By TRAVIS LOLLER and KRISTIN M. HALL
Associated Press Writers
NASHVILLE – Muddy waters poured over the banks of Nashville’s swollen Cumberland River on Monday, spilling into Music City’s historic downtown streets while rescuers using boats and Jet Skis plucked stranded residents away from their flooded homes as the death toll from the weekend storms climbed to 28 people in three states.
The flash floods caused by record-breaking amounts of rain caught many off-guard, forcing thousands to frantically flee their homes and hotels. The rapidly rising waters led to the deaths of 17 people in Tennessee alone, including 10 in Nashville, and officials feared that the death toll could increase. Officials announced the latest deaths late Monday after receding flood waters revealed six more bodies.
“Do we suspect to find more people? Probably so. We certainly hope that it’s not a large number,” said Metro Nashville Davidson County Fire Chief Kim Lawson.