Middle Tennessee suffers massive flooding

1. 60

   tobey100posted 13 years ago

   Just want to give a quick up date.  You may or may not know that Nashville Tennessee and the 40 county middle Tennessee area has suffered a massive flood.  Thousands of people no longer have a home and many no longer have a job.  My three brother-in-laws and I with a few friends have decided to do what we can to help.  We all suffered some flood damage ourselves but nothing like what we've seen as we pitch in.  As of Monday we've distributed approximately 4,000 bottles of water and almost 3 tons of non-perishable food to families in our rural area north of Nashville at our own expense and with some donations.  We have a paypal account set up (t_beck@live.com) and have been soliciting $1 donation.  No more than that.  We've receive donations from just about every state in 3 days which is amazing.  We even got a dollar from a little girl in Alaska.  Kinda brings a tear to your eye when you realize other people do care. 
   
   We are purchasing bottled water from Georgia for a discount price as water seems to be the greatest need now.  Only one treatment plant for the entire Nashville area is in operation and its down to 37% as of last night.  Thousands have no electricity or running water with no end in sight.  I was upset when the ground floor of my house flooded until I met people this week whose houses were gone.  Literally gone!  Puts things in perspective.  We are going to continue our adhoc recovery compaign for the next 2 weeks.  By then I hope the state and federal agencies will have taken over completely.  Currently our state agencies aren't much help as they were damaged as well.

   replyreport
   1. 60

      K Partinposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      My heart goes out to all these people suffering from these massive floods. I think it's time we divert the money from Haiti to our own now! Where is all the support for these people? Where is the telethons for these people? What countries are coming to our aide? We've had many, many disasters here and I've seen none of this. And we can include the people of Mississippi who were devastated by the tornadoes recently. It's time we really start taking care of our own.
      
      Can you believe that some of OUR people living in Louisiana are still homeless or waiting for some kind of aid from Katrina disaster?? This is totally unacceptable!
      
      We are so quick to come to the aide of other countries, but drag our feet taking care of our own....shame on us.

      replyreport
      1. 60

         tobey100posted 13 years agoin reply to this

         We're asking the same thing here.  Yesterday Obama did declare 4 counties eligible for federal disaster relief.  What about the other 36 counties???  Also, the most you can get with a loan (LOAN) from FEMA is $30,000.  I'm not even applying even though my damages will run alot higher.  I figure the money should go to those that don't even have a home to repair.  I have a place to live and can make repairs on down the line somewhere.  We've got too many people need help now!  There's a factory just 8 miles from me that employs almost the entire Scottsboro community making hot water heaters.  That factory is gone.  1,100 people have no homes and now no job.  It's hard to think we're helping with just water and food.  Heartbreaking.

         replyreport
2. 85

   rebekahELLEposted 13 years ago

   very sad. good for you for getting in there and helping. so many people in need. it could happen anywhere to any of us.

   replyreport
3. 82

   Rafiniposted 13 years ago

   tobey, it's wonderful that you are in a position to be able to help.  The state of Tennessee is lucky to have you as a resident.

   replyreport
   1. 60

      tobey100posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I don't know about that.  We just felt like we had to do something.  It's either help or sit down and cry.

      replyreport
4. 60

   theirishobserver.posted 13 years ago

   sorry yo hear about the flooding we had loads her ein Ireland ove rthe winter - devastating to people

   replyreport
5. 63

   Daniel Carterposted 13 years ago

   I've been wondering how you were doing in all this nightmare, tobey. I have several friends in and around Nashville, and I'm sure they are dramatically affected. I'll spread the word about the dollar donations. Sending all the best, my friend. God speed!

   replyreport
   1. 60

      tobey100posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks DC.  I know alot of folks are leary about making donations.  that's why we're only accepting $1 max.  We figured anyone can afford to lose a dollar and for $1 we can get 4 bottles of water which goes along ways now.  I was upset about my ground floor until I went out last night with a local high school teacher to help look over the damage to his house and his house was gone.  Pictures on the news don't even come close.  Thanks again

      replyreport
6. 93

   habeeposted 13 years ago

   Kudos, Tobey!

   replyreport
   1. 60

      tobey100posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks habee!

      replyreport
7. 63

   Daniel Carterposted 13 years ago

   There are a couple of options to help in this situation that come to mind:
   1. Write a hub, tobey about the devastation with some pics, and make sure you put in the donation info and paypal account info. I'll bet you can get a lot of traffic and support.
   
   2. Update your profile and blogspot and include similar info there.
   
   People like me, other hubbers, readers, etc, can link your hub, profile, or blog and post on other social media accounts like facebook, twitter, etc., and hopefully it will help bring in some significant donations. If you get a lot, you can always set up a fund of some kind to make it more universally helpful.
   
   Thoughts?

   replyreport
   1. 60

      tobey100posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Outstanding idea.  Will do!  Many thanks

      replyreport
   2. 67

      Ms Chievousposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Good idea Daniel!  Tobey.. write it and we link it, blog or post it!

      replyreport
      1. 60

         tobey100posted 13 years agoin reply to this

         I had started on a hub dealing with the flood but hadn't finished.  I knocked it out rather quickly but I think it gets the point across.  I figure if we kept it just a dollar folks wouldn't worry so much about being scammed.  I included pictures and a link to another hub I was putting together that's all picture.  Folks don't absolutely need to give their name, address or email, I just thought they might like to hear from someone they helped.  The hub:  http://hubpages.com/hub/Devastating-Flo … -Tennessee

         replyreport