The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee - Flood Response | Track the Response

Janice Gordon pictured in March 2012, with a photo of her flooded home from May 2010

Like many of us in Nashville during the weekend of the flood, now nearly two years ago, Janice Gordon* watched the ongoing news coverage from the comfort of home, seeing water creep into homes, and a trailer float down the Interstate. It wasn’t until Sunday morning, May 2, 2010, that she had an inkling her neighborhood might soon face a similar fate to other pockets of the city being covered by rising water.

When she would normally be heading to church, a neighbor came by and they assessed the street together, realizing they were trapped on both sides by water. Then, from Janice’s upstairs front window, with a clear view of the General Jackson just behind the across-the-street neighbor, they watched as the boat rose higher and higher, lifting up with the steadily rising Cumberland River.

Janice shows a photo of her backyard from May 2010, during a 2011 visit while her home was being rebuilt

With the help of two grandsons, who were living with her at the time, they stored a few photos and a computer on the second floor and went out to try to escape from the street. Along with several neighbors, Janice was taken by a rescue boat to higher ground. She watched fearfully as her 6-foot-tall grandson held on to the side of the boat, water up to his neck, at one point dodging a snake that shot through the water. After making it to the foot of a nearby hill Janice recalls, “We were dirty, nasty, muddy, and then we could hear and smell gas coming from a house nearby.” The danger of the situation was all too real.

A little more than a year later, in 2011, Janice discussed with The Community Foundation her experience. In those early days after the water receded, she was able to stay with her daughter. In the months following, Janice tackled her rebuild with some limited insurance money, which didn’t go far after the contractor working on her home disappeared, leaving projects unfinished and no trace of contact information. After that, Janice just focused on what she could do, paying for one window at a time, trying to chip away at the work needed to get back home.

“I was just doing what I could, and it was so overwhelming.”

Rebuilding work at Janice's home in 2011

In late 2010, a neighbor connected her with Salvation Army, which led her to Westminster Presbyterian Church – both organizations were supporting a variety of needs of flood victims, with Community Foundation grant funding. While Janice felt at times like the ball got rolling slowly, she’s watched as these organizations, with the help of Community Foundation flood relief grant support, have helped her put walls back up, get flooring down, and step-by-step, get back to normal.

Janice joyfully moved home in time for Thanksgiving 2011, and The Community Foundation caught up with her recently, in early 2012.

She says during the rebuild process, pride led her to ask only for the very minimum. “I don’t have to have a stove or plumbing… just get me back home with some heat, and I’ll be fine,” she even ventured to say at points. Of course, Janice’s home rebuild was completed with plumbing and electricity.

“I’m so grateful, so appreciative of the help I’ve received,” Janice said. “These people have worked – and worked hard like it was their own home, and I can’t put into words what that means.”

Janice at home in 2012

Janice said, beyond just getting home, working with Westminster, her emotional needs were met too. “They were always assuring me they were going to be with me (throughout rebuild process),” she said.

“When I came home, I just walked through all the house and just prayed and thanked God, and sometimes I just cried. I was just floored.”

Through the dedication of The Community Foundation’s nonprofit flood relief grantees, including Westminster Presbyterian Church, Janice is back home, and hundreds of other homes of flood survivors have been repaired and rebuilt.

*The name in this story has not been changed.

Last May, after the flood did moderate damage to the home the Jefferson family was renting, the landlord promised the family of six their place would be repaired in three weeks. In mid-June 2010, the family went back to the house, only to find no reconstruction had taken place. The home was infested with mold, and the beams were buckling due to standing water. The Jeffersons got help when The Salvation Army, with a flood grant from The Community Foundation, assisted the family with a deposit and first month’s rent to move into a new home.

Kay Jenkins shares photos of some of the debris in her yard after flood waters receded last May

When Kay Jenkins* and her late husband, a land surveyor, moved into their newly-built home off Nolensville Pike in 1967, he mapped out the new surroundings. After scanning the backyard, which was carved out by the adjacent Sevenmile Creek, he told his wife, “You don’t have to worry…this land will never flood.”

Then on May 1, 2010, Kay, who lives with her daughter and granddaughter in the house, watched from a hill as water crept near her doorstep and splashed knee deep in the garage. Though most of the house escaped relatively undamaged, the same couldn’t be said for her HVAC, which didn’t run properly all summer and still wasn’t fixed as cooler temperatures were settling in with fall. Kay worried about what she would do with her daughter and granddaughter if she couldn’t keep the house warm; at the same time, there was still lingering flood damage below her house.

Through a Community Foundation flood grant to Hands On Nashville and with Rebuilding Together, Kay received a new HVAC unit and a vapor barrier in her once-damaged crawlspace. “I’m relieved to be back to normal.” Kay said. “I’m very grateful to everyone that has helped me.”

*The name in this story has not been changed.

In an effort to repair their flood-damaged home, the Glenns became financially strapped as much of their income was devoted to building materials and paying for labor. Through the Advocates for Upper Cumberland, the Macon County, Tenn., family received $282.18 for assistance with utilities. The helped provided by Advocates for the Upper Cumberland, made possible by a Community Foundation flood grant, gave the Glenns some financial breathing room as they finished up with repairs to their house.

Brenda Lanham*, a single mother, has lived in her Donelson area home for more than a decade. During the flood, five feet of water covered the first floor of her split-level home, as well as flooding the basement. Over the summer, she and her son lived without central heat and air, and standing water from the flood had damaged the sewer/ water line under the house, which needed attention badly.

Through a Community Foundation flood grant, Hands On Nashville and Rebuilding Together, were able to repair the sewer/water line, replace duct work in the crawlspace and replace the HVAC system’s exterior condenser unit, making Brenda’s home safe and livable.

*The name in this story has not been changed.

Due to extensive flood damage in their Nashville-area home, the Grant family allocated money as best they could but ended up four months behind on their mortgage payments. Facing foreclosure, the Grants received help from Brothers of Nashville, through a flood grant from The Community Foundation. Big Brothers paid for the entire arrearage, and the Grants are now independent and able to make their regular monthly payment.

Randy Gwynn’s Jackson County, Tenn. home was inundated with water from the May 2010 flood. Not only were his living room, bathroom and computer room destroyed, mold infested the house and duct work was completely destroyed. While the Red Cross assisted with tearing down and replacing dry-wall, the Advocates for Upper Cumberland, thanks to a flood grant from The Community Foundation, was able to make a $500 mortgage payment for Randy.

Mark’s house was in disarray after the flood, but he was able to start the rebuilding process soon after the waters receded. As the tasks around his house dwindled, so did his money to help fund the efforts, but he needed to complete some important work to finish the house. Luckily, the West Nashville Flood Recovery Network, a Community Foundation flood grantee organization, was able to hire an electrician and help purchase the materials needed for installation. With that major hurdle crossed, Mark finished up the last few jobs and is back in his house.

Vera Arnold*, the face of courage and kindess, is happily back on the front porch of the place she has called home for 60 years.

Vera spends most of her free time on the stoop of her Antioch home, exchanging waves to passing cars, and watching children play at the preschool across the street. But during the May 2010 flood, her daily routine was upended. As the creek behind her house quickly rose and worked its way inside, the urging of her children and neighbors finally convinced her to leave. With their support, Vera descended her front steps and floated to higher ground through the water overtaking the yard. The entire first floor, of the home where she raised her five children, was devastated.

Within days of the storm, the actual flood gave way to a flood of volunteers. With help from area churches and through a flood grant from The Community Foundation to Southeast Nashville Recovery, efforts were underway to restore Vera’s home.

On October 25, 2010, with the rebuild complete and donated furniture in place, Vera received a homecoming that would rival her own hospitality as a crowd congratulated her with rounds of applause.

“I couldn’t help but cry,” Vera said of her return home. “It was like a dream.”

*The name in this story has not been changed.

Earl had his plate full after the flood hit his Donelson apartment. Not only was his apartment inhabitable after the waters ruined it, Earl then gained full custody of his two grandchildren after a family situation. Living off only disability, he didn’t know where to turn. The Salvation Army, through a flood grant from Community Foundation, was able to pay a deposit and first month’s rent on a new North Nashville apartment for Earl. The place not only suited his needs but his new, bigger family. Salvation Army also provided gift cards for uniforms for the kids and for food – which he jokes was a big help because the grandkids are eating him out of his new place.

East Nashville area homeowner Keith Verge*, although very patient, has had a long year. He’s grateful for all the support he’s received since last May, including help through Salvation Army, and more recently, he got connected with rebuilding assistance. Through a Community Foundation flood grant to support a collaborative rebuilding initiative, Westminster Presbyterian Church has been helping Keith with home repairs and plans to put the finishing touches on his home this week. Keith says it’s been surreal seeing the house turned back into a home.

*The name in this story has not been changed.

During the May flood, waters rose to the skirt of Doug’s mobile home. The waters caused damage to the home’s insulation, which was the only unmet need after other repairs had been finished. Doug qualified for assistance, and Community Foundation flood grantee Conexion Americas purchased the item to complete the rebuild and help him get home.

Gilda, an independent 88-year-old, is back in her flood damaged home after months of repairs. The North Nashville Flood Relief Group, with a flood grant from The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, helped with the finishing touches as well as with the purchase and installation of a 40-gallon hot water heater and a living room sofa.

Erdal Sen* has had quite a journey since his move to America. Originally from Turkey, Erdal won the lottery to become a United States citizen and moved to Middle Tennessee in the late 90s. Soon after, he picked up a paint brush during the day and bagged groceries at night, working as much as 90 hours a week.

A year after coming stateside, he made the down payment on his house in the Donelson area. His wife moved over in 2003 from Turkey and they had their son, Semih Onvur, two years ago.

On the afternoon of May 2, 2010, after his shift at the Donelson Kroger as a night manager, Erdal’s sister alerted him to leave his house due to the flooding of the Cumberland River. He gathered his family, a few essentials and left an hour before the waters washed over his neighborhood.

Facing the loss of all their possessions and an uninhabitable home, Erdal was astonished at the amount of volunteers that marched into his community to help the weekend after the flood. But after the home was gutted, he and his family had to move in with his sister, who ended up housing 11 family members. Erdal had always kept his family safe and protected and didn’t know where to turn next to get them back in their home.

Last fall, Erdal got rebuilding help through a Community Foundation flood grantee and moved home in March 2011. He says he’s been overwhelmed by the community’s graciousness. “I love this area. People here help each other,” said Erdal.

More, In Erdal’s Words.

*The name in this story has not been changed.

Charles, a 70-year-old who cares for his disabled son, was back home after paying out of pocket for repair work to his flood-damaged house. While he’d been able to move home, Charles had ran out of funds and fell behind in paying his excessive utility bills. In the middle of winter, he was faced with the probability that his electricity would be cut off. Big Brothers of Nashville, through a flood grant from The Community Foundation, stepped up to pay Charles’ past due utility bill so he wouldn’t be without heat this January.

Shelby and her granddaughter, Erin, like many other Middle Tennesseans, struggled to cover the costs of rebuilding their home after the flood swept in. Shelby was only able to partially repair her Nashville area home using her savings and FEMA funds. Hands On Nashville, through a flood grant from The Community Foundation, was able to restore Shelby’s house. The organization installed new windows and doors, painted the first floor, installed new kitchen appliances and completed general finish work.

Along with the devastating effects on our community’s homes, the May 2010 flood caused damage to Tennessee’s waterways, leaving much debris behind that clogs waterways and poses a risk. Spearheaded by Nashville Mayor Karl Dean and the Cumberland River Compact, and with support from a Community Foundation flood grant, volunteers will scour selected Davidson County waterways to clean up debris still stuck on shore after the record rainfall last year. Debris removal is important to help reduce the risk of future flooding. During one recent volunteer day, the West Park cleanup along Richland Creek in February, Cumberland River Compact reports 63 volunteered their efforts and time to lend a hand to ongoing cleanup efforts.

Other local groups throughout Middle Tennessee are dedicated to cleaning up our environment after the flood, including Central Basin Resource Conservation and Development Council, Harpeth River Watershed Association, Hull-York Lakeland Resource Conservation and Development, and Southern Middle Tennessee Resource Conservation and Development Council.

As the water from a nearby creek inched towards his Bellevue condo last May, Josiah decided it was time to leave. His attempt to evacuate was interrupted when he narrowly escaped a mudslide, as his complex resides next to a large hill. Josiah’s car and condo were severely damaged by the catastrophes.

Though his condo was far from restored, he moved back in. The lack of repairs was so extensive, he resorted to washing dishes in the bathtub. He also suffers from anxiety attacks when it rains.

Josiah has surrounded himself with caring people, as his church, girlfriend and faith have supported him through the process. Through a Community Foundation flood grant to Rooftop, the nonprofit organization has helped with housing, bringing him a sense of normalcy.

Nancy Murphy* has lived in the Bellevue area since she was 8-years-old. She saw the community grow and raised her three kids there. Then the May flood devastated her home, where she lives with her son, a student at Middle Tennessee State University. Nancy showed her resilient side as she completed much of the repair work by herself while living in the second floor of her house. With help from Hands On Nashville (HON), through a Community Foundation flood relief grant, and organizations working in collaboration with HON, as well as Lowe’s Heroes volunteers, they were able to finish the house a day after Nancy’s birthday.

*The name in this story has not been changed.

Leon Bowman* recently stood on the back patio of his family’s West Hamilton Road home in North Nashville. After scanning the large amount of debris that took over this back yard the past year, he points to the creek that strayed away from the Cumberland River and passed 30 yards from his door step.

“We’ve lived here since April 1969, and the water never got halfway up the yard,” Leon said.

During the first weekend of May 2010, that changed. Leon and his wife, Ernestine, nervously watched the water creep up their yard as Saturday passed. Early the next day when the creek began to flood their home, the couple had to wade through knee deep water to get to their car which was parked up the street. Before the flood began to rescind that afternoon, the Bowman’s split level house was submerged five feet in the bottom two rooms and two feet in the rest of the house.

Since then, the Bowmans have made their “home” with relatives, at hotels and finally in an apartment they rented while repairs were being completed. The rebuild was quite a task as everything in the house was devastated – appliances, carpet and dry wall. The family had a steady stream of volunteers help with the demolition and, after the two paid for materials, they got even more help from nonprofit organizations over the year. Recently Westminster Presbyterian Church, through a Community Foundation grant from The River Fund, has been in their house, making the repairs needed to get them home.

Ken Carter, a carpenter and crew leader from the Presbyterian Disaster Relief Agency, was proud to be able to help the family. “They have been excellent to work for,” he said. “They’ve made us feel welcomed and greatly appreciate everything we’ve done.”

Though the stresses of the last year obviously have taken their toll, an emotional Ernestine was amazed at the communities outpouring of support as their home is nearly finished. “It’s overwhelming,” she said. “You turn on the news and just hear bad things happening. This just goes to show that the world isn’t full of bad people. I’m truly thankful and grateful for everything everyone has done.”

*The name in this story has not been changed.

The Norwoods carefully budgeted as they lived out of a hotel while their Nashville-area home was being rebuilt by contractors and volunteers. With the thought of returning home in sight – and before their money ran out – a contractor informed them that it would be an additional month until the rebuild was complete. Distraught, the Norwoods turned to Family and Children’s Services. Thanks to a grant from The Community Foundation, the nonprofit organization was able to pay for the remainder of their month-long hotel stay until they were back home.

The first time Killie Jones* returned to her Cheatham County home after the flood, she was in a fishing boat. The raging Cumberland River had busted out her bedroom window and forced out virtually all her possessions. The only thing Killie, a single mother of four, was able to retrieve were a few pairs of flip flops and a bag of pictures.

The weekend’s tragic events hadn’t been the only thing on her mind. Killie’s daughter, Brianna, suffers from Leukemia and is undergoing chemotherapy. Despite the life-altering setbacks from the flood, Killie and her family developed tunnel vision when it came to getting back in the house and taking care of Brianna. “With everything we’ve been through, I like to tease people that I’ve already scheduled my nervous breakdown,” Killie jokes.

Through a Community Foundation grant to Westminster Presbyterian Church, the family received help tearing down and getting supplies to rebuild, along with the support of volunteers from across the country. Thanks to this support, the Joneses got back in their house for Christmas 2010.

*The name in this story has not been changed.

Like many residents on Kimberly Drive in Nashville, Latoya suffered major flood damage to her home. When she began to tackle the rebuilding process, she was in a holding pattern since the majority of her tools were washed away. The Donelson Gateway Project, thanks to a grant from The Community Foundation, was able to give her a gift card to Home Depot so she could purchase storage boxes, work gloves and other construction items.

“I am so very sorry that the flood caused so much destruction, but with community efforts such as this, we will be able to replace and repair the things we had and took for granted, but realized how important they were after we lost them,” Latoya said.

Before the flood, Thia, a single mother of three, was able to meet her families’ financial demands each month with her full-time job. Due to the flood damaging her house, she faced the chance she’d have to take out loans to rebuild, placing her in unwanted debt. Jewish Family Service of Nashville, through a grant from The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, was able to give her financial assistance to cover the costs. In addition, both Thia and her children took advantage of the nonprofit’s free counseling sessions, which has helped them cope with the trauma of the floods.

Back in September 2010, with a house full of volunteers and after long days and weeks of working on his home, Nashville resident Don Bowden* was anxiously anticipating a finished rebuild. Four months earlier, in May, with water inside his home at chest level, it felt like this day may never come. With the help of a Community Foundation flood grant to Westminster Presbyterian Church, volunteers helped Don rebuild and get back home.

*The name in this story has not been changed.

Since the May Flood, Manny has been hard at work repairing his damaged mobile home in Antioch, Tenn. As he rebuilt the unit for his wife and two children, Conexion Americas, through a grant from The Community Foundation, was able to pay for the repairs to the home’s HVAC unit, helping Manny’s family return to a normal routine.

Despite all the heartache the May 2010 flood caused, Hermitage resident Reba Wintson wouldn’t change a thing.

“My husband and I have often said that we would not trade this experience, or go back in time, if we had the chance, even if it meant recovering all our losses,” Reba said. “Simply because we have witnessed first hand so much love from fellow Nashvillians. We love Donelson and Hermitage both, and hope to call this home for a long, long, and dry, time.”

The Winstons received a Home Depot gift card from the Donelson Gateway Project, through a Community Foundation grant. With the card, they purchased three doors, a toilet and paint for their flood damaged house.