What might have made the flood in Waverly, TN, worse?

My observations point to a collapse of railroad tracks that might have acted like a dam or levee to Trace Creek. When it broke, that amplified the flash flooding from record rainfall in Waverly, TN, sending what witnesses described as a "mini-tsunami."

[@dianaflegal4495]

Sending love and prayers to all those in Tennessee impacted by this flood. May God help them deal with their immense losses and the ability to rebuild.

[@richardanderson490]

Hello Diana ,how are you doing?

[@tilltheend7902]

They recieved 17 inches of rain in a matter of hours. The train tracks acted as a dam. The force of the water eroded the bank. Thus the huge gush of water all of a sudden without warning. Praying for those who lost loved ones. Thankful for those who survived.

[@dknowles60]

that bank was going to give way sooner or later. rail tracks are not dams or leavys

[@itsjim2875]

Jonathan - nice footage & commentary. Thanks from a Waverly native whose been living in Southern California for the last 34 years.

[@kristinapence4051]

We're praying for all of you. Jonathan I just discovered your channel. PROFESSIONAL REPORTING. If that's not your daily trade, you should consider it. TOP NOTCH!

[@JonathanPetramala]

Thank you so much. I am trying to be completely independent after working in the industry for years. Support from people like you is the only way I can make it happen. Thank you for watching and please stay with the channel!

[@michellegarry1872]

LAST WILL BE THE FIRST absolutely correct. We have brought this on ourselves. We have kicked God out of everything and everywhere. He more or less said “You don’t want me here anymore? Fine, Have it your way. I’m out.” May God have mercy.

[@starlastarbright9221]

I think you're exactly 💯 on point, as to why this happened. Prayers for all.

[@zummo61]

The town is literally the entire flood plain, it is 1,350 feet wide, bounded to the north by railroad tracks at elevation 532 ft and to the south by hills at 650 ft. Trace Creek has a drainage area of 20.10 square miles and the town of Waverly is only 0.8 square miles. The water has no where else to go.

[@JonathanPetramala]

Yes it looked like after the violent release of water bursting through the railroad tracks, the raised tracks helped keep it funneled down stream through town and down the highway from visual evidence on the ground

[@ElComandante5]

I’ve been preaching that the whole time zummo61

[@vickilynn5717]

Has it ever flooded there before?

[@JonathanPetramala]

@@vickilynn5717 yes, 2010 most recently. Not to this extent and not to this type of violent flooding

[@vickilynn5717]

@@JonathanPetramala I see. My prayers are with you all.

[@Retr0racin]

If you build communities in low lying areas near rivers and streams you're going to have floods. Rebuilding them will result in more of the same.

[@sarahguin6277]

Exactly👍 They should build stone houses in those types of areas.

[@altitudeiseverything3163]

@@sarahguin6277 Seriously? All that would be left is the shell, so the loss -including human lives- would still be devastating. A family member of mine barely survived a historic flood in Holland, in which everything was lost…. living in a stone house. The small town, nearly all houses and businesses in it *stone,* was essentially wiped out and had to be abandoned.

[@danielrutter9757]

Construction was going on at the time of the flood. They were replacing a bridge right at that area. Just a week before the flood, we observed the creek above the bridge they were working on to be partially dammed up to restrict flow of creek. Cant help but wonder if this played a part in the whole disaster.

[@poponachtschnecke]

This video is so good, everything is well put together, and I really have nothing but complements, but maybe don't wear a black shirt if you can help it if you aren't trying to look like John Paul Tremblay.

[@JonathanPetramala]

Haha, I had to look him up. My buddy Andy will like that comment. He loves that show. I appreciate you watching.

[@LAT-qk3vj]

Another excellent report. Thank you Jonathan.

[@terrycline2294]

Did the heavy rain have the biggest affect on the flood?

[@JonathanPetramala]

Without the heavy record rainfall there would have been no flood so of course it is the biggest factor. As for the dynamics of the flood, video and witness evidence leads me to believe the railroad failure exacerbated it. I am not a hydrologist, just an observation.

[@msspears8915]

I'm sadden by this event. Flood plains are real.

[@kristinapence4051]

My apologies I just read your blog. You are a reporter, a dang great one. I know that area a little bit, but love what I seen. Everybody, god go with you on your recovery. ❤

[@JonathanPetramala]

Thank you!

[@maxmanus4637]

No warning? A flood like this with no warning? That is a bit strange.

[@JonathanPetramala]

There was a flash flood watch by NWS but they expected 3-6 inches. There was 17.6. Add to the fact of the factors I discuss in the video, it became as witnesses described "a mini-tsunami"

[@Rita-yw2tn]

Sending many prayers for you all 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@freeair9460]

What they won't tell you is several neighborhoods were built on creek beds that was not code. And a business up stream was allowed to dump in trace creek that caused the swift current

[@JonathanPetramala]

All I can show and report on is the visual evidence I can see. I am sure there are many factors that led into this, which will need to be investigated by officials.

[@freeair9460]

@@JonathanPetramala yes and thank you for what you have shown

[@madibawayne6314]

I live in Virginia about fifty miles above the Bristol Motor Speedway. I am Deeply Saddened to Hear of Your Loss. My Upmost Sympathy to the Entire Community. I am Praying for You All.🙏 ❤ Keep Holding onto God's Unchanging Hand, Keep on Praying and Trusting God. Trust in the Lord and Lean Not on Thine Own Understanding. God Will Make a Way. May God Richly Bless You All with Good Health, Prosperity, Love, Joy and Peace.❤❤❤

[@pizzulo81]

This sounds and looks like a local news channel.

[@JonathanPetramala]

Is that a good thing or a bad thing

[@pizzulo81]

@@JonathanPetramala good thing. It's very well put together.

[@JonathanPetramala]

Thank you, I am trying to make a go of this independently after being with news companies for years.

[@majorskepticism7836]

Fires out west, Tennessee flooding, Hurricane Ida - our homeowners insurance rates are going up. And they say these changes in weather patterns are no longer flukes, so get used to it.

[@vickylanding2830]

Repent of your sins and except Jesus Christ as your lord savior repent except the lord🙏

[@samanthalake4289]

Oh my God praying for ALL ❤️so sad Peace ☮️ in abundance be safe y'all

[@acquanellaogbemudia9930]

Prayers going up for the People

[@jeannettelelko2210]

Christ is the light that shines in darkness

[@richardanderson490]

Hello Jeanette ,how are you doing?

[@melissadyche8325]

Praying for all of you

[@catherinedupre814]

Oh Lord….we moved to Tennessee last October ….

[@countrygirl8295]

Get ready

[@dknowles60]

quit being a cry baby. you will be ok. know where every river and creek and ditch by your house are, 2 dont go out in the rain. see fema flood maps

[@altitudeiseverything3163]

@@dknowles60 “don’t go out in the rain” - You know that flash floods can occur *hours after* rains stop, right? Depending on on season, area of the country, topography, and in some cases the presence of upstream dams, recent rain isn’t even necessary for flash floods. With the exception of dam failure, national weather service and local weather forecasts do typically warn when flash foods are likely. But weather prediction isn’t perfect.

[@dknowles60]

@@altitudeiseverything3163 you dont live in the area like i do. tn is mostly rock and water runs off in rock stay home in heavy rains. stock lots of food in the winter. there was flood warnings 2 hours befor wavery tn got hit had flood warning coming over the cell phone all day. worked in lewis and hickman counties on the day of the flood. there was a lot of rain that day. I 40 was close down at mp 152 due to flooding. i love how people who dont live in tn tell me how things went that day

[@dknowles60]

@Ma P cars cost a lot of money i make it a point to know every water trouble spot with in 25 miles of my house. better yet ask the locals. tn has had a house on I 24 in floods

[@WhiteStone21475]

There, but for the Grace of God, go I.

[@timp8843]

Sometimes no amount of human resources can save you. It’s just you versus nature

[@y2kmadd]

Clogged drains.

[@montanaminck8423]

I would move

[@nicoletheunissen7077]

Hearts of men are cold in the last days,turn now.⌚ For What is the deal if you gain the whole world but stil lose your own soul ❗wake up💤💯..

[@terrycline2294]

Will those houses now be considered mobile homes?

[@hyekim0523]

🙏🙏🙏

[@mohammedjaafer9229]

يآمنصور يآقآئم آل ِ محمد أمت أمت يآصآحب الزمآن والمكآن والأزمآن والأمّكآن أمت أمت يآعلي مدد مدد يآعلي أمت أمت 🤲🏻🇮🇶🤲🏻🙏🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩

[@vickilynn5717]

Many prayers for Tennessee

[@richardanderson490]

Hello Vicki,how are you doing ?

[@wmcbarker4155]

I'm deaf and can't read Russian

[@nataliapl.9456]

This is the beginning of Global changes, an increase in climatic disasters, we have only one option, it is to unite and build a Creative Society ❤️

[@deloriscouch4877]

Prayers

[@er.ernawati.radar.orari.50]

Jonathan de la larung saji PETRUSlah SWAB baycline muter PETRUSlah congkel mata nya

[@battles423]

Do any black people live in Waverly. Because I have yet to see any .

[@JonathanPetramala]

This was my first time there. I didn't see anyone but white people. Demographic search showed around 90% white, 7% black

[@seanlee7276]

The government opening the dam.

[@jeffreyevans9431]

I'm sure ALL THAT TRASH piled up at critical locations played no roll in diverting all that water right through town . Oh , and WASH yer HANDS AND SHOES .

[@ПетрСтепанов-ш7и]

7 JEhovah has sworn by the Glory of Jacob, Surely I will never forget any of their works. 8 Shall not the land tremble for this, and all who dwell in it mourn? And all of it shall rise up like the light. And it shall overflow and sink like the Nile of Egypt. 9 And it shall be in that day, says the Lord Jehovah, I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the light of day. (Amos 8:7-9) 25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars. And on the earth will be anxiety of nations with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 men fainting from fear, and expecting those things which have come on the earth. For the powers of the heavens shall be shaken. 27 And then they shall see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 And when these things begin to happen, then look up and lift up your heads, for your redemption draws near. (Luke 21:25-28)

[@AliciaGuitar]

Clickbait!

[@JonathanPetramala]

How?