment or a bribe. FEMA-contracted housing inspectors assess damage but do not determine cost estimates. They do not hire or endorse specific contractors to fix homes or recommend repairs.

Consumers should know that a Social Security or bank account number will only be requested on the first phone call the applicant makes to 800-621-FEMA (3362). Online registration at www.DisasterAssistance.gov is also secure. On any follow-up calls, a FEMA representative may ask for only the last four digits of a Social Security number.

Anyone who notices suspicious activity in his or her neighborhood or who suspects that someone is trying to commit fraud by going door-to-door or by making contact by phone or mail should immediately contact the local police.

Tennesseans who suspect anyone of committing disaster fraud, whether as a contractor, inspector or even a disaster survivor offering to do work-for-hire, or who suspect someone is posing as any of these, either in person or on the phone or on the Internet, should call the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs toll-free at 800-342-8385.

From Mt. Juliet in the west to Statesville in the southeast, nearly all of Wilson County was impacted by the floods that ravaged Middle Tennessee on May 1st and 2nd, 2010.

And as people around the mid-state continue to demonstrate in the wake of this tragedy, Tennessee is known as "The Volunteer State" for a reason.

On Thursday, May 6, a call for volunteers was issued to Wilson County residents who would like to roll up their sleeves, pitch in and help their neighbors in need. According to John McMillin, President of United Way of Wilson County, several local organizations - including the Lebanon/Wilson County Chamber of Commerce, the City of Lebanon and the Wilson Emergency Management Agency - have organized a drop-off point for flood recovery items at Prime Outlets of Lebanon, which graciously donated space for this worthy cause.

McMillin said volunteers would be needed to work at the drop-off point soon, possibly as early as Friday, May 7. Volunteers, he added, will likely be needed for weeks to come. For the moment, United Way of Wilson County is lending a hand by "lining people up" to serve in volunteer capacities, he said.

"We're here to do whatever we can do. The (Lebanon/Wilson County) Chamber has really knocked themselves out," McMillin said. "Right now, we just need people who are willing to raise their hands and say, 'I'm willing to.' We'll start contacting them with assignments tomorrow, and then there will be more to come as time goes on."

Already, McMillin continued, a pair of local banks - SunTrust and Wilson Bank & Trust - have contacted him to offer volunteer assistance. "I just can't say enough about how this community has pulled together through all of this," he said.

Sue Vanatta, President of the Lebanon/Wilson County Chamber of Commerce, said organizers hope to have the flood relief station at Prime Outlets of Lebanon set up by the weekend at the latest.

"Prime Outlets was very gracious in donating 4,000-square-feet of space to us for this. We'll be accepting donations of furniture, clothing, office supplies, non-perishable food items, cleaning products and toiletries," she said. "Many businesses on the (Lebanon Public) Square and places like Big Lots on West Main Street lost all of their office supplies and furniture, so that's why there's a need for those."

If you'd like to be included on the list of volunteers, please contact McMillin at 615-443-1871 or via e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The Metropolitan Transit Authority and Regional Transportation Authority have suspended all bus and train services for Monday (May 3) due to sever flooding on a large number of roads in Davidson County and other nearby counties, including Wilson.

AccessRide customers who have booked reservations for Monday will need to have the trips rescheduled until the buses and vans can resume their regular schedules. The Nashville MTA facilities on Nestor Street have been the victim of flooding. The facilities are located on the banks of the Cumberland River.

The RTA's regional bus services from outlying areas will not operate on Monday. The routes include service from Murfreesboro, Smyrna, LaVergne, Franklin, Brentwood, Thompson's Station, Spring Hill, Gallatin and Hendersonville.

Due to damage to a bridge in downtown Lebanon, the Music City Star will not operate on Monday. The bridge is located at the intersection of Highway 231 near Short Street. Construction personnel have been working on the repairs but could not complete them prior to Monday due to the severe weather.

As a precautionary measure, MTA personnel relocated its fleet of buses from the Nestor Street garage to the Nashville Public Schools bus lot near the fairgrounds on Sunday.

MTA Customer Care personnel are on duty at Music City Central to answer calls and will remain on duty as long as possible. The telephone number is 615-862-5950. However, due to problems with the phone lines, not all calls are getting through. Customers are asked to check the nashvillemta.org website for updates.

New Leash On Life volunteers and staff, along with the Wilson County DART team, evacuated the Almost Home Adoption Center in Lebanon late Saturday (May 1, 2010) night. The flooding grounds and water entering the building prompted safety concerns. All 51 of the dogs and cats housed in the adoption center were safely transported to the Wilson County Fairgrounds.

New Leash On Life is asking those who want to help to please make a donation online at www.newleashonline.org/donate to help the organization's recovery efforts. There is damage to the facility. The extent of the damage is currently unknown, but staff ventured inside on Sunday in an effort to clean up and assess the damage. Donations will be needed in order to repair the damage caused by the storm.

Concerned citizens are encouraged to stay home and stay and to check the New Leash On Life Facebook page for updates.