These high school graduations carried on in a downpour

A rainy Memorial Day weekend put a damper on plans for many Americans, closing pools, canceling parades and soaking outdoor ceremonies.

But in central Tennessee's Williamson County, two rain-soaked graduation ceremonies were in the spotlight. Parts of the county saw between 2 and 6 inches of rain in the days leading up to the holiday with the heaviest downpour falling between 7 a.m. on May 21 and 22, according to Alexandra Holley, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Nashville.

Britney Garner said her heart broke as she saw her daughter, Akyla Walton, slumped in her chair in a poncho as rain lashed the football field during the Centennial High ceremony.

"It just started coming down," Garner said. "The umbrellas and ponchos barely did justice. We were soaked from head to toe."

She ended up walking onto the field to hold an umbrella over her daughter as she tried to comfort her.

"She spent hours doing her hair, her makeup and practiced walking in her heels," Garner said. "She was just super excited ... we've been looking forward to this day for a while."

Much of the Central and Southeastern United States faced a risk of showers and thunderstorms on Memorial Day, the National Weather Service said in a May 24 forecast. The heaviest swath of rainfall and potential flash flooding was forecast from southeastern Louisiana into Tennessee and the Carolinas.

Flash flooding was reported in southeast Texas, in the Houston and Galveston weather service region. In an X post on May 24, the weather service office in New Orleans reported that Gulfport, Mississippi, had received 7.19 inches of rain over three days, while Houma, Louisiana, had seen 4.09 inches, and New Orleans reported slightly more than 3 inches.

Wet weather dampens graduation celebrations

Criticism from social media commenters poured in after Williamson County Schools made a post about Franklin High School's soggy ceremony.

"Pouring rain, soaked caps and unforgettable memories," the school district's post read. "The Franklin Admirals proved last night that nothing can dim this moment. Congrats, class of 2026!"

In an emailed statement provided to The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network, on May 25, Williamson County Schools Superintendent Jason Golden said many schools opt to hold ceremonies on their football fields to allow more loved ones to attend.

"We know the rain made Thursday night’s graduations at Centennial and Franklin challenging, and we appreciate the patience of our families," part of the statement read. "Based on forecasts and radar, we expected to complete Thursday night's ceremonies at Centennial and Franklin before the next wave of rain began, but unfortunately, changing conditions brought rain during the events. While the rain impacted those two ceremonies, it could not diminish our pride in our Centennial and Franklin graduates."

Footage shared on social media by Victoria Burls shows graduates walking across the stage on the Centennial High football field to receive diplomas during a torrential downpour on May 21. As of May 25, the post had racked up more than 40,000 views.

Burls' husband, Michael Burls Sr., told The Tennessean he was "deeply disappointed" by his daughter's graduation experience in a Facebook message on May 25. He believes the district should have done more to have a contingency plan.

"This was supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime moment celebrating her hard work and accomplishments, but instead the day became stressful and frustrating because of the poor planning surrounding the weather conditions," he said.

Despite the disappointment, Victoria Burls said people were mostly in "high spirits" as the skies opened up, and some came ready with rain gear.

"It was definitely a night to remember and makes for a good story," she said.

Rain cancels events, closes pools nationwide

In New Jersey, the soggy and windy weather led some towns to cancel Memorial Day plans as slick roads led to traffic accidents around the state.

In the northern part of the state, Clifton called off its annual "Avenue of Flags" celebration. Oakland canceled its Memorial Day Parade and moved a ceremony inside the American Legion building. While Saddle Brook went ahead with its parade in spite of the rain, and the parade in Lakewood was canceled.

“Unfortunately, the weather conditions do not allow us to proceed with the planned outdoor parade," Lakewood Mayor Ray Coles said in a statement. "At the same time, the township and our residents, each in our own way, will utilize this day to remember and honor the heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our great nation.”

Rainy weather also took its toll on Ohioans' holiday weekend plans.

The Columbus Recreation and Parks website listed all of its pools as closed on May 24, with the four that were expected to be opened closed due to low water temperature. The second day of the Columbus Asian Festival, which was expected to draw more than 100,000 attendees, was canceled by organizers over "inclement weather and saturated ground conditions," according to a Facebook post.

"The safety of our attendees, performers, vendors, volunteers, and community is our top priority," the post said. "We sincerely apologize for the disappointment and inconvenience this may cause."

Rain expected to continue across the nation

Widespread showers and thunderstorms will continue to loom over much of the South, with heavy rain expected in Texas and from the central Gulf Coast to the southern Mid-Atlantic, the weather service said in a forecast May 26. Rain and the threat of flash flooding will reach the Ohio Valley, eastern Texas and Louisiana on May 27.

"The main hazards from any strong to severe thunderstorms would include large hail, damaging winds, and isolated tornadoes," the weather service said.

Parts of the Pacific Northwest, Great Basin and Intermountain West are also expected to get rain and snow. A few showers and thunderstorms are possible in the northern Plains and Upper Midwest but won't be enough to cool the unseasonable heat plaguing the region.

Contributing: Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY; Emma Wozniak and Danae King, Columbus Dispatch; Deena Yellin, NorthJersey.com and David P. Willis, Asbury Park Press

Rachel Wegner covers education and children's issues for The Tennessean. Got a story you think she should hear? Reach her via email at [email protected]. You can also find her on X or Bluesky under the handle RachelAnnWegner.