NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Excess rainfall from storms has historically led to several instances of flooding across Nashville. As flood waters rise, homes in some areas of the city risk being damaged beyond repair.

To mitigate that risk, Metro Water Services partners with federal organizations to purchase the homes at reduced prices and convert the land to green space. One such area particularly at-risk of flooding is in West Nashville, along the banks of Richland Creek.

Previously, MWS moved forward with plans to purchase dozens of homes along the creek. A large number of the homes along the creek banks were catastrophically damaged during the 2010 Nashville flood, and MWS worked with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Tennessee Emergency Management Agency on a 75%/12.5%/12.5% split in cost.

A MWS spokesperson said the department was tearing down five of the homes on the one-year anniversary of the flood.

The vacant space created by the demolition of those homes was eventually converted into a park with a playground — England Park — with playground funding from a national group of prison wardens, per MWS.

The name comes from a couple who died in their home during the flood: Andrew and Martha England. They previously lived at 908 Delray Drive, and they were the first owners of the home, which they purchased on May 6, 1955.

Starting two years ago, MWS has been in the process of buying 14 homes on the opposite side of the street through another partnership with USACE. According to MWS, that project is "about to close" and will be funded at 65% federal and 35% from MWS.

But this area in the Nations isn't the only flood-prone area in Davidson County, according to MWS. Flooding tends to happen along tributaries to the Cumberland River, including Richland Creek, Mill Creek, and Whites Creek, to name a few.

Some of the homes MWS has purchased over the years include:

• Delray Drive - 50 homes
• West Hamilton Avenue - 45 homes
• Wimpole Drive - 29 homes
• Hite Street - 23 homes
• Ewingdale Drive - 21 homes
• Pennington Bend Road - 20 homes
• Elysian Fields Drive - 18 homes
• Miami Avenue - 15 homes
• Park Terrace - 14 homes

As part of the flood mitigation program, MWS told News 2 it seeks to purchase qualified homes in all areas of Nashville, focusing on areas at the highest risk of flooding.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/middle-tn-neighborhood-news/flood-mitigation-home-purchase-program-helps-remove-residents-from-flood-prone-areas-in-nashville/