Just as a reminder, news coverage found here:
WSMV
WTVF
WKRN
Official news found here
Tennessee Emergency Management Agency
City of Nashville
OS's observations are anecdotal, not official.
This afternoon's delivery of a guest to the airport was uneventful, with the most dangerous bits being the drivers who just had to slam on their brakes to rubberneck at the flooded subdivisions and fields. The rest of us, approaching at 70mph, were less than amused. Traffic heavy at spots, but overall lighter than usual.
All interstates in Tennessee are now open.
The evidence of flooding was dramatic, to be certain, and cleanup will be long and expensive. Nashville is still on water restrictions, and one of the sewage treatment plants is offline as well.
The Corps of Engineers has opened the sluice gates at the Old Hickory and Cheatham Dams, to prevent them being topped by the rising waters. The Cumberland is cresting at 52.5 feet in downtown Nashville.
Anecdotally, a family member traveling city streets on the west side reports the road beds that had been covered in water were deteriorated in places.
The weather is now glorious, clear and warm. Good for drying things out...like the carpets that await attention.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Monday, May 3, 2010
The Great Middle Tennessee Flood: May 3 2010 Morning Updates 3
A quick note, before breaking off to deal with soaked flooring in the living room:
I-40 from Dickson area eastbound to Nashville now appears passable, as a B&B guest reported they were able to drive out of into Nashville from the west, and out via I-65 north toward Louisville.
The sun is shining, and clear weather expected until Friday.
I-40 from Dickson area eastbound to Nashville now appears passable, as a B&B guest reported they were able to drive out of into Nashville from the west, and out via I-65 north toward Louisville.
The sun is shining, and clear weather expected until Friday.
The Great Middle Tennessee Flood: May 3 2010 Morning Updates 2
For readers in Tennessee:
I-40 from west Nashville to the Tennessee River is closed. Attempting to get the bits closer to Nashville open, but no definite word.
State Highway 100 at the Hickman/Perry County line is closed.
Highway 7, which runs from Hickman County down to Columbia, has suffered damage a few miles north of Columbia. A two-foot drop-off has occurred in the roadway, and the road breakage has not been marked.
Evacuation is occurring around the Opryland Hotel area. The complex has suffered some real damage. The flood walls strengthened in the early 1970's, in response to the flood that overran Opryland as it was about to open its doors for the first time, evidently were unable to withstand some fifteen inches of rain in a short period.
I-40 from west Nashville to the Tennessee River is closed. Attempting to get the bits closer to Nashville open, but no definite word.
State Highway 100 at the Hickman/Perry County line is closed.
Highway 7, which runs from Hickman County down to Columbia, has suffered damage a few miles north of Columbia. A two-foot drop-off has occurred in the roadway, and the road breakage has not been marked.
Evacuation is occurring around the Opryland Hotel area. The complex has suffered some real damage. The flood walls strengthened in the early 1970's, in response to the flood that overran Opryland as it was about to open its doors for the first time, evidently were unable to withstand some fifteen inches of rain in a short period.
The Great Middle Tennessee Flood: May 3 2010 Morning Updates
This is not official or authoritative: merely anecdotal information being passed along.
Nashville Red Cross can be found here.
They have lists of shelters, etc. If you can possibly help, they need cash donations to support the operation. Every bit helps.
This is what OS knows, in summary--not authoritative words, only anecdotal.
Downtown Nashville is flooding as the Cumberland River rises. Mayor Dean has requested that no one who works downtown report for work--one would assume that certain crucial persons would be expected to report in (you know who you are)--as there is flood control and cleanup to undertake.
One of the major water treatment plants of Nashville is inundated, and the request has been made to limit water usage to essentials only--drinking/cooking/maintenance of life usage. The water supply is safe, but reduced.
One major Nashville Electric Service facility on the west side of Nashville has been inundated. Power is being restored, but it will take time.
The Bellevue community, on the west side of town, has been hit badly by flooding from the Harpeth River. I-40 from Bellevue to exit 143 is closed. At this writing, Tennessee Dept of Transportation shows all routes into Nashville from the west as flooded.
Franklin/Williamson County, south of Nashville, has been hit hard by flooding. The Harpeth River traverses much of the county and rose rapidly.
Cheatham County/Ashland City is inundated. The flood crest of the Cumberland River, downstream from Nashville, yet to be reached. It appears River Road between west Nashville and Ashland City has flooded at points.
Clarksville, TN/Montgomery County has experienced major flooding along the main route that parallels the Cumberland River. This is downstream of Ashland City.
On the north side of Nashville, Opryland Hotel was evacuated last night, and the entire complex has been flooded. The evacuation was orderly, well-coordinated, as the guests were removed to McGavock High School, with no injuries.
Perry County, to our west, was very hard-hit. Close friends checked in this morning, having lost literally everything, and grateful to be alive. Their next door neighbor's wife was drowned. There are many old-order Mennonite and Amish living in the valleys of Perry County, along the creeks and the Buffalo River. Many refuse to use TV and radio, so it remains to be seen how they fared. Our friends were in their boat, checking on their old-order neighbors.
In Dickson, our friend who run the B&B were overrun, and report no hotel rooms last night for about 100 miles. The Red Cross set up a shelter at Walnut Street Church of Christ.
No word yet from Humphreys County, but the county is home to the junction of the Buffalo, Duck and Tennessee Rivers, with many creeks feeding in. It can't be good.
The main east/west rail line was damaged on the west side of Bellevue.
The good news in all this is that all the moving parts of the State of Tennessee, City of Nashville, County Sherriffs, EMS, National Guard, Red Cross, etc. seem to be working smoothly. No panic, no Katrina-style scenes, no outbreaks of criminal activity. Volunteers are showing up with food at the shelters, launching their fishing boats to aid their neighbors. Churches have opened their doors, and friends and families are checking up on one another.
Local TV has done a good job, not whipping up hysteria, and not sticking mics in the faces of devastated survivors and asking them 'How does it feel?'
Nashville Red Cross can be found here.
They have lists of shelters, etc. If you can possibly help, they need cash donations to support the operation. Every bit helps.
This is what OS knows, in summary--not authoritative words, only anecdotal.
Downtown Nashville is flooding as the Cumberland River rises. Mayor Dean has requested that no one who works downtown report for work--one would assume that certain crucial persons would be expected to report in (you know who you are)--as there is flood control and cleanup to undertake.
One of the major water treatment plants of Nashville is inundated, and the request has been made to limit water usage to essentials only--drinking/cooking/maintenance of life usage. The water supply is safe, but reduced.
One major Nashville Electric Service facility on the west side of Nashville has been inundated. Power is being restored, but it will take time.
The Bellevue community, on the west side of town, has been hit badly by flooding from the Harpeth River. I-40 from Bellevue to exit 143 is closed. At this writing, Tennessee Dept of Transportation shows all routes into Nashville from the west as flooded.
Franklin/Williamson County, south of Nashville, has been hit hard by flooding. The Harpeth River traverses much of the county and rose rapidly.
Cheatham County/Ashland City is inundated. The flood crest of the Cumberland River, downstream from Nashville, yet to be reached. It appears River Road between west Nashville and Ashland City has flooded at points.
Clarksville, TN/Montgomery County has experienced major flooding along the main route that parallels the Cumberland River. This is downstream of Ashland City.
On the north side of Nashville, Opryland Hotel was evacuated last night, and the entire complex has been flooded. The evacuation was orderly, well-coordinated, as the guests were removed to McGavock High School, with no injuries.
Perry County, to our west, was very hard-hit. Close friends checked in this morning, having lost literally everything, and grateful to be alive. Their next door neighbor's wife was drowned. There are many old-order Mennonite and Amish living in the valleys of Perry County, along the creeks and the Buffalo River. Many refuse to use TV and radio, so it remains to be seen how they fared. Our friends were in their boat, checking on their old-order neighbors.
In Dickson, our friend who run the B&B were overrun, and report no hotel rooms last night for about 100 miles. The Red Cross set up a shelter at Walnut Street Church of Christ.
No word yet from Humphreys County, but the county is home to the junction of the Buffalo, Duck and Tennessee Rivers, with many creeks feeding in. It can't be good.
The main east/west rail line was damaged on the west side of Bellevue.
The good news in all this is that all the moving parts of the State of Tennessee, City of Nashville, County Sherriffs, EMS, National Guard, Red Cross, etc. seem to be working smoothly. No panic, no Katrina-style scenes, no outbreaks of criminal activity. Volunteers are showing up with food at the shelters, launching their fishing boats to aid their neighbors. Churches have opened their doors, and friends and families are checking up on one another.
Local TV has done a good job, not whipping up hysteria, and not sticking mics in the faces of devastated survivors and asking them 'How does it feel?'
Sunday, May 2, 2010
The Great Middle Tennessee Flood: May 2, 2010--updates and thoughts
1. Many rescues occurring, many performed by sport fisherman with their johnboats and outboard motors. They speak in that peculiar 'Tennessee mumble', uncomfortable about being in front of anyone's camera, 'just out helpin' the neighbors makin'sure everbodyz allright I'm blessed 'cuz my house is still ok This old boy here lost his house but he come on out to help the neighbors anyway Gotta go, jest found out somebody else is trapped down thar..'
(These are the people the elites despise.)
2. Governor Bredesen answered questions from the headquarters of Tennessee Emergency Management Agency. Totally focused on providing information and working on solutions, and completely self-effacing. He is one of the most 'uncharismatic' public servants one will ever encounter, and refreshingly so. Competence trumps adrenaline every time. No teleprompter needed.
3. Emergency responders are doing an heroic job, but the task is overwhelming. Please, friends and neighbors: If you're reading this from Tennessee, and safe and dry, stay home! Sight-seers are the last thing needed on the roads. Just because the good old boys in the fishing boats are willing to fish you out doesn't mean they owe you a rescue. Avoid a tragedy. Stay home.
4. It's going to take a long time to clean this up. Patience and good humor will be essential in the weeks to come.
Stay home, stay dry, stay alive.
(These are the people the elites despise.)
2. Governor Bredesen answered questions from the headquarters of Tennessee Emergency Management Agency. Totally focused on providing information and working on solutions, and completely self-effacing. He is one of the most 'uncharismatic' public servants one will ever encounter, and refreshingly so. Competence trumps adrenaline every time. No teleprompter needed.
3. Emergency responders are doing an heroic job, but the task is overwhelming. Please, friends and neighbors: If you're reading this from Tennessee, and safe and dry, stay home! Sight-seers are the last thing needed on the roads. Just because the good old boys in the fishing boats are willing to fish you out doesn't mean they owe you a rescue. Avoid a tragedy. Stay home.
4. It's going to take a long time to clean this up. Patience and good humor will be essential in the weeks to come.
Stay home, stay dry, stay alive.
A Book To Acquire: Last Exit To Utopia
The rain continues to pour, so there actually a bit of time to read today--first time in over a week.
From the Acton Institute, an entertaining book review of John-Francois Revel's
Last Exit To Utopia
Revel can certainly write:
We had long been accustomed to the disasters of socialism, since it had never managed to produce anything but disasters anywhere. What had now become obvious was that it could not produce anything else. A liberating truth had emerged: Marxism had suffered from defective DNA all along.
Somebody, please, ring up the White House, and share the news with them...
From the Acton Institute, an entertaining book review of John-Francois Revel's
Last Exit To Utopia
Revel can certainly write:
We had long been accustomed to the disasters of socialism, since it had never managed to produce anything but disasters anywhere. What had now become obvious was that it could not produce anything else. A liberating truth had emerged: Marxism had suffered from defective DNA all along.
Somebody, please, ring up the White House, and share the news with them...
The Great Middle Tennessee Flood: May 2 2010
Word may be making the rounds outside of the area by now.
Middle Tennessee has been hit with well over a foot of rain since the morning of May 2. The area is overwhelmed, as the ground was already saturated from rains a week earlier.
This part of the world has been the subject of constant and expert flood control and drainage engineering since the 1930's, resulting in a sophisticated system of dams, locks, hydro, river channels, levee, drainage ditches, storm sewers, etc. Nothing could have been engineered to withstand what has occurred here.
Vanderbilt Children's Hospital has cancelled all elective surgeries tomorrow, as the basement and lobby are flooded. This is a fabulous facility, the best of everything, erected within the last ten years, if memory serves. Vanderbilt University is not a part of Nashville prone to flooding, miles away from any creek, and no expense is ever spared on the physical plant of the place. Given what is happening there, the situation in other parts of this area, intersected by its numerous creeks and small rivers, is grave. Looting has just been reported at the Farmer's Market downtown.
Interstate highways are overwhelmed at several locations, passable only by boat. Normally high-and-dry roads and neighborhoods are underwater, under a lot of water. There are three routes into Nashville from the west, and all three are now impassible.
The storms are still coming, stretching back well into Mississippi, with a cold front stalled to the northwest, and copious amounts of warm air pushing up from the south.
Power is still on here, but it is unknown how long it will remain with us in our little county.
For further viewing, and to follow progress, the websites of the local network affiliates:
WSMV
WTVF
WKRN
Tennessee Emergency Management Agency
A recent slideshow from one of the affiliates.
Red Cross donation site. Hundreds, if not thousands, have lost literally everything.
Middle Tennessee has been hit with well over a foot of rain since the morning of May 2. The area is overwhelmed, as the ground was already saturated from rains a week earlier.
This part of the world has been the subject of constant and expert flood control and drainage engineering since the 1930's, resulting in a sophisticated system of dams, locks, hydro, river channels, levee, drainage ditches, storm sewers, etc. Nothing could have been engineered to withstand what has occurred here.
Vanderbilt Children's Hospital has cancelled all elective surgeries tomorrow, as the basement and lobby are flooded. This is a fabulous facility, the best of everything, erected within the last ten years, if memory serves. Vanderbilt University is not a part of Nashville prone to flooding, miles away from any creek, and no expense is ever spared on the physical plant of the place. Given what is happening there, the situation in other parts of this area, intersected by its numerous creeks and small rivers, is grave. Looting has just been reported at the Farmer's Market downtown.
Interstate highways are overwhelmed at several locations, passable only by boat. Normally high-and-dry roads and neighborhoods are underwater, under a lot of water. There are three routes into Nashville from the west, and all three are now impassible.
The storms are still coming, stretching back well into Mississippi, with a cold front stalled to the northwest, and copious amounts of warm air pushing up from the south.
Power is still on here, but it is unknown how long it will remain with us in our little county.
For further viewing, and to follow progress, the websites of the local network affiliates:
WSMV
WTVF
WKRN
Tennessee Emergency Management Agency
A recent slideshow from one of the affiliates.
Red Cross donation site. Hundreds, if not thousands, have lost literally everything.
Tick-Tock: Greece Bailout Announced
Via NPR: European Union, Greece Devise Bailout
We've heard this a few times before, haven't we?
The devil is, of course, in the details.
They have a deal if:
1. The German Parliament approves Germany's role. (Damn! That old 'rule-of-law-follow-the-Constitution' thing just impedes progress...)
2. The Greek government can actually survive the imposition of the austerity measures demanded. Deficit is now 13.6% of GDP, and they've promised to cut it to 3% by 2014. (Ever tried to reduce your expenditures by a factor of 4? Ever tried to impose that on anyone else?)
3. If today's meeting in Brussels approves it, or if another meeting of the Great and Good will be required.
They have to get all this done by May 19.
Tick.
Tock.
We've heard this a few times before, haven't we?
The devil is, of course, in the details.
They have a deal if:
1. The German Parliament approves Germany's role. (Damn! That old 'rule-of-law-follow-the-Constitution' thing just impedes progress...)
2. The Greek government can actually survive the imposition of the austerity measures demanded. Deficit is now 13.6% of GDP, and they've promised to cut it to 3% by 2014. (Ever tried to reduce your expenditures by a factor of 4? Ever tried to impose that on anyone else?)
3. If today's meeting in Brussels approves it, or if another meeting of the Great and Good will be required.
They have to get all this done by May 19.
Tick.
Tock.
One Reason The Greek Government Is Broke
There's a lot of wealth in Greece, and very little tax collection. With some outrageous percentage of the workforce on the government payroll, that creates a real 'doughnut hole', both culturally and fiscally.
Instead of dealing with the real problems, like governmental corruption and trade unions, the government chose to live on borrowed money. The wealthy (and/or productive) parts of the society turned toward an underground economy life. One can only assume a great deal of wealth has been off-shored, to a stable place like Switzerland, where the government is prohibited from living beyond its means.
From the New York Times:
Various studies have concluded that Greece’s shadow economy represented 20 to 30 percent of its gross domestic product. Friedrich Schneider, the chairman of the economics department at Johannes Kepler University of Linz, studies Europe’s shadow economies; he said that Greece’s was at 25 percent last year and estimated that it would rise to 25.2 percent in 2010. For comparison, the United States’ was put at 7.8 percent.
Hmmmm....the 7.8% figure seems low, from observation of life in these parts.
The entire article is an interesting read, demonstrating how the economy expresses the virtues and vices of the underlying culture.
Instead of dealing with the real problems, like governmental corruption and trade unions, the government chose to live on borrowed money. The wealthy (and/or productive) parts of the society turned toward an underground economy life. One can only assume a great deal of wealth has been off-shored, to a stable place like Switzerland, where the government is prohibited from living beyond its means.
From the New York Times:
Various studies have concluded that Greece’s shadow economy represented 20 to 30 percent of its gross domestic product. Friedrich Schneider, the chairman of the economics department at Johannes Kepler University of Linz, studies Europe’s shadow economies; he said that Greece’s was at 25 percent last year and estimated that it would rise to 25.2 percent in 2010. For comparison, the United States’ was put at 7.8 percent.
Hmmmm....the 7.8% figure seems low, from observation of life in these parts.
The entire article is an interesting read, demonstrating how the economy expresses the virtues and vices of the underlying culture.
The Arizona Illegal Immigration Bill: Read It For Yourself
Here's a reasonable idea to help you sort out fact from fiction in the chaos that has erupted over Arizona's decision to deal with illegal immigration, which the Federal government has refused to do.
Read the bill.
This links you to the Arizona Secretary of State site. Halfway down the list, you'll see the link to CH_113. Click it, and the pdf of the bill as passed and signed will download to you.
Read the bill, and think it over for yourself. Unlike the incomprehensible verbiage we are treated to by bills passed in Congress, this is written in clear English, carefully avoiding nuance. The Arizona legislature, unlike Congress, knew the content and intent of the bill, as a responsible legislative body does. This may explain the rage directed at them by the left side of Congress, born of humiliation.
OS has gone through it once, plans to do it a few more times. At no point does it authorize any agent of law enforcement to detain any person just because they are brown of skin. Furthermore, Governor Brewer signed amendments to clarify the bill's intent. No authorization of mass deportations. No authorization of inhumane treatment of persons detained. No double-talk. Very little 'legal-ese'.
Basic, understandable English.
Read the bill, and decide for yourself.
But, as a starter, here's just the first bit of it--plain English, no spin here:
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
Section 1. Intent
The legislature finds that there is a compelling interest in the cooperative enforcement of federal immigration laws throughout all of Arizona. The legislature declares that the intent of this act is to make attrition through enforcement the public policy of all state and local government agencies in Arizona. The provisions of this act are intended to work together to discourage and deter the unlawful entry and presence of aliens and economic activity by persons unlawfully present in the United States.
Could it be, at the end of the day, that the real objection by Our Beloved Leader and the Left is to the intent of the bill: '...to discourage and deter the unlawful entry and presence of aliens and economic activity by persons unlawfully present in the United States.'?
At the end of the day, neither Obama, nor Bush the Second, nor Clinton, nor Bush the First embrace(d) the idea of enforcing our borders. The assertion that immigration enforcement is a Federal prerogative is simply a means of avoiding responsibility, not embracing it.
This whole mess is not about race. It is about the Constitution and the rule of law. The Federal government has despised both the Constitution and the rule of law, and now has a grassfire on its hands.
The only sense of surprise felt here is that it took so long to get started.
Chin-straps on. Watch for other legislatures to pass similar measures.
It is unfortunate that it has come to this, and there is definitely a human side to this story. Were OS of Hispanic heritage, he would be certain to always carry his driving license, just to be certain. He might even avoid Arizona for a while, just to be doubly certain, while things settle down.
But, give the bill three to five years to work, and it won't be an issue, 'cuz the problem will be greatly alleviated. If enough states follow suit, the solution will arrive more quickly.
Final story: A few years back, Mr. and Mrs. OS spent a fabulous vacation in Canada.
When we arrived at the border in our car, we waited in line, presented passports and title to the car. We were questioned by firm-but-friendly border control officers about where we were traveling, what we were transporting, and when we planned to return home. When changing money, every teller in every bank followed the same script: 'Passport please. When did you arrive? Where are you visiting? When do you plan to depart?' Polite, but firm.
And it was all perfectly fine, 'cuz it's their country, and we were guests visiting there.
We had a wonderful visit, and we came home, where we belong. Where we work, and live, and hold our citizenship. Our country.
'Nuff said?
Read the bill.
This links you to the Arizona Secretary of State site. Halfway down the list, you'll see the link to CH_113. Click it, and the pdf of the bill as passed and signed will download to you.
Read the bill, and think it over for yourself. Unlike the incomprehensible verbiage we are treated to by bills passed in Congress, this is written in clear English, carefully avoiding nuance. The Arizona legislature, unlike Congress, knew the content and intent of the bill, as a responsible legislative body does. This may explain the rage directed at them by the left side of Congress, born of humiliation.
OS has gone through it once, plans to do it a few more times. At no point does it authorize any agent of law enforcement to detain any person just because they are brown of skin. Furthermore, Governor Brewer signed amendments to clarify the bill's intent. No authorization of mass deportations. No authorization of inhumane treatment of persons detained. No double-talk. Very little 'legal-ese'.
Basic, understandable English.
Read the bill, and decide for yourself.
But, as a starter, here's just the first bit of it--plain English, no spin here:
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
Section 1. Intent
The legislature finds that there is a compelling interest in the cooperative enforcement of federal immigration laws throughout all of Arizona. The legislature declares that the intent of this act is to make attrition through enforcement the public policy of all state and local government agencies in Arizona. The provisions of this act are intended to work together to discourage and deter the unlawful entry and presence of aliens and economic activity by persons unlawfully present in the United States.
Could it be, at the end of the day, that the real objection by Our Beloved Leader and the Left is to the intent of the bill: '...to discourage and deter the unlawful entry and presence of aliens and economic activity by persons unlawfully present in the United States.'?
At the end of the day, neither Obama, nor Bush the Second, nor Clinton, nor Bush the First embrace(d) the idea of enforcing our borders. The assertion that immigration enforcement is a Federal prerogative is simply a means of avoiding responsibility, not embracing it.
This whole mess is not about race. It is about the Constitution and the rule of law. The Federal government has despised both the Constitution and the rule of law, and now has a grassfire on its hands.
The only sense of surprise felt here is that it took so long to get started.
Chin-straps on. Watch for other legislatures to pass similar measures.
It is unfortunate that it has come to this, and there is definitely a human side to this story. Were OS of Hispanic heritage, he would be certain to always carry his driving license, just to be certain. He might even avoid Arizona for a while, just to be doubly certain, while things settle down.
But, give the bill three to five years to work, and it won't be an issue, 'cuz the problem will be greatly alleviated. If enough states follow suit, the solution will arrive more quickly.
Final story: A few years back, Mr. and Mrs. OS spent a fabulous vacation in Canada.
When we arrived at the border in our car, we waited in line, presented passports and title to the car. We were questioned by firm-but-friendly border control officers about where we were traveling, what we were transporting, and when we planned to return home. When changing money, every teller in every bank followed the same script: 'Passport please. When did you arrive? Where are you visiting? When do you plan to depart?' Polite, but firm.
And it was all perfectly fine, 'cuz it's their country, and we were guests visiting there.
We had a wonderful visit, and we came home, where we belong. Where we work, and live, and hold our citizenship. Our country.
'Nuff said?
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