Rutherford County, TN - Tuesday, May 20, 2025, brought a chaotic start to Spring Fling, the TSSAA’s statewide high school warm-weather sports tournament. Severe storms swept through Rutherford County bringing torrential rains, flooding, strong winds, and multiple touchdowns disrupted the arrival of high school teams from across Tennessee.
Rutherford County's Storm Picture
Public Information Officer Lisa Marchesoni at the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office told WGNS news that the storm brought significant road closures due to flooding and storm damage. Elam Road at County Farm Road was completely shut down, while Sulphur Springs Road was nearly impassable. Standing water made travel difficult on Stewart Creek Road and One Mile Road near Pleasant Run Road, though they remained passable. Downed trees and power lines forced closures on Old Nashville Highway from Interstate 840 to Burleson Lane and East Jefferson Pike from Lascassas Pike to Old Highway 96.
In response to the severe weather, the Rutherford County Emergency Operations Center was activated, bringing together representatives from Emergency Management, Fire and Rescue, the Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Medical Services, Murfreesboro Police, and Tennessee Highway Patrol to coordinate efforts.
The storms triggered three tornado warnings, followed by flash flood warnings as heavy rains continued. Multiple power lines and trees were knocked down, leading to road closures, including I-24 East at MM 72.3, which resulted in an eleven-mile traffic backup on the interstate. The Rutherford County Highway Department worked swiftly to clear blocked roads.
Residents Impacted
Damage reports indicate over seventeen residents experienced minor property damage, and one minor structure fire was reported. To assist those affected, the county opened storm shelters at the Public Health and Safety building, where forty families saught refuge.
Public Shelters Were Used
Rutherford County constructed its four new Public Health and Safety Shelters with fire halls in Lascassas, Walter Hill, Readyvile, and Rockvale to have public shelters for residents needing shelter. Rutherford County spokesperson Lisa Kaye told WGNS that 40-families used the shelters on Tuesday night.
Kaye noted, “People who seek shelter are welcome. We do not question if they live in Rutherford County. So far this year, approximately 200 persons have used the public shelters.”
Murfreesboro’s Tuesday Night Storm Encounter
Murfreesboro Police Department’s Public Information Officer Larry Flowers updated WGNS on the same report, but for the City.
Around 5:30PM Tuesday evening, Police responded to reports of a tree on the roof of a two-story home on Kindness Way. Thankfully, no injuries were reported. The family was safe inside.
Additionally, there are reports of trees and a cable line down on Florence Road at Valor Road. The outbound lane of traffic toward Broad was blocked. Police assisted with traffic control.
In Murfreesboro, there was also a report of a tree limb falling on a car that was traveling along Florence Road, but the driver drove away before emergency crews arrived.
Murfreesboro Fire and Rescue Department responded to Broad Street where two trees fell across the road. Crews with Ladder 4 cut up and cleared the debris.
Haley Road was impassable due to flooding. City Street Department workers placed high water barrels Murfreesboro Police were on scene for traffic control.
Don't Drive on Water Covered Roads
Water continues to flow across some roadways in both Rutherford County, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Eagleville and La Vergne. You are reminded, do NOT attempt to drive through the water.
Flooding caused Elam Road at County Farm Road to be closed while Sulphur Springs Road is nearly impassable Wednesday.
Roads with standing water but passable are the 3053-block of Stewart Creek Road and One Mile Road near Pleasant Run Road.
Trees and power lines closed Old Nashville Highway from Interstate 840 to Burleson Lane and East Jefferson Pike from Lascassas Pike to Old Highway 96.
Sunshine Exploded into Wednesday...so did SPRING FLING!
Despite the turbulent start on Tuesday, with Wednesday’s sunrise, Spring Fling exploded into a sunny event packed day of competition for a myriad of warm-weather sports teams from across the state who are competing in this Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association’s (TSSAA’s) statewide competition.
