Thursday, May 06, 2010

The Nashville Flood -The Disaster No One's Heard About

While news coverage of the Gulf oil spill and the Times Square bombing attempt has been extensive, few American are aware of what's been going on in Nashville.I found out yesterday.

As a result of more than 20 inches of rain last weekend, the Cumberland River exceeded ten feet over typical flood levels. As water poured into downtown Nashville when the river was unable to contain the water, the entire city was flooded.


Power outages still exist in many areas, many people are without homes, and there is currently no water service in the city.

Damage estimates at this point have already surpassed a billion dollars, and are likely to go higher. And there were a number of fatalities, some of them people who drowned in their cars while caught in traffic on the interstate.

The devastation is unimaginable:



For some reason the news media has totally ignored this story, and Obama and his signature baritone is nowhere to be found thus far...just like in Kentucky. Maybe it's because Nashville is perceived as the home of all that Redneck, Tea Party country Music. Maybe it's because there aren't any juicy stories of crime sprees or looting. Or maybe it's because there's no convenient and politically advantageous target to blame, like the Bush Administration or an oil company.

But for whatever reason, what's happened to Nashville has been ignored.

Today is National Prayer Day, and it would be quite appropriate to address prayers to the Almighty on behalf of the people of Nashville.

And for those of us that believe in mitzvahs and good works along with faith, here's a list of some charitable organizations who are trying to help on the ground:

First, there's the Middle Tennessee Red Cross.

There's also the Tennessee Emergency Relief Fund at www.CFMT.org online or 888-540-5200.

Also, for Country music fans in the area, WSMV-TV is doing a telethon this evening, May 6, featuring Vince Gill, Keith Urban, Alison Krauss, Naomi Judd, Darius Rucker, Phil Vassar, Steve Wariner, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Bo Bice and Lee Roy Parnell.

And here's a good list of other organizations helping out.

Let's not ignore what's happening to our fellow Americans in Nashville.

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1 comment:

louielouie said...

i suppose that ram has other crisis that he can't afford to waste, but this is one he can.
i suppose.