Flooding impacts Franklin sewer system

Updated 9:00 p.m.

The National Weather Service has extended the flood advisory for the Harpeth River until 7 p.m. Monday for Davidson and Williamson counties.

On Sunday, the river at Bellevue was under flood stage but the levels will remain high through the next 24 hours, according to NWS.

At 8 p.m., the stage was at a depth of 15.4 feet.

Updated 4:30 p.m.

Here are weekend rainfall totals from the National Weather Service. Only Nashville includes the totals through Sunday afternoon. The other cities reflect totals from Friday to Sunday at 6 a.m. and will not be measured again until Monday at 6 a.m.

Nashville: 3.49 inches

Franklin: 3.18 inches

Lebanon: 3.18 inches

Cheatham County dam: 2.45 inches

Updated 2:30 p.m.

Franklin officials are sampling flood water in the Chestnut Bend neighborhood after a portion of the Harpeth River inundated a section of the sewage system that has been undergoing repairs over the last several weeks potentially sweeping raw sewage into the flood stream .

"It's not a huge volume by any extent, but it is definitely something that's happened and we want to make sure people are aware," said Eric Stuckey, city administrator, on Sunday.

Meanwhile after heavy weekend downpours that continued through Sunday morning, some flooded streets are beginning to clear. Franklin police reported a previously covered section of Lewisburg Pike is now clear.

A flood advisory along the Harpeth River remains in effect for Williamson County and Bellevue in Davidson County.

Flooding in Franklin has pushed portions of the Harpeth River over its banks and inundated parts of the city's collection system that transports raw sewage to the wastewater treatment plant.

Floodwaters may contain raw sewage and other contaminants, Franklin officials said. They are urging residents to use caution and not enter open and standing water on roadways.

A flood advisory remains in effect for the Harpeth River in Bellevue and parts of Williamson County until Sunday evening after heavy spring storms dumped more than 3 inches over a 24-hour period.

Strong rains continue to drench Franklin and parts of Williamson County late Sunday morning, where the Harpeth River reached 20.91 feet at 11:15 a.m., according to the National Weather Service. Flood stage is 30 feet. During the May 2010 flood, the river crested at 35.32. National Weather Service projections show the river levels subsiding to under 15 feet by this evening.

Additional rainfall and thunderstorms affecting Middle Tennessee are expected throughout Sunday, but the bulk of the soggy weather is now in the Upper Cumberland, according to the National Weather Service.

Rains began to taper off across the region into Saturday evening, but not before swelling creeks and rivers, as well as causing streets to flood.

Tornado warnings were also issued for areas near the Alabama border.

“Creeks are still running high, and there is always a concern,” said Sam Herron, a National Weather Service meteorologist. “But street flooding should improve with the rain moved out.”

Although Sunday weather will bring some scattered showers and cloudy skies, Herron said the area should get a reprieve from the widespread flooding seen on Saturday. Temperatures will hover in the low 60-degree range.

The impact of the storm ranged across Middle Tennessee, with Williamson County hit particularly hard by the rainfall. The weather service estimated the Harpeth River rose an average of about 15 feet in the 24 hour period. By 8 a.m. Sunday, the river had reached 16 feet, but was expected to fall to 11 feet by Monday morning. Flood stage is 20 feet.

The flooding in Williamson County also closed Trinity Road near Arno Road. Horn Tavern Road in Fairview also closed with multiple other roads across the county covered with water, according to meteorologists.

"Flooding was widespread, but we received the most reports from Williamson County," said Justin Jackson, a weather service meteorologist.

The rain also shutdown numerous roads in Rutherford County due to dangerous conditions. Standing water caused impassable conditions near the bridge at Shoemaker Road. Emergency officials urged drivers to use caution when travelling through the area.

Additionally, the deluge put a damper on most of Nashville’s spring festivities.

Metro Public Works canceled its Nashville's Earth Day Festival, which was scheduled for 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at Centennial Park. The event was to feature live entertainment, exhibits and hands-on activities.

The rain also cancelled most of Mayor Megan Barry's second annual Citywide Spring Cleanup in partnership with Comcast Cares Day. Only two events took place during the event, in Councilman's Dave Rosenberg's Bellevue and Karen Johnson's Antioch-Priest Lake districts.

This year's Citywide Spring Cleanup was expected to draw 1,500 volunteers, including Comcast employees, to events across the city.

"Mayor Barry is all about litter prevention, so raising awareness about litter and trash is one of her top priorities," said Kelly Brockman, spokeswoman for Metro Public Works, adding that the 89 planned locations were up from 64 last year.

Aldo Amato contributed to this report.

Reach Jason Gonzales at jagonzales@tennessean.com and on Twitter @ByJasonGonzales. Reach Getahn Ward at gward@tennessean.com or 615-726-5968 and on Twitter @getahn.