Floods

As I am writing this, Murfreesboro (but mainly Nashville) is in the midst of a historic flood. I am writing this now mainly to record my thoughts on the situation as it unfolds.

The rain started Saturday, and except for brief windows, has not stopped. Some areas of the region have received as many as 20 inches in the last two days. Nashville has recorded record May rainfall, and it is only May 2nd. Here in Murfreesboro we have received roughly 10 inches in the last 2 days.

They are calling this a 500 year flood, and I would believe it. Parts of Nashville are flooding that have not flooded in recent memory. Mill Creek, which my parents live near, has flooded and gone over I-24, killing at least one person there. Parts of Bellevue are flooded. They are evacuating the guests and workers from Opryland Hotel, which has to be a logistical and public relations nightmare for the hotel.

For me, I have a hard time tearing myself away from the television. I think it was better when there was not 24/7 outlet to the news. Seeing the flood occur in real time is heartbreaking. Watching infants being evacuated makes me want to go hug my own babies. Watching parts of Antioch where I learned to drive, where I hung out with friends underwater breaks my heart. So many fond memories of Nashville are now tinged with the sadness of the flooding.

I worry about my parents, who live above Mill Creek. Luckily their street is located on a very high hill, so if they are totally flooded out it means that it is time to call out the arks and abandon all hope. They have water in their basement;there would be more water but they have worked tirelessly the last 24 hours, tyring to get out the water as soon as it comes in. The roads between us are closed, so we can't even get to them to assist in clean up, or to just offer solace as they deal with the cleanup of the flood waters.

I fear that when the rain finally stops and the waters recede (which I estimate won't happen until Tuesday) the devastation will be mind-numbing. So many homeowners in the area do not have flood insurance, as their homes are not located in flood plains. I worry about Antioch, where my parents live, and which has been struggling financially for some time. I fear this flood may be the death knell for Antioch. While I no longer live in Antioch, I would hate to see it die because of the flood.