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High Waters at Cumberland City

Cumberland CityCumberland City, TN – Traveling down Hwy 149 to Cumberland City, the effects of the severe storms and flooding are clearly visible. Some roads, such as Hematite Road, are flooded and un-passable.

The Cumberland City area, was hit hard by last year’s flood. After the recent rains ended, and the Cumberland River started to rise once again, the owner of the Busy Bee Market, Cindy Hook decided she was taking no chances. So she removed all of the merchandise from the Market and moved to a secure location. Everything that could be moved was moved. Looking in the building, all you can see left are empty coolers.

Busy Bee Market in Cumberland City, TN.
Busy Bee Market in Cumberland City, TN.

The Cumberland City Ferry, which connects Hwy 233 in Stewart County to Hwy 79 in Montgomery County, has been closed for the last couple of days. The landing on the Montgomery County side is completely underwater. According the workers on the ferry, the water level would need to drop 4 to 6 feet before they can start ferrying vehicles across the Cumberland River again.

During last years flood, at least one of the Cumberland City pumping station was underwater. “Water got down in the manhole last year and burned out the motors at the pumping station.” stated Cumberland City Water Department and Maintenance employee Danny Baggett. “This time we are taking no chances. We sandbagged all three pumping stations in order to avoid a re-occurance of last year.”

The dam, at the Cumberland City Steam plant underwater.
The dam, at the Cumberland City Steam plant underwater.

The dam, at the Cumberland City Steam plant, a popular fishing spot, is completely underwater. The parking lot is flooded. The only thing visible is the hand rail to the steps leading down the the concrete pad everyone fishes from. Even the rails along the top of the dam are submerged. However, this did not stop a couple of people from fishing the spot from the far bank.

The equipment used to load synthetic material from dump trucks onto barges is half under water.

The equipment used to load synthetic material onto barges.
The equipment used to load synthetic material onto barges.

Just past the Steam Plant, on the right is the boat ramp.  The ramp and gravel parking lot is completely underwater. From the highway, you see about 8 feet road heading into the water.

The Yellow Creek boat launch area is underwater. In fact, the water is half way up the gravel parking area. Yellow Creek has risen to where it is only 4 to 6 feet from the bottom of the Gus Norfleet Bridge.

While at the Yellow Creek ramp, a couple of fishermen drove up and put in a small boat. Mike Poole and Gorden Scott had fished Yellow Creek the day before. “We had a lot of luck fishing yesterday evening, especially along the banks.” stated Poole. “We’re going to go out and try our hand at it again today.”

The Cumberland River should crest in the area sometime today. It will take days for the swollen river to recede.

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