River rising, troubles not over in Tenn. AP video added
Posted: 05.03.2010 at 6:21 AM Updated: 05.03.2010 at 3:05 PM

Story updated with AP video

NASHVILLE (AP) -- Scores of highways are closed and weeks of cleanup are ahead for thousands of residents after devastating thunderstorms slammed Tennessee and northern Mississippi.

But the problems don't end there, or with at least 15 people killed over the weekend.

The Cumberland River is near what's expected to be a record crest. The river is at its highest level since an early 1960s flood control project was built and is continuing to rise, threatening portions of downtown Nashville.

The National Weather Service says the river is expected to reach its crest of about 50 feet sometime early. That's about 10 feet above flood stage and could lead to some flooding near Nashville's downtown tourism industry.

Thousands were evacuated and hundreds of others were rescued - some plucked from rooftops as flood waters inundated neighborhoods.

In Nashville, Opryland's 1,500 guests are spending the night in a high school to escape rising floodwaters that threatened other areas of downtown.

 

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