The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee (CFMT) has revived the Metro Nashville Disaster Emergency Response Fund and Tennessee Emergency Response Fund to help those affected by Saturday’s heavy rains that flooded homes and roads, leaving at least seven people dead in the Nashville area.
Officials rescued dozens of people from houses, apartments and vehicles as Nashville received more than seven inches of rain, the second-highest two-day rainfall total ever recorded.
Major flooding was forecast on two rivers. The National Weather Service predicted the Harpeth River near Kingston Springs would crest about 20 feet (about 6.1 meters) above flood stage on Sunday night, while the Duck River at Centerville would crest about 17 feet (about 5.2 meters) above flood stage Monday morning.
“We’re not out of the woods yet,” Chief John Drake of the Nashville Police Department said during a news conference on Sunday. “We still have to pay attention to it.”
Gifts made to the Metro Nashville Disaster Emergency Response Fund will support Davidson County recovery efforts. Donations to the Tennessee Emergency Response Fund will provide help to those impacted in Middle Tennessee outside of Davidson County.
Grants from these funds will be made to nonprofits providing vital services both immediate and long term. CFMT’s work helps free nonprofits up to concentrate on delivering services while the organization ‘connects generosity with need’ and our community sets out to rebuild lives.
“We know when disasters strike, there are no quick fixes,” said Ellen Lehman, president of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. “We need to support the affected communities and the nonprofits on the ground helping victims and addressing their needs.”
To give to the Metro Nashville Emergency Response Fund or Tennessee Emergency Response Fund, go to <www.cfmt.org>.
Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) website Sunday reported that the State Emergency Operations Center has been activated to support local requests and gather impact and response information.
Middle Tennesseans outside Davidson County who need help with cleaning up following the storms and flooding can call the Crisis Cleanup hotline at 833-904-1085.
In Davidson County, the Nashville Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster are encouraging residents impacted by the flash flooding to visit <www.nashvilleresponds.com/assistance> or call the Crisis Helpline at 615-244-7444 to request assistance.
Many rivers and creeks were at or near their highest level since 2010, according to the National Weather Service. Floods in May 2010 caused 21 deaths in Tennessee and an estimated $1.5 billion in damage in Nashville.
Nashville Mayor John Cooper signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency Sunday, saying in a tweet that Davidson County would need state and federal resources after the severe weather, CNN reported.
