It is more difficult to find information about the outlying counties, which is always worrisome. One phenomenon of recent years has been the shrinkage and/or disappearance of the small-town local paper. At times like this, their absence is really felt.
In general, it appears the State of Tennessee and local authorities have responded well to a challenging situation, which confirms the wisdom of the idea that local control of recovery, as opposed to Federal control, works best. FEMA hasn't really swung into action yet. This is when the really stupid stuff will begin. It's what they do best.
OS's friends who were wiped out have checked in a couple of times. Indeed, almost everything was lost, but power and phones are now back on line. It has been moving to be contacted from friends from around the country and world with offers of help for this family. A photographer friend heads there in the morning to help document their losses, carrying the FEMA forms with her. These are proud people, totally unused to accepting help from anyone, anywhere. Here's hoping events of the past few days will help soften that attitude a bit.
It is a bad situation, and it could have been much worse.
This from the Army Corps of Engineers today:
[begin copy]
Release 10-29
For Immediate Release
May 4, 2010
NASHVILLE, TENN. — The decision to release water from Old Hickory Dam this weekend prevented an additional four feet in flood waters from reaching downtown Nashville, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced.
Water behind the dam in Old Hickory Lake reached a record elevation of 451.4 on Sunday afternoon, just seven inches short of the Corps losing control of the project due to the lake overtopping the dam.
“If we had allowed the lake go to 452 and overtop Old Hickory Dam, the loss of that dam would have added another four feet to the flood levels in downtown Nashville,” explained Lt. Col. Anthony Mitchell, Commander of the Nashville District.
“By making the decision to release water from Old Hickory Dam, our water managers saved the dam and prevented flood waters from reaching even higher,” he added.
“The perception is that flooding along the Cumberland River was made worse by releases from Corps dams,” stated Mitchell. “The truth is that Corps dams kept the flooding throughout the region from being much worse.”
[end copy]
Although by no means the only place in the world generosity is practiced, it is inspiring to see America at her best, as she mobilizes at times like this. If you are reading this from overseas, OS hopes that you will gain insight into who we are as you follow these stories.
Chin straps on, and keep an eye out for those around you in need.
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