Rescuers hope for no more victims in floods At least 29 people were killed across South by either water or tornadoes Image: Flooded Nashville area

Rescuers hope for no more victims in floods

At least 29 people were killed across South by either water or tornadoes

Jeff Gentner / AP Flood waters still cover much of Nashville, Tenn., on Tuesday.

NBC News and news services

updated 7:45 a.m. ET May 5, 2010

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The dark waters of the Cumberland River slowly started to ebb Tuesday as residents who frantically fled the deadly flash floods returned home to find mud-caked floors and soggy furniture. Rescuers prayed they would not find more bodies as the floodwaters receded.

The river and its tributaries had flooded parts of middle Tennessee after a record-breaking weekend storm dumped more than a foot of rain in two days, rapidly spilling water into homes, roads and some of Music City's best-known attractions.

At least 29 people were killed in Tennessee, Mississippi and Kentucky by either floodwaters or tornadoes. Water submerged parts the Grand Ole Opry House, considered by many to be the heart of country music, and the nearby Opryland Hotel could be closed for up to six months.