The town of Rives and other surrounding areas are experiencing rapid onset flooding due to a levee failure along the Obion River.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The West TEMA Regional Director reported that a levee along the Obion at Rives failed, causing flash flooding in the area on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2025.
The NWS has declared a FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY for the town of Rives until Monday at 7:30 a.m.
Obion County Mayor Steve Carr has declared a State of Emergency and shared the following statement on Facebook.
The town of Rives and other surrounding areas are experiencing rapid-onset flooding, according to the National Weather Service (NWS.)
IMMEDIATE EVACUATION is taking place for areas near the levee break.
NWS is urging people in the area to seek higher ground NOW as this is a particularly dangerous situation.
Officials are asking the public not to attempt to travel unless they are fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order.
Turn around, and don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths happen in cars, as reported by the NWS.
Fire Administration was notified at 7:30 a.m. of extensive flooding in the area and the request for water teams was issued. It was reported that approximately 200 residents needed to be rescued from the rising Obion River.
Crews from Shelby County and TEMA District 11 deployed to assist with dangerous flooding in Rives.
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris issued the following statement in a Facebook post.
Millington has sent a Type 3 (6 personnel) water rescue team and equipment to to the area for the flooding. According to a social media post shared by the Millington Fire Department, teams have arrived in Rives and have boats conducting recon missions of flooded properties in that community.
The Tipton County Swiftwater Team deployed 8 members along with their equipment to assist. Their deployment team consists of two from Munford, two from Atoka, one from Covington, and three from County Fire. The Tipton County EMA Director was requested and the County Hydratrack was also deployed.
The Madison County Fire Rescue Swift Water Rescue Team and the Jackson-Madison County Regional Health Department Mobile Hospital have also been dispatched to Obion County according to a Madison County, TN Government social media post.
