A weak upper low helped advect near record moisture into Tennessee, where a boundary and classic heavy rain profiles combined to produce extreme rainfall rates over portions of Chattanooga, leading to numerous water rescues, a few evacuations, flooded interstate and local roads, flooded homes, and unfortunately a few fatalities. One fatality occurred in the east Brainerd area after a driver went…
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS MRX wrote it up.
A weak upper low helped advect near record moisture into Tennessee, where a boundary and classic heavy rain profiles combined to produce extreme rainfall rates over portions of Chattanooga, leading to numerous water rescues, a few evacuations, flooded interstate and local roads, flooded homes, and unfortunately a few fatalities. One fatality occurred in the east Brainerd area after a driver went around police barricades and was swept away in the flood waters. Damage estimates as of September 2025 were at least $1.7 million dollars per emergency management.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Morristown, TN wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Aug 12, 1:13 PM EST, 3 hours 57 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Morristown TN 213 PM EDT Tue Aug 12 2025 ...New DISCUSSION... .DISCUSSION... Issued at 141 PM EDT Tue Aug 12 2025 Key Messages: 1. Heavy rainfall, high rainfall rates, and localized flash flooding are possible from this afternoon through Wednesday. 2. Scattered to widespread showers and embedded storms. 3. Reduced converage of storms for the latter half of the week through early next week. Return to hot and muggy conditions as well with heat indices increasing to mid 90s to near 100 degrees across much of the Tennessee and Sequatchie valleys. Discussion: ...Localized Excessive Rainfall and Flash Flooding Possible from this Afternoon through Wednesday... A tropical wave across the northern Gulf and southwest flow into the Tennessee valley and southern Appalachians will pull abundant tropical moisture into the region. Ensemble and deterministic models show PWs increasing to 2.1 to possibly 2.3 inches which is 2-3 standard deviations above normal or 99th percentile. There is also weak 850mb moisture transport. A series of weak vorts/shear axis will move north into the periphery of the ridge into the Appalachians enhancing convection. Also, local terrain will also focus potential of enhanced rainfall. The REFS and HREF are in agreement with the potential of locally heavy rainfall and flash flooding. Ensemble mean has a more defined 3"+ in localized areas. On the fence for issuing a flash flood watch. Would feel much more confident to issue a watch is a boundary was evident across the region focusing the convection. Held off issuing a watch given collaboration with the surrounding WFOs but will send out DSS briefing and SPS highlighting the threat. Besides the potential of heavy rains, plenty of tropical moisture will keep sky mostly cloudy and keep temperatures below normal through mid-week. For Thursday, upper trough will move into the area and weaken. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will be expected with the main concern being localized flash flooding. For Friday into early next week, ensemble cluster analysis shows increasing heights with upper ridge building into the mid-section of the nation. End result will be decreasing chances of mainly afternoon and early evening storms. Most of the convection will be confined to the higher terrain, especially far east Tennessee mountains and southwest North Carolina which is farther away from upper ridge axis. Also temperatures will increase with highs in the lower and middle 90s and heat indices of 95 to 100 over much of the Tennessee and Sequatchie valleys. && .AVIATION... (18Z TAFS) Issued at 110 PM EDT Tue Aug 12 2025 Will have showers and thunderstorms around through the period, and timing at any given site is not possible to pin down. Will carry a lot of VCSH and VCTS with a tempo and prob30 group at each site trying to time the higher probability periods. Expect VFR and MVFR conditions for the most part all sites, but lower conditions can be expected in heavier precipitation. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Chattanooga Airport, TN 73 86 72 89 / 70 70 40 50 Knoxville McGhee Tyson Airport, TN 72 86 72 88 / 60 70 50 40 Oak Ridge, TN 72 85 71 88 / 70 70 50 40 Tri Cities Airport, TN 69 83 69 84 / 80 70 60 60 && .MRX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NC...NONE. TN...NONE. VA...NONE. && DISCUSSION...DH AVIATION...
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Morristown TN 145 PM EDT Tue Aug 12 2025 NCZ060-061-TNZ012>018-035>047-067>074-081>087-098>102-VAZ001-002- 005-006-008-131745- Cherokee-Clay-Scott TN-Campbell-Claiborne-Hancock-Hawkins- Sullivan-Johnson-Morgan-Anderson-Union-Grainger-Hamblen- Northwest Cocke-Cocke Smoky Mountains-Northwest Greene- Southeast Greene-Washington TN-Unicoi-Northwest Carter- Southeast Carter-Roane-Loudon-Knox-Jefferson-Northwest Blount- Blount Smoky Mountains-North Sevier-Sevier Smoky Mountains- Sequatchie-Bledsoe-Rhea-Meigs-McMinn-Northwest Monroe- Southeast Monroe-Marion-Hamilton-Bradley-West Polk-East Polk-Lee- Wise-Scott VA-Russell-Washington VA- 145 PM EDT Tue Aug 12 2025 /1245 PM CDT Tue Aug 12 2025/ This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southwest North Carolina...east Tennessee and southwest Virginia. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight Heavy rainfall rates and localized flooding will be possible this afternoon and into the overnight hours. Training of storms across the same areas could lead to flash flooding of streams, flooding of low-lying areas, and roadway flooding. Be especially alert for the potential of flash flooding during the night. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday Additional Heavy rainfall rates and localized flooding will be possible Wednesday especially during the morning hours. Training of storms across the same areas could lead to flash flooding of streams, flooding of low-lying areas, and roadway flooding. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not needed at this time but any detailed reports of flooding are appreciated.
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Morristown TN 221 PM EDT Tue Aug 12 2025 NCZ060-061-TNZ012>018-035>047-067>074-081>087-098>102-VAZ001-002- 005-006-008-132000- Cherokee-Clay-Scott TN-Campbell-Claiborne-Hancock-Hawkins- Sullivan-Johnson-Morgan-Anderson-Union-Grainger-Hamblen- Northwest Cocke-Cocke Smoky Mountains-Northwest Greene- Southeast Greene-Washington TN-Unicoi-Northwest Carter- Southeast Carter-Roane-Loudon-Knox-Jefferson-Northwest Blount- Blount Smoky Mountains-North Sevier-Sevier Smoky Mountains- Sequatchie-Bledsoe-Rhea-Meigs-McMinn-Northwest Monroe- Southeast Monroe-Marion-Hamilton-Bradley-West Polk-East Polk-Lee- Wise-Scott VA-Russell-Washington VA- Including the cities of Andrews, Marble, Topton, Hiawasse Dam, Murphy, Unaka, Violet, Shooting Creek, Brasstown, Hayesville, Tusquitee, Big South Fork National, Oneida, Smokey Junction, Elgin, Huntsville, Norma, Slick Rock, Fincastle, La Follette, Elk Valley, Jellico, White Oak, Caryville, Royal Blue, Lone Mountain, Sandlick, Springdale, Arthur, Harrogate-Shawanee, Clairfield, Howard Quarter, Evanston, Sneedville, Treadway, Kyles Ford, Mooresburg, Kingsport, Bristol TN, South Holston Dam, Doeville, Mountain City, Neva, Shady Valley, Trade, Laurel Bloomery, Pine Orchard, High Point, Petros, Oak Ridge, Clinton, Maynardville, Norris Lake, Paulette, Rose Hill, Sharps Chapel, Luttrell, Bean Station, Alpha, Morristown, Russellville, Bybee, Newport, Hartford, Greeneville, Cedar Creek, Johnson City, Erwin, Unicoi, Limestone Cove, Elizabethton, Hampton, Harriman, Eagle Furnace, Rockwood, Bradbury, Fairview, Kingston, Oliver Springs, Lenoir City, Loudon, Bearden, Knoxville, Lake Forest, Jefferson City, Strawberry Plains, Chestnut Hill, Dandridge, White Pine, Happy Valley, Maryville, Alcoa, Cades Cove, Harrisburg, Kodak, McMahan, Sevierville, Seymour, Pigeon Forge, Elkmont, Gatlinburg, Cagle, Dunlap, Cartwright, Lone Oak, Old Cumberland, Palio, Melvine, Mount Crest, Pikeville, Brayton, Dayton, Evensville, Old Washington, Grandview, Spring City, Big Spring, Athens, Clear Water, Dentville, Etowah, Sweetwater, Madisonville, Bullet Creek, Citico, Coker Creek, South Pittsburg, Haletown (Guild), Jasper, Martin Springs, Whitwell, Powells Crossroads, Monteagle, Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain, Signal Mountain, Cleveland, Tasso, Conasauga, Archville, Benton, Parksville, Reliance, Big Frog Mountain, Ducktown, Turtletown, Big Stone Gap, Norton, Wise, Coeburn, Appalachia, Pardee, Hiltons, Hansonville, Lebanon, Dye, Castlewood, Honaker, Rosedale, Benhams, Bristol VA, and Abingdon 221 PM EDT Tue Aug 12 2025 /121 PM CDT Tue Aug 12 2025/ ...Localized Flash Flooding Possible Through Wednesday across East Tennessee...southwest Virginia...and southwest North Carolina... A stream of tropical moisture will move north from the Gulf into the Tennessee valley and southern Appalachians through Wednesday. Periods of showers and embedded thunderstorms can be expected. Due to the abundant moisture these storms will be capable of producing excessive rainfall rates. If the storms move across the same locations, localized flash flooding is possible. Persons living near streams need stay alert for the potential of rapid water rise and flash flooding. Localized flooding of low lying areas and roadway flooding are possible. Please stay tuned to your NOAA weather radio and favorite radio and TV stations for the latest forecast and possible flash flood warnings or advisories in your area.
The Northeast Alabama radar (KHTX), 77 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:09 UTC.
4 flash flood, 1 heavy rain. Local standard time, as filed.
Photos from social media posts showed street flooding along Ringgold Road in multiple locations.
Flash flooding was ongoing at the Cascade Motel on Ringgold Road. A few evacuations had been done in this area.
Standing water was estimated to be 3 feet deep near Shallowford and Gunbarrel roads, with with water going over the hood of a truck. Additionally, someone drove around police barricades and into flood waters on nearby East Brainard Road before being swept away. Unfortunately this resulted in a fatality.
TDOT Smartway camera photos showed significant flooding on Interstate 24 at McBrien Road. Vehicles that entered the floodwater in the recent half hour have been abandoned, with drivers crossing the interstate divider and being helped to higher. Later photos and videos from social media showed cars floating on the interstate in this same area.
Waterlogged soils caused a large oak tree to fall and crush a car, killing the family of 3 within the vehicle. Calm to near calm winds were observed at the time of the incident off the nearby Chattanooga ASOS.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood, Hamilton | 2025-08-12 | Male | Vehicle/Towed Trailer | Direct | |
| Heavy Rain, Hamilton | 2025-08-12 | 29 | Male | Vehicle/Towed Trailer | Direct |
| Heavy Rain, Hamilton | 2025-08-12 | 27 | Female | Vehicle/Towed Trailer | Direct |
| Heavy Rain, Hamilton | 2025-08-12 | 3 | Female | Vehicle/Towed Trailer | Direct |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Tennessee in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyWarnings in Tennessee, August 2025
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1287779, 1287781, 1287783, 1287784, 1283123.