Checking the river gauges before heading downtown? Honestly, it’s the smart move. If you’re asking is nashville flooded right now, the short answer for Sunday, January 18, 2026, is no. The city is not currently under any active flood warnings or major flood threats.
Right now, the Cumberland River is sitting at about 18 feet at the Nashville gauge. To give you some perspective, action stage doesn't even start until 30 feet, and official flood stage is 40 feet. We are nowhere near the levels that cause the "big one" headlines.
The Current Situation on the Ground
Middle Tennessee has been through a bit of a soggy stretch lately, but the infrastructure is holding up fine. We saw about a quarter-inch of light rain and drizzle yesterday, and the clouds are hanging low today, but it’s mostly just "gray Nashville" weather. Nothing out of the ordinary for mid-January.
Roads like Briley Parkway and the downtown stretches of First Avenue are completely clear. You’ve probably seen those viral videos of Nissan Stadium surrounded by water—those are usually from the 2010 or 2021 events. Today, the parking lots are dry, and the Broadway honky-tonks are reachable without a boat.
Why People Worry (and Why They Should)
Nashville has a complicated relationship with water. Because the city is built in a basin and the Cumberland River snaking right through the heart of the district, people get nervous whenever it rains for more than two days straight.
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Local experts from the National Weather Service (NWS) Nashville office and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers monitor the dams like hawk. J. Percy Priest and Old Hickory dams are the primary "valves" for the city. If they start releasing massive amounts of water, that’s when the low-lying areas in Metro Center or Shelby Bottoms start to see "ponding."
Current Snapshot:
- Cumberland River Level: ~18.05 ft (Well below 40 ft flood stage).
- Richland Creek: Flowing normally at about 0.7 ft.
- Browns Creek: Calm at 1.8 ft.
- Weather Outlook: Mostly dry and cold for the next 48 hours.
Is It Safe to Visit Nashville Right Now?
Absolutely. If you have reservations at a hotel near the river or plans to see a show at the Ryman, you are good to go. The only thing you might need is a heavy coat and maybe an umbrella for some lingering mist.
When Nashville actually floods, it’s usually because of a "training" storm—that's when multiple heavy thunderstorms roll over the exact same spot for hours. We haven't had that setup this week. In fact, the ground has been cold enough that we've been more worried about ice than rising rivers lately.
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Understanding Is Nashville Flooded Right Now and Future Risks
While the answer is "no" today, Nashville is a flash-flood-prone city. It’s a reality of living here. Urbanization has paved over a lot of the soil that used to soak up rain, so the water has nowhere to go but the storm drains.
If you see heavy rain in the forecast, keep an eye on these specific spots:
- Mill Creek: This one rises faster than a Nashville hot chicken order. It affects Antioch and parts of South Nashville.
- Harding Place at Richland Creek: If this area gets hit with 3+ inches of rain in a few hours, the road can become a lake.
- Downtown Riverfront: Specifically near the Ghost Train brewing area and the northern end of First Ave.
If you are currently driving through the area and see water across the road, remember the cheesy but true catchphrase: "Turn around, don't drown." Most flood-related incidents in Davidson County happen because people think their SUVs are amphibious. They aren't.
Practical Steps to Stay Updated
Don't rely on old Facebook posts or rumors. If you want the ground truth, check the National Water Prediction Service (formerly the AHPS) for the Nashville gauge (NAST1). It gives you a real-time graph of exactly where the water is and where it’s forecasted to go.
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Also, follow NashSevereWx on X (formerly Twitter). They are local legends for a reason—they provide hyper-local, no-hype updates that tell you exactly which street corner is puddling up and which isn't.
If you're planning a trip later this week, the forecast looks stable. No major systems are moving in that would threaten the Cumberland’s banks. Pack your boots for the cold, but leave the life jackets at home for now.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the Radar: Use the NWS Nashville site for the most accurate local radar.
- Monitor Gauges: If you live near a creek, bookmark the USGS WaterWatch page for Tennessee.
- Sign up for Alerts: Enable "Wireless Emergency Alerts" on your phone to get instant pings if a Flash Flood Warning is issued for your specific GPS location.