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This morning there were many blocked  roads,  stranded motorists and citizens, and several accidents due to the magnitude of the flash flooding that pummeled Putnam County, Tennessee and some of the surrounding areas.

The pictures are labeled and tell the story.

Video will be forthcoming.

This report just in from the Cookeville-Putnam County Emergency Management Agency
700 County Services Drive, Cookeville, TN 38501, Phone: (931) 528-7575

Widespread Flooding / Water Rescue Report:

Water Reports:
– Cookeville Water Treatment Plant recorded 8.5” rainfall this date prior to 12pm CST.

Damage Estimates:
- Widespread flooding throughout Cookeville and the Western areas of Putnam County(near Baxter.)
- Home flooded off of foundation (2530 Dyer Long Road)
- State Highway 70 was closed, for a short period of time, to traffic in the Echo Valley area (between Cookeville and Baxter) due to flash flooding.

- State Highway 290(Gainesboro Grade) closed for flash flooding temporarily at intersection of Shipley Road.
- Bridge washed out on Pippin Road near Water Mill Road

- Timber Trail off Dodson Branch Road(state hwy 135) natural gas main ruptured under flood waters.
- A train reported to be hauling large quantities of sand was derailed on Fisk Road near Cookeville High School when it is reported that the tracks were washed away beneath the train. No injuries were sustained in that incident.

- Many county roads remain closed due to flooding or damage from flooding this afternoon.

Resources:
- Putnam County 911 Center(first call for help at 8:13am CST) and Putnam County Swiftwater Rescue team became inundated with rescue requests and immediately requested activation of the Tennessee Assosciation of Rescue Squads’ State Swiftwater Rescue Team, which responded with swiftwater resources to Putnam County from Smith County, Wilson County, Rutherford County, Cumberland County, Jackson County, and Smyrna.

- Tennessee Highway Patrol also responded with air support via a Bell Jet Ranger helicopter to help survey damaged areas and spot stranded victims.

- TEMA also sent a representative to the Putnam County Emergency Operations Center to help coordinate resources.

Word just in from State Rep. Henry Fincher:

Been on the phone with the Governors office and with TN Emerg Mgt Agency… agents are heading to Putnam County to assess damage in preparation of hopefully issuing a disaster declaration.

Please keep the affected families in your thoughts and prayers as we recover from this morning’s flood.