NASHVILLE, Ill. — Heavy rain caused flash flooding throughout southern Illinois. In less than 24 hours, the city of Nashville documented six inches of rain — that's located between Mount Vernon and St. Louis.
The rainfall caused a dam at the Nashville Reservoir to fail, overflowing with floodwater. More than 200 homes were evacuated from the flood zone.
People who live on the street, like Chad Bullock, said this isn't the first time the dam has failed.
“This is probably the fifth or sixth time. This is the highest it's ever been,” Bullock said.
“This is probably the fifth or sixth time. This is the highest it's ever been,” Bullock said.
In the six years Bullock has lived in his home, he said he's never seen flooding this bad.
“The highest I got before was 17 inches. This time it was 37 inches. So it's really high. It got above my basement in the house and it flooded the basement. It's never been in the house before,” said Bullock.
Alex Haglund with Washington County Emergency Management is keeping the community updated on the flooding through social media.
“The highest I got before was 17 inches. This time it was 37 inches. So it's really high. It got above my basement in the house and it flooded the basement. It's never been in the house before,” said Bullock.
Alex Haglund with Washington County Emergency Management is keeping the community updated on the flooding through social media.
"Washington County first responders worked to evacuate residents in the area, with Some residents reporting water in their homes as high as waist level and one resident required rescue in order to safely leave her home,” Haglund said during a Facebook Live stream.
Though the water is receding, Haglund said the flooding threat is not over yet.
“Please stay home. If you stay off the road, that is the best way to stay safe,” said Haglund.
Bullock will use the time at home to start trying to salvage what he can.
Though the water is receding, Haglund said the flooding threat is not over yet.
“Please stay home. If you stay off the road, that is the best way to stay safe,” said Haglund.
Bullock will use the time at home to start trying to salvage what he can.
“It's pretty bad. A lot of stuff is underwater. A lot of stinky mud. The basement is like that too, so it'll be a lot of clean up… That's all you can do is, you know, clean up and make the best you can of it,” Bullock said.
No injuries or deaths were reported Tuesday night; however, there is significant property damage from the flooding.
Washington County Emergency Management said it could be some time before the impacted areas return to normal and asked the community for patience as they work to clean up and restore the area.
