Rainwater recedes prior to serious flooding

The National Weather Service in Nashville issued a flood warning this morning for the Garrison Fork near Wartrace, but as of 8 a.m. only two roads were closed and Bedford County Highway Department expected the water levels to go down quickly once this morning's rain ended.

Mullins Mill Road and Bugscuffle Road had to be closed as a result of high water, and warning signs were placed on Minkslide Road.

Shelbyville Municipal Airport reported 2.07 inches of rain as of 8 a.m. this morning.

Normandy Lake was recorded at 869.59 feet yesterday, with the gates open and releasing water.

Showers and thunderstorms are in the local forecast through Saturday night, with a 60 percent chance of rain on Friday, a 70 percent chance Friday night and an 80 percent chance on Saturday.

According to the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH), just six inches of fast-moving flood water can knock you off your feet and two feet of water can sweep an SUV off a road.

"Each year," states the FLASH web site, "more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other thunderstorm related hazard. Why? The main reason is people underestimate the force and power of water. Many of the deaths occur in automobiles as they are swept downstream. Of these drownings, many are preventable, but too many people continue to drive around the barriers that warn you the road is flooded."