Flash Flooding in Tennessee, July 13 to 14, 1998

Synoptic conditions near the surface and aloft, set the stage for serious flooding problems in Lawrenceburg. A strong cut off low, located west of Lawrenceburg, caused a series of thunderstorms to train or move across Lawrence county. These thunderstorms contained very heavy rains. Precipitable water values were in excess of 2 inches that evening. There was a strong 850 mb moisture convergence field, along with 300 mb divergence, and also Lawrence county was in the right rear quadrant of the jet stream. Nashville Doppler Radar estimated about 8 inches of rain at Lawrenceburg Monday night and early Tuesday morning. 4 inches of rain fell in about an hour at one point Monday night. The Lawrenceburg Filtration Plant received 8.76 inches in a 24 hour period ending 7 AM CDT Tuesday, July 14. The Filtration Plant is a cooperative observer site for Lawrenceburg. Numerous roads were closed due to high water. There were 2 people killed and 20 injured. A 63 year old female was swept away in her car just east of David Crockett State Park on U.S. Highway 64 West bridge. The other fatality, a 74 year old male, was swept away in his car on U.S. Highway 43 bridge near the railroad trestle. The report of the fatalities was received at 1035 PM CDT from the emergency management office. 122 homes were damaged or destroyed, 13 mobile homes and several small bridges were swept away. 100 people had to be evacuated from their homes. 18 businesses sustained water damage. One home had 29 inches of water in it. The water and sewage plant was left inoperable, and residents had no water or bath facilities. Bottled water was distributed. Portable toilets were set up around town. Life was starting to return to normal on Saturday, July 18.

Local emergency manager reported numerous roads closed and bridges washed out around the county due to high water.