One of the best organizations that are helping people after the flood is Hands on Nashville. They have been on hand (forgive the pun) since 1991 coordinating volunteers with people and places in need of services. This is how their website, www.hon.org says it:
HON is a recognized leader in programs, partnerships and services that maximize volunteer impact for youth, adult, corporate, and nonprofit constituencies in the greater Nashville community. Each year, Hands On Nashville refers or places 38,000 volunteers to projects in more than 300 area service agencies and schools.
I have heard several flood victims state that they are concerned that as time goes on the volunteers will fade away and they won’t be able to get the help they need. Knowing Hands on Nashville is here in our community and NOT going anywhere should be a comfort to those who still need help today and for those who may need help in the foreseeable future. Please contact them if you are still in need as well as if you are ready to step in and volunteer some more or for the first time.
After the flood many in our area are rethinking their drainage situation. I’ve heard of homes that were flooded because water was directed right into the house. If there was proper drainage that led the water to the outside of some of these houses they would have been spared. The question is; do you need to redo or just do some drainage work to avoid this ever happening to you?
There are a couple of things to look for to know if this is something you should consider. First, does water pool up against your foundation at the front or back of your house? Second, does water pool out in your yard and create mini ponds? One person I spoke to fixed the water against the house by purchasing extension hoses that fit on the bottom of the gutter drain and redirected the water to the sides of the home. You can try this first before calling a professional in to take a look.
The pools out in the yard may or may not be a problem and will need to be accessed by a professional. Some landscaping companies have the capability of doing drainage work. Make sure whoever you use to get qualified referrals.
I would suggest that you go to Donate Nashville and fill out the need you have and see if there is someone out there who can help you fill that void. Here is what they say on the website about what they do, which is wonderful!
“When disaster strikes – large or small – there will always be a need that falls through the cracks: a donation that doesn’t make it to the right spot, or a concerned volunteer who can’t find a place to plug in. That’s where we come in. Donate Nashville connects real needs, no matter how small or unusual, with practical, community-based solutions. As neighbors, we’ll work together in creative and personal ways to touch each other’s lives and solve our city’s most pressing challenges.”
What a simple idea that can really help people on a neighborhood by neighborhood basis as well as case by case basis. It is also a great place to go if you have something you would like to give back to the community of Nashville and surrounding areas. They simply match your “have” with someone else’s “need”. The ingenuity of some has made it so much easier for us all to connect. Just another great reason we are the volunteer state!
In talking with friends, family and co-workers you quickly get the sense that everyone has been touched by this flood in one way or another. Though my husband and I stayed dry, my daughter and son-in-law lived in the hard hit area out in Bellevue. And though their loss was hard for them it was not near the loss that some of their neighbors had. With all that has happened, what we have discovered once again, in the volunteer state is the helping hands that come out of nowhere when disaster hits.
With this in mind I wanted to pass along a list of official and informative websites to help all of those involved as well as the organizations that will be raising money for quite a while to help victims of the flood. If you would like to volunteer, consider one of the organizations listed below as they are always looking for people to help them with both fundraising and getting things done!
Helpful Links:
Volunteering and Fundraising:
I have been reading and hearing today much about the projected economic impact the recent flood will make on Nashville, its businesses and surrounding areas and have been surprised at how negative some of these have been. Maybe this surprised me because I tend to lean toward the optimistic view point in just about every situation including this one.
I do realize there will be a time of cleaning up and rebuilding and it makes me think about the tornado that hit downtown, East Nashville and the Hermitage areas in 1998. I know that many have felt that the tornado was the beginning of really building East Nashville to what it is today; a thriving, trendy neighborhood were many want to live.
It won’t be easy and it will take time but Tennesseans are a resilient bunch and know how to rebuild after hard times and disasters. If I was to bet on whether the will take us out or help us build it better long term; my vote would be that we will build it better. Time will tell if I am right.
One of the dangers when water gets into your home has to do with mold; especially if it is warm outside. While you hear horror stories about mold, most types of mold can be eliminated before it ever begins if you follow a few steps put out by insurance agencies.
- Dry Quickly
- Contact your insurance company to see if you are covered
- If you can, hire a contractor who can deal with drying out your home (make sure he or she is certified or training in water restoration)
- Speed is your friend and mold can produce very quickly so you have to be quicker (you have about 48 hours)
- Make sure everything is dry before you start to do any refinishing. This includes the crawl space, trim work and everything else you can and cannot see.
If you have more questions about what to do when it floods and other disasters, this is one of the best resources I have found. For many it is your car that has been water damaged and you will need to get a competent mechanic to go through the engine and electrical system as well as restoring the interior. All are a lot of work but necessary to protect you from health issues and other potential hidden dangers.
While there are still many things going on in the real estate business with the end of the tax credit, it all seems to pale in comparison to the other issues many in our communities are going through in the aftermath of this past weekend’s flood. I am personally thankful for the firefighters and rescue units in Bellevue who brought my daughter and son-in-law out of their sub-division by boat. We don’t realize how important these people are or how hard they work until we rely on them for our safety. They were also thrilled that they could bring their beloved dog in order for the family to stay intact.
I had other friends who battled water in their homes as well as damage to offices and buildings and am so thankful that no one I knew lost their life. For those who have lost loved ones, my heart goes out to you during this trying time. May God bless you and hold you close.
After looking at all the pictures and damage, it really is amazing that we have not had many more lost. Let us all take a moment to discover what is really important before we move on. I have to remind myself sometimes that I can replace stuff; I can’t replace the family and friends that make my life so rich and wonderful. To all of you; I love you and am so glad you are all safe after the storm.
