An enormous storm hit Nashville last week and caused massive flooding in the area. It’s said to be the worst flood in middle Tennessee in the past 500 years.
A week later, the community is still recovering.
It rained nearly 14 inches, which is over a quarter of the annual
rainfall, in two days. The Cumberland River flooded, homes were ruined,
families had to be evacuated by boat in some areas, and many businesses were shut down due to
water damage.
rainfall, in two days. The Cumberland River flooded, homes were ruined,
families had to be evacuated by boat in some areas, and many businesses were shut down due to
water damage.
While the waters subsided in most places after the rain relented on Sunday evening, there was still more flooding the following day due to the river swelling.
Most schools were canceled for the week, but now life is beginning to return to relative normalcy… for some. Businesses are re-opening, people are returning to work, and it’s once again safe to navigate popular streets and roads (however, not all).
However, life is far from “back to normal” for many, especially those without flood insurance (which accounts for the vast majority of homeowners whose houses were damaged) and for those who have been forced to flee their homes. There is also a growing concern that Davidson and Williamson counties may be in short supply of clean drinking water. Both counties are under a mandatory water conservation order.
Churches and local groups are helping those in need, but there is still work to be done.
Some have even compared the situation to that of a post-Katrina New Orleans. While it’s probably not fair to compare one disaster to another, it definitely goes without saying that the damage is unprecedented in Tennessee’s history. To date, 18 people in Tennessee have died, 10 of which were Nashvillians (according to MSNBC, as of May 5, 2010).
Those who have been around long enough to see significant flooding in the area in their lifetimes say they have never seen anything quite like this.
Nashville has been declared a disaster
area by President Obama, and aid organizations are rushing in to help. There is an estimated $1 billion in damage, and 50 counties have been
affected.
area by President Obama, and aid organizations are rushing in to help. There is an estimated $1 billion in damage, and 50 counties have been
affected.
Although, initially, there was little national news coverage, more and more and now becoming aware of the severity of the situation and doing what they can to help. Nashville celebrities such as Taylor Swift have made significant donations to relief efforts and asked others to join them.
You can watch a CNN
report on the Nashville flood here.
report on the Nashville flood here.
If you’re
wondering how you can help, please begin by praying, and read this
post about ways to help Nashville.
wondering how you can help, please begin by praying, and read this
post about ways to help Nashville.
Also, keep checking back with this blog, as we will have more to share soon. (Subscribe to our email alerts.)
