The last several days have been frankly surreal here in the mid-South. For two straight days, the sound of the rain was nearly deafening. Water bubbled up from the seams of our 1940’s basement–the basement that the family from whom we bought the house 12 years ago said had never been wet. They had lived there for over fifty years, and what they said was–until this weekend–absolutely true.
Late Sunday afternoon, when the deluge subsided, neighbors emerged from their homes with stories. Some of us had stood and watched our peaceful creek devour the valley at the end of cul de sac. Little Geek saw the deep and rushing waters a few steps from our home and exclaimed, “Oh my, God!” Me: “Oh my gosh, honey.” Response: “No momma, only someone as powerful as God could do this. Oh my God.” The wisdom of children: I had to agree.
As the neighborhood regrouped under the overcast but now finally dry skies, the extent of the damage came clearer into view.
Two doors down, dogs were splashing in the 5 foot-deep swimming pool that used to be a basement. The irony: it is the home of the director of Nashville water services, a friend whom we have not seen for days now as he coordinates efforts to keep the city’s water supply intact.
While my own family emerged unscathed but humbled, thousands of others have lost their homes. Debris sits piled up in front of homes in seemingly every part of the state capital. And a musty, wet smell accompanies what you’re seeing in photos and the news. Nashville will recover, but the recovery is going to be long and hard.
All of this to say: help is desperately needed. Here are three great ways to lend a hand, if you feel inclined to do so:
Hands On Nashville is a volunteer coordination agency that I volunteer for and have long donated to. HON is working closely with the Mayor’s Office to provide immediate assistance and–even more importantly–to line up a corps of volunteers for the long weeks and months ahead. To donate, simply click here.
If you love books or are a writer seeking advice/input for agents and editors, check out the offerings. Lots of donated book swag donated by authors, editors, and agents. If you love books and want to make a difference, be sure to visit the site and bid! The organizers are well-respected Nashville authors. They have my thumbs up.
The Nashville flood certainly made history. This is not the type of history that I ever imagined I’d writing about on Wonders & Marvels, alas.
Do the Write Thing for Nashville: A Fundraiser hosted by writers, editors, and authors.