Clarksville Declares State of Emergency After Floods Damage Over 160 Homes

Heavy Rainfall: The area received a total of 10.1 inches of rain from Wednesday, April 3rd to Sunday, April 7th, 2025.

Widespread Damage: Over 160 homes and 14 commercial properties have reported flood damage, with about a third sustaining major damage.

State of Emergency: Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts and Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden declared a local State of Emergency on Monday, April 7th, 2025, to mobilize resources.

Neighborhoods Impacted: Significant flooding and evacuations occurred in the Farmington, Reserve at Kirkwood, and Woodstock neighborhoods. Other areas like Elberta Drive also experienced issues.

River Flooding: The Cumberland River crested just above moderate flood stage at 50.54 feet, and the Red River crested near major flood stage at 39.3 feet on Sunday evening. Both rivers are slowly receding.

Community Response: Shelters and resource centers have been established by the Red Cross, YAIPAK, and the United Way to assist affected residents.

Why this matters: This severe weather event has caused significant disruption, displacing families, damaging property, and requiring a coordinated community response for recovery. Many affected residents may lack flood insurance, compounding the financial and emotional stress.

Timeline of Events: The first round of storms dropped over 5 inches of rain by Friday morning. A second round added nearly 5 more inches through Sunday night. Evacuations began Saturday at The Reserve at Kirkwood near the Dunlop Lane flood basin. On Sunday, extreme flooding hit the Farmington neighborhood, requiring evacuations and power cuts due to safety concerns. A sinkhole also formed near the Farmington basin injection well. Woodstock saw repeat flooding, having also been affected in February.

Infrastructure Impact: Numerous roads were closed, including key routes like Dunlop Lane, Dunbar Cave Road, and International Boulevard, disrupting travel. Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools were closed on Monday, April 7th, but planned to reopen Tuesday.

River Management: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers initially held back water at upstream dams to mitigate downstream flooding but began releasing water Sunday as conditions evolved. While the Cumberland and Red Rivers reached moderate and major flood stages respectively, causing flooding in low-lying areas like Liberty Park and the Marina, levels remained below major infrastructure like Riverside Drive.

Who This Affects Most: Residents whose homes were damaged or flooded face significant challenges, including displacement, property loss, and navigating the recovery process, especially those without flood insurance. Businesses forced to close due to damage or access issues also suffer economic losses. The entire community is affected by infrastructure disruptions and the need to support recovery efforts.

How to Prepare/Respond: While this specific event has passed its peak rainfall, residents in flood-prone areas should always have an emergency plan and kit. For those affected now:

Seek shelter and resources immediately if displaced.

Document damage thoroughly for potential insurance or aid claims.

Connect with official aid organizations for assistance.

Stay informed via local news and emergency management alerts regarding road closures and recovery resources.

Q: How many homes were damaged?

A: Initial reports stated over 120, but the latest updates indicate over 160 homes, plus 14 businesses, suffered flood damage.

Q: Was a State of Emergency declared?

A: Yes, the City of Clarksville and Montgomery County issued a joint local State of Emergency on Monday, April 7th, 2025.

Q: Where can flood victims get help?

A: The Red Cross opened an overnight shelter at Crow Recreation Center (211 Richview Road). YAIPAK (1255 Paradise Hill Road) offers daytime assistance with food, clothing, and supplies (open 9 am-4 pm). United Way (931-647-4291) and the website https://www.cmcresponds.org/?ref=yanuki.com target="_blank" centralize aid requests. Financial aid seekers can call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

Q: How high did the rivers get?

A: The Cumberland River at Clarksville crested at 50.54 ft (moderate flood stage), and the Red River near Port Royal crested at 39.3 ft (near major flood stage). Both are now receding.

Severe rainfall can quickly lead to dangerous flash flooding, even in areas not typically considered high-risk flood zones.

Community resources are mobilizing to help those impacted. Know where to direct people in need or where to offer support if you can.

Stay updated on local alerts for road closures and safety information during and after severe weather events.

The recovery process for affected families will likely be long; community support is crucial.

Source 1: UPDATE: Over 160 homes damaged by flood, local State of Emergency declared | VIDEO, PHOTOS - ClarksvilleNow.com target="_blank"

Source 2: See what Nashville area rivers saw water levels rise to flood stage - Nashville Tennessean target="_blank"

Source 3: Over 120 homes damaged in Clarksville flooding, local resources ready to help - WTVF target="_blank"

Source 4: Clarksville-Montgomery County Responds (Aid Request) target="_blank"

Source 5: YAIPAK target="_blank"