The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a flood watch for Maury and Williamson counties as the remnants of Hurricane Isaias head toward Middle Tennessee.
The watch takes effect late Friday, Oct. 9, and runs through Sunday morning, Oct. 11, according to Maury County Source. Spring Hill and Thompson's Station fall within the watch area.
The NWS Nashville office forecasts 1 to 3 inches of rain across the region, with wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph. The heaviest rain is expected Saturday, Oct. 10, and Saturday night. Columbia, the Maury County seat, could see 1.8 to 2.5 inches, the Columbia Daily Herald reported.
Excessive runoff may flood rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying areas, the weather service warned. Low-water crossings are especially vulnerable.
Drought conditions make the flooding risk worse. The NWS Nashville office said dry, hardened ground is less able to absorb heavy rain, allowing water to run off faster and pool in low spots. All of Middle Tennessee is experiencing at least moderate drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Nashville's rainfall totals are more than 10 inches below normal for 2026, according to the NWS.
Nearby Williamson County recorded only a trace of rain in September, the driest September on record there, landscape consultant Dr. Ernie Reynolds wrote in a Williamson Herald column. The monthly average is 3.80 inches.
The weather service also warned of possible brief spin-up tornadoes Saturday within rain bands tied to the tropical system.
Hurricane Isaias (pronounced ees-ah-EE-ahs) was expected to make landfall near Pensacola, Florida, on Friday, Oct. 9, according to NWS Tallahassee.
Conditions should improve Sunday, Oct. 11, with rain tapering off through the day and clear skies returning Monday, Oct. 12. Flood safety information is available at weather.gov/safety/flood.
