In light of the terrible flooding that has occurred, and is still occurring, in this beloved city of Nashville, several people are starting to say “it’s about time the national media is covering this.” Or, “Finally. Nashville is now officially declared to be in ‘a state of emergency.’”
Blah blah blah.
Here’s what’s not exciting: flood water. Everywhere.
Here’s what is exciting: the people of Nashville.
Before we watched the video of the house on I-24; before I witnessed cars literally float down West End; and certainly before Nashville was in a “state of emergency,” Nashvillians were in their neighbors’ and friends’ basements with water pumps and buckets fighting the rising water. I stood knee-deep in freezing rain water for the majority of Saturday doing just that.
But so did everybody!
Once the rivers, ponds and lakes started running over, hundreds of volunteers were making and stacking sandbags to prevent further damage. Organizations such as Hands On Nashville were flooded (insert tacky pun here) with phone calls to the point where their lines weren’t accessible. Volunteers were actually being turned away, encouraged to provide their talents elsewhere within the city.
Shelters were opened immediately and churches began using their kitchens to make thousands of meals. I’ve seen this firsthand. And I’m sure that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
And it continues.
National Guard, thank you for the birds in the sky, and the boats on the water. Your efforts have aided greatly. NPD and NFD, you were all over this town.
But to the Nashville everyday-man: thank you for reminding me once again why I call this city home.
To those who live outside the Nashville metropolitan area, we appreciate your thoughts, prayers, and Twitter hashtags. But I only think it fair to inform you that media coverage does little justice. I’m sure it’s the same with Katrina, bomb scares, and oil spills.
So label it what you will. Give it an official title and then file it away under “Things to Get to Soon.” Meanwhile, we’ll continue to prove to our Nashville friends, neighbors, and strangers alike that they are not in this alone.
Because here’s the thing. You can flood the Grand Ole Opry. But you can’t stop the music.
We are, indeed, Nashville.
