Fifteen inches of rain falling into several major watersheds in two short days has led to historic, widespread flooding for much of Middle and West Tennessee. Tens of thousands of homeowners ended up with their homes partially or completely underwater and they have no flood insurance because their neighborhoods were not in FEMA's flood zones and insurance was not available to them. Historic tourist venues such as Opryland Hotel and the Grand Ole Opry are flooded. Many people lost their lives and the death toll is expected to rise as the waters continue to recede back into the Cumberland River. The cost of this disaster will reach into the billions before it is all said and done and the national media has largely ignored the story of what has happened here.
Citizens of the Volunteer State have stepped up in so many ways that the national media should put the spotlight on us. There have been countless reports of neighbor helping neighbor, stranger helping stranger, and the government officials have handled the situation with professional poise that should be a shining example for leaders at all levels of government to see. I am proud of my fellow Tennesseans as there have been no reports of looting or rioting. The cynical side of me thinks that perhaps if there had been, the national media would have found our story more newsworthy.
Regardless of the amount of time dedicated to our plight here in Tennessee on the nightly news, our friends, families, and neighbors need your help and that help will require money. I beg anyone reading this to visit www.nashvilleredcross.org to help the flood victims in Middle Tennessee get back on their feet or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation on your mobile phone.
If you have not seen the footage from the Nashville area, check out the video below to get a taste of what happened to the Athens of the South and its surrounding area.
Citizens of the Volunteer State have stepped up in so many ways that the national media should put the spotlight on us. There have been countless reports of neighbor helping neighbor, stranger helping stranger, and the government officials have handled the situation with professional poise that should be a shining example for leaders at all levels of government to see. I am proud of my fellow Tennesseans as there have been no reports of looting or rioting. The cynical side of me thinks that perhaps if there had been, the national media would have found our story more newsworthy.
Regardless of the amount of time dedicated to our plight here in Tennessee on the nightly news, our friends, families, and neighbors need your help and that help will require money. I beg anyone reading this to visit www.nashvilleredcross.org to help the flood victims in Middle Tennessee get back on their feet or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation on your mobile phone.
If you have not seen the footage from the Nashville area, check out the video below to get a taste of what happened to the Athens of the South and its surrounding area.
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