Friday, May 7, 2010

Nashville, TN

I cried last night.

As some of you realize that stop here often, I live in Nashville, TN.  This past weekend, my beloved home and city was DEVASTATED by flood waters.  People lost their houses, cars, photos, beloved pets, and their lives.

On Saturday night, we watched the news, staring in disbelief at what unfolded in front of us.  I-24 under water, a portable building floating along, ripping apart as it bumped into cars and semis.  The Cumberland River spilling into neighborhoods, and people being evacuated.  We went to bed uneasily and late that night, wondering what tomorrow would bring, not believing the images we had watched.

Sunday morning, and still the rain coming down, seeming never to end, with the intention to drown us all.  We lost power, but we were so lucky that our neighborhood was not flooded.  We lost some trees, minor wind damage, but nothing so catastrophic as many, many others.  We spent the day without power, wondering what was happening.  Not able to go far in our vehicle because of the rain and flooding at the end of our roads.  

Did you happen to see The Dairy King on Thompson Lane by Mill Creek?  That is only a few streets over from me.  That is how lucky we were.  

Sunday night, we went to a friends house after the rain stopped to take showers and eat warm food.  We watched the weather channel, expecting to see news of this historical flood.  Our local stations were on it.  Nationally, no one seemed to notice.  I did not really think anything about it.  It had just happened, obviously, news reports would build on it soon.

20 reported deaths in Tennessee so far.

Our city's history has been drowned.  The Grand Ole Opry is underwater.  Opry Mills and the Opryland Hotel are basically destroyed and we have to be rebuilt.  And we do not have flood insurance.  Nashville hasn't flooded like this in centuries.  We had record rainfall.  Record meaning that the amount of rain that fell in one day during the flooding is more than ANY recorded value since they began recording rainfall.

And already we're rebuilding.  The Opry has planned shows in other venues in town that weren't damaged.  We have massive volunteer efforts going to people's houses, helping to clear out the ruined, pull out drywall, try to salvage what isn't gone.  People bringing in water, as we have lost one of our water treatment plants.

And I assumed everyone knew.  No.

We weren't on the news.  The billions of dollars in devastation and lives lost.  No, this is not the biggest tragedy ever.  But it is a tragedy to us.  It's different if you move in an area you expect to flood, around the oceans or gulfs.  It was unexpected to here, and if you asked any weatherman or flood plane analyst, they would tell you it was virtually impossible.  Some people were even denied flood insurance by insurance companies, because people do not need it in this land locked area.  We need it now, but now it is too late.

I cried last night.  Watching these families on the donation special, on Andersoon Cooper's show, as he came to Nashville.  People spilling out their hearts, their loss, but most importantly, their hope.  No one may have taken notice of us, and come running to help as in other disasters.  But we did what we do.  We pulled together as a city and a community, and we began to rebuild ourselves.  Donations, volunteers, any little bit helps.  

And so I cried.  I cried for my home, and what mother nature has done to her.  I cried for my fellow citizens of Nashville, and the pain they have to endure.  I cried for those who lost their lives, swept away by a flood we never knew was coming.

The Country Music Hall of Fame re-opens on Saturday.  Downtown has been cleared.  Visit us.  Come and see.  We are devastated, but we are rising.

READ:


Anderson Cooper

7 comments:

ADVERSE! said...

i was so disturbed at reading this as it is very sad, devastaing news,,,,and yes you are correct in thinking its not on our news either uk! all we got goin on is voteing n a silly hung parliment...i can not imagine what this feels like to live in the area you live in or imagine what its like to see this kind of destruction....i read your post to my boyfriend and found myself also with a tear and tissues......praying you all get the help and support you need.Such a sad post although im glad i read it as i now am informed...blessings

Oru said...

You are all in my thoughts and hopes.

And as it sounds - nothing can keep you guys down. :) Keep on rising, Tennessee.

LipBlock said...

I didn't know about this massive destruction until now.....I haven't seen this on the news...
We have also experienced a heavy flood last year here in the philippines....I've heard Taylor swift is donating $5oo k.....We'll keep on praying ...You can get through this.....God bless!

Lenina Crowne said...

Thank you everyone. We need all the prayers and support you can send right now.
We're drying everything off as we speak.
:)

Casey said...

I did hear about the horrible flooding in your area and I was concerned when you went a few days with no blog. I am glad to hear that you are safe and I wish you and all of Tennessee the best of luck rebuilding and recovering.

Lenina Crowne said...

Thanks for worrying about me, Casey. We've got our house in order now, thankfully, so we're focusing on the other people in Nashville. Everyone appreciates a kind word.

Lenina Crowne said...

Thank you for that compliment.
I hope you enjoy pouring yourself out into your own blog. It is a good catharsis.