Waverly, city in Tennessee, United States
Waverly is a small city in Humphreys County, Tennessee, and serves as the county seat of that rural Middle Tennessee county. It sits in the Cumberland River valley, surrounded by rolling hills and farmland.
Waverly was founded in the early 19th century and grew into the administrative and commercial center of Humphreys County. In August 2021, the city was severely damaged by a flash flood that killed more than 20 people and destroyed many homes and businesses.
Waverly serves as the county seat of Humphreys County, which means local government, courts, and public offices draw residents from surrounding towns every day. The downtown area has the feel of a small Southern town where people come to run errands, grab lunch, or attend to official business.
Parts of the city are still recovering from the 2021 flood, so some areas may look different from older photos or maps. Basic services such as gas stations, diners, and government offices are available in the downtown area.
The August 2021 flash flood that hit Waverly is considered one of the deadliest natural disasters in Tennessee history, with an extraordinary amount of rain falling in just a few hours over a small area. The scale of destruction in such a short time drew national attention and triggered a long rebuilding effort that is still ongoing.
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