A big topic on everyone’s mind over the past few months has been “When is this weather going to let up?”

This winter season we’ve experienced multiple snow storms, the rising and falling of temperatures and now, this past week, an ample amount of rain and flooding. As someone who has lived in Tennessee his whole life, you’d think I’d be used to the unpredictability of such weather, but quite frankly it’s not exactly something one ever gets used to.

Sure, the running joke among Tennesseans is “If you don’t like the weather, wait a few minutes, and it’ll change.” While there is some truth to that statement, it still comes as somewhat of a surprise when you can experience all four seasons within a few day’s time.

It’s also an issue when you happen to live next to the river where the threat of flooding and the increased Riverside traffic of curious spectators becomes an annual tradition.

This year seems to be particularly bad, which has caused road and school closures this week due to the flooding. In fact, the waters were predicted to reach 41 feet, the highest crest in more than 75 years, compared to the previous recordings of 40.5 feet in 1946. However, according to Columbia Fire & Rescue, the river had reached approximately 39.02 feet by 11 a.m. on Friday.