Undoubtedly, you’ve heard about the unreal amounts of rain that affected Middle Tennessee. One- and Two-day rain totals were broken as well as the record for the month of May. In only two days, we had a higher rain total than in any previous month of May. This has resulted in catastrophic flooding throughout the greater Nashville area.
One of the hardest hit areas is downtown Nashville. Last night the Cumberland River overflowed into our city. The last report received state the River at 49 ft, which is 9 ft above flood levels. It is now reaching 2nd avenue. One area that was greatly effected, but isn’t getting much attention, is Tent City, Nashville’s largest homeless community. They were evacuated yesterday, but they were unable to take most of their belongings with them. Primarily left behind were their tents, sleeping bags, tarps, and camp stoves, etc. In response to this, we are organizing a drive to collect these items to help them stay warm and dry and rebuild once the river recedes.
If you have a sleeping bag, tent, tarp, camp stove, pillows, or any other camping gear in good condition that you don’t really use, would you donate it? Or would you buy some to donate? Or simply donate money or a gift card, so that new tents and sleeping bags can be bought and distributed? We have set up drop-off points throughout the Middle Tennessee area. If you cannot get your donation to one of these locations, please contact me so we can have someone come and get it. Any monetary donations can be sent to Fellowship Bible Church(address below) with the memo line “Nashville Flood” and we will purchase tents/sleeping bags for you. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via email: brian@senecal.us or phone/text: 615-428-8989.
If your church is willing to serve as a drop off point please contact me and I will add you to the list below.
More then anything, please be praying for everyone affected by this flood. Many in Nashville have lost everything or close to it. Thank you so much for your help and prayers!! The city of Nashville will rebuild!
Stay tuned here for updates.
Brian Senecal
Drop-off points:
- Fellowship Bible Church – 6360 Franklin Road, Murfreesboro, TN (615) 893-6652 Contact: Chad Vinson
- Hendersonville First Methodist Church — 217 East Main St, Hendersonville, TN (615) 824-8725 Contact: Gavin Richardson
- Otter Creek Church of Christ — 409 Franklin Road, Brentwood, TN (615) 373-1782 Contact: Doug Sanders
- Hermitage UMC — 205 Belinda Dr, Hermitage, TN (615) 883-3918 Contact: Chris Seifert
- more locations coming
Edited to add locations 5/3/2010, 3:15pm