A flood watch is in effect for Saturday as Middle Tennessee is expected to receive several hours of "moderate to heavy rainfall."
According to the National Weather Service, rain will begin as early as 6 a.m. Saturday.
The chances for northwest counties to receive at least two inches of rain is 100%, while the chances of four inches is between 40-50%. For the remainder of the region, additional rainfall amounts of 1.5 to 3 inches will be possible, reported the weather service.
Along with a severe weather threat, there is also a potentially significant flooding threat. The greatest concern for flooding lies over the northwest, but all of Middle Tennessee could experience flooding, especially in low-lying areas.
What Middle Tennessee rivers are likely to flood this weekend?
The rivers with the greatest flooding risk are rivers north and west of Nashville, said the weather service, especially the Red River which is forecast to reach major flood stage and portions of the Cumberland River which are forecast to reach minor flood stage at Clarksville and Dover.
Other rivers that will likely see rises are the Duck River, Buffalo River, Harpeth River, and Stones River which are likely to reach action stage, the point at which action is taken for possible high water, or even minor flood stage, said National Weather Service Meteorologist James La Rosa.
Flood stage is the point at which a body of water is considered to be flooding and can potentially threaten lives or property. Here is what else to know about flood risks for Middle Tennessee rivers.
Red River
The weather service has issued a flood advisory for Red River at Port Royal affecting Montgomery and Robertson Counties. The river is expected to rise above flood stage (30 ft) late Saturday evening to 43.2 ft early Sunday afternoon.
It will then fall below flood stage Monday evening, said the weather service.
Cumberland River at Clarksville
The Cumberland River at Clarksville reaches flood stage at 46 ft and it's expected to rise to 48.70 ft by Monday causing minor flooding. At 50 ft, most agricultural areas along with industrial and commercial properties are flooded.
Cumberland River at Nashville
Flood stage at the Cumberland River in Nashville is 40 ft. By Monday, water levels are expected to reach 35 ft.
Mill Creek at Woodbine
Mill Creek at Woodbine in southeast Nashville could surpass flood stage, 14 ft, by Sunday morning, reaching 14.70 ft and causing minor flooding. Further south, Mill Creek at Antioch could hit 13.20 ft, just below flood stage.
Duck River at Centerville
Action stage on the Duck River at Centerville in Hickman County is 17 ft. As of Friday morning, the river was at 17.6 ft and falling. It's expected to rise to 18.5 ft by Tuesday morning. Flood stage is 22 ft.
Duck River at Shelbyville
Flood stage at the Duck River is 25 ft. By Monday, water levels are expected to reach 12 feet.
Buffalo River
Flood stage at the Buffalo River near Lobelville is 14 ft; however, at 10 feet, water will begin to inundate low lying areas and agricultural land along the river. As of Friday morning, water levels were 10.2 feet and rising slowly, reported the weather service.
By Sunday, water levels are expected to reach 13 feet.
Harpeth River at Bellevue
Flood stage on the Harpeth River at Bellevue is 20 ft. The river is expected to crest at 18 ft by Sunday.
Harpeth River at Franklin
Flood stage at the Harpeth River is 30 ft, water levels are expected to reach 22 ft by Sunday.
Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for The Tennessean. Contact her at [email protected] or follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @_leyvadiana