1. For my children. While Kassidy and Kameron are aware of what is happening in our city, and those cities surrounding us, Kennedy, Keeghan and Kellsey are blissfully unaware of what is going on. And I'm glad. But years from now people are going to be talking about the Flood of May 2010. And I want them to remember.
2. For my extended friends and family who don't live here. First, know that we are ok... but many are not. What? You mean you haven't seen it on the news?! Shocker. The fact is, our city is underwater. Homes and businesses are lost. People have died. And that's just here in Clarksville. Nashville is worse. Where is the media? *sigh*
3. I'm blogging to brag on our community. I love Clarksville. We have lived here for six years, but in some ways I feel like I've lived here forever. Before we moved here, a tornado hit and wiped out downtown. I hear people talk about it all the time. I hear them talk about how the town rallied. How they rebuilt and how they were there for those families that needed help. And I have always thought, "Wow... that must have been an amazing sight to see."
And now, here I am, witnessing a natural disaster that I truly never thought possible in Middle Tennessee (call me naive if you must). And before the last raindrop fell, I saw my community, my church, my friends, my town... rally. I am watching them love and work and support and check on one another and reach out. I have seen friends who are stuck in their OWN homes offer to help other people stuck in their homes. They are making sure that no one is homeless, no one is hungry. They are offering dry vacs and fans and their time and their homes and they are donating clothes and whatever else they have to give to help people they don't even know. And it's an amazing sight to see.
For those of you who don't live in Clarksville (or Middle Tennessee) and may not really grasp what's going on here, let me share some photos with you. I did not take any of these and will try to give credit where credit is due. I am thankful for the photographers who have captured these images. From my front window everything looks normal, but less than 10 minutes away devastation has hit hard. Schools are still out... not sure when they'll be back in... it will be months before many businesses are up and running again. But as a community, we will get there. We'll pull together and we'll be stronger than ever. God is here. I have seen Him in the faces of my friends and of strangers. Please pray for the people of Middle Tennessee as we rebuild.
Photos by: Lisa Agnew
Dunlop Road
Dunbar Cave and Idaho Springs
House in Clarksville somewhere... 
Clarksville Academy... (private school in town)
Guy kayaking in front of Hooters... 
Another guy NOT needing a car from Gary Mathews...
More from Interstate 24
Interstate 24
Interstate 24
Mary's Music on Riverside DrivePhotos by: Adam Susong
Dunbar Cave Road 
Dunbar Cave RoadPhotos by: Connie Shiveley
Where Riverside changes into Kraft Street
Regions Bank on Riverside
McDonald's... car still in drive-thru
Car under water at Hardware City
Shoney'sPhotos by: Mike Cheatham
Riverside and Hickory GrovePhotos by: Paula Williams
Swan Lake Golf Course
Madison Street
Coy Lacey Park... Kennedy has a field trip here in a couple weeks... we'll see...
Arial shot of the Riverside Drive Area... not sure who took this, but it's one of my favorites... really shows the seriousness of what's going on here.This is Clarksville. This is my home. Let's rally.
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42 comments:
Where IS the media? I grew up about 45 minutes from Nashville. I now live in Texas, but all my family still lives in Middle TN. I'm so glad you took the time from your blogging hiatus and let your readers know what is going on Clarksville, Nashville, and the like. Hugs, prayers, and wishes for a strong recovery of the communities damaged.
How devastating. I love Clarksville so much. I lived there forever but recently moved. It is a great city and I hope they can get it all up and running. Everyone at Grace will definitely help out though. Oh how I miss that churuch. Praying for everyone that was effected by the flood.
Glad you checked in, i had been wondering how you were doing with all the rain.
Wow!!! I had no idea! Nothing much on the news here in CA except for the flooded football field in Nashville. Thought that was isolated. again....WOW!
Thanks for posting the photos! We have relatives living in Clarksville, near Madison, and it's really worse than we thought it was.
The rain is insane! My in laws live in Camden and Waverly and the rain is causing havoc! My husband's niece's house was flooded and she lost almost everything!
Like other PP's said, there isn't much in the news. I only knew because of the family!
I did just hear something on the news. Nothing big though. Not top news like I'm sure it is there. Glad you are all safe. I keep looking at the pictures you are posting and thinking a year ago we were going to be moving there. Just a year ago we were there on those streets that are now flooded. Pretty scary stuff.
seriously? where is the media? I heard about some flooding but had no idea. Glad you posted. Hope you and your family are doing well and the well deserved break is helping.
I saw something about this on another blog. Praying for your whole community.
So horrible! I'm so sorry!
Praying right now!
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
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wow Renee I looked at the pics and i am so sorry this is awful myprayers are with you all... Ive had a lot goin on in my life too please go read my blog and leave me some love
So glad to hear you are all OK, believe me I have been wondering. I have seen it on the news some. Enough to be worried! I always get the feeling you live in a great community and I know you will all pull together and get through this!
I'm so glad you guys are all OK. Having never been to Clarksville, but spending some time in Nashville last summer, I have to say Tennessee has grown to be one of my favorite places. I hope you all can recover from this as quickly as possible with as little damage as possible. Those pictures are amazing and shocking at the same time. Keeping all of Middle Tennessee in my thoughts and prayers.
I spent two semesters at Austin Peay and these photos break my heart. Clarksville, Nashville, Murfressboro... They will always hold a special place in my heart. My prayers remain with all of those in Middle Tennessee.
Renee, I'm in RI and we just had the worst flood in 100 years!! Looking at those photos, well I could be looking at RI. I95, was shut down houses flooded the mall gone ... indefinitely!
Glad to hear you are OK!!!
We lost everything we had downstairs, like our bedrooms! HA!!
Praying for you and your neighbors in Clarksville!
I know exactly how you feel!
I grew up along the banks of the Delaware River and when I was six years old it flooded its banks. I still remember standing on my grandparents' front porch and watching the wall of water surge up one of the main avenues in town. We lost so much, being a block and a half from the river. Five years ago, my sister's and parent's house were hit again. It's devastating, but there are so many moments of brotherhood, compassion, and perseverance...when the years pass and you look back, that's what you'll remember. People helping people. And it'll still choke you up...
Sending love from NY...
I live in such a news-free zone usually, I didn't even know there had been any rain issues or flooding til last night... I'm that pathetic. But I saw the pics of the Cascades at the Opryland Hotel and about fainted. One of my FAVORITE places. Can't believe it. So sorry that this is happening and so many are affected. Amazing what can happen not too far from here and yet I live oblivious. Clarksville will rally again, I'm sure. I remember the tornado and it was amazing to watch and hear of the awesome community spirit!
I too am upset of the lack of media attention to this SERIOUS situation. I know there is an oil spill and a terrorist bombing, but this is ultimately Tennessee's (and also some parts of Kentucky's) Katrina. People need to be aware! Thanks for posting.
as I have mentioned before I am a fellow Tennessee I grew up south of Murfressboro and Nashville. This is awful. Makes me very sad to see the loss.. I love Nashville... and Tennessee I have traveled the roads that are flooded. I have Family and friends in the Nashville area. Praying for all the Tennesseans right now this will take some time to recover from.
Carol Whitehead,.. always a Tennessean.. but live in Missouri
Wow Renee, I've been following online (I try not to watch the news), but it seems so much more real when someone you know is actually experiencing it! I will pray, it seems to be all I can do!
Just coming back to say - what can we do to help? Maybe I can check with the Red Cross. Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you or your community from afar!
Holy cow! I had not even heard about this, only heard that a friend's house was flooded, but not that it was this bad. Glad you are ok, but praying for the rest of your town!
got to love the media dont you?
My prayers are with all of those effected, I know that pictures cannot do justice, when hurrice Katrina hit here several year ago you could see devistating pictures and just know they were really ten times worse than they looked.
Stay safe and know you are in our thoughts and prayers
So glad to hear you all are okay. I had heard a little bit about Nashville, but did not know how widespread the flooding was. I cannot believe the pictures from I-24. I lived in Huntsville, AL and have a friend in the Nashville area, so I have driven that road before. It is so heartwarming to hear how your community has come together. You all will be in my prayers. Take care.
Renee, so glad all of you are safe. As to the media, I don't watch our local news (So. Cal) but TN has been all over FOX News since the beginning of the flodding. Just minutes ago they gave another update.
Cheryl
Praying for you!!!!
I have been thinking about you and how you were doing. Everytime we drive through Clarksville I think about you and your family and mostly I wish that I had asked you for the name of a good place to stop for lunch. It sure is a nice town. I looked carefully at the pictures of the flooding. On Sunday my son was in one of those big rigs trying to drive from Alabama to Chicago through Tennessee. He was stopped and spent the night in a Wal Mart parking lot but managed to get through the next day. He said the flooding was unimaginable and felt so bad for everyone. I feel the same. Hope things dry out soon and that needed help gets there. My husband and I will drive through this summer and I hope it is back to the same beautiful place.
Sophie
Wow!!! I can't believe we haven't heard about this! Keep us posted..we are praying!!!
Hi Renee, we are from RI and we unfortunately know what you all are going through. I too live only 10 mins away from the awful devestation of the floods of March 2010. Our mall pics look just like yours...schools closed for a week in most cities in the entire state. We will pray for all those in Clarksville and all those touched by these awful floods. We are SO grateful we didn't get water in my house.....but my parents lower level was destroyed. So much loss, very sad. We will pray for strength for your community.
Oh.my.goodness! Yes, this is devastation! Keeping you guys and your neighbors in our thoughts & prayers.
My heart aches for all involved in this devastition. I will some prayers.
Thanks for sharing- it's a great spot to show my in-laws all the damage. So heartbreaking. I do love Tennessee. :(
I'm a news-a-holic and have heard nothing of this!! So sad! We'll keep you all in our prayers!
Always here praying
John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
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I've been watching all this on FB... WOW!!
Those pictures are great in showing the devastation. Glad that your family is OK though.
This is heartbreaking. I pray for all those who have lost family, homes, or possessions during this disaster.
Wow, amazing devastation!!
Thanks for sharing...praying for you all!
You're always in my thoughts and prayers!
Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
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Glad the waters are receeding now, but help will be needed in the long recovery period. I hope Tennessee gets it. My hearts and prayers go out to the people of your great state. My mother and daughter have been to Nashville and were just sick when they heard the news. God bless.
Praying!
Ephesians 3:14-19 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
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So sorry to hear about this disaster. I was on a break from all media and missed the news of this. We had the same thing happen in our town in 1999 from Hurrican Floyd. It was a sad time for everyone. Prayers for all those involved~
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