Shelby County Flash Flooding

Sunday, August 12, 2001

A line of strong thunderstorms developed across Shelby County during the mid afternoon on Sunday producing a significant heavy rain event. Thunderstorms developed across Northwest Shelby County near the community of Northhaven around 2 pm and then moved southeastward through Frayser...East Memphis...Southeast Memphis and the Nonconnah Corridor. Radar estimated rainfall amounts ranged from at least 2 inches with a large area of 3 to 4 inches across the East and Southeast parts of Memphis. The maximum amount detected was 4 to 6 inches in the vicinity of the White Station Road and Quince Road intersection.

The heavy rain fell very quickly over Shelby County with most accumulations occurring in less than 2 hours. The rain could not drain properly and there was extensive ponding of water. Street flooding and traffic disruption occurred across East Memphis Sunday afternoon. Many structures in low lying areas were also flooded and damage estimates exceed $1,000,000.

Click on the following thumbnail to see a larger picture of the radar estimated rainfall from across Shelby County.