Flooding in Nashville
There are so many horrible disasters happening around the world lately, including extensive flooding in Nashville, Tennessee, the center of the country music recording industry. You may recall that my former executive assistant, Liesl Menning Haynie, moved to Nashville, where she lives with her husband, country music artist, Kevin Haynie and their adorable son, Luke. Naturally, I was concerned for them because their home is located quite near the Harpeth River and I was relieved to hear that they survived the flood.
Liesl explained that Kevin was on the road touring with Josh Turner and she was at home with Luke. The rain started on Saturday, May 1st, which was when she also lost power. The rain came down in torrents and when it stopped Sunday evening, more than thirteen inches had fallen. Liesl, who stayed indoors with the baby had no way of knowing about the rapidly rising river and was horrified by what she encountered outside.
Liesl, who now works as manager to multi platinum country music artist, Clay Walker, explained to him what happened in her neighborhood and he donated a generous sum and told her to buy food and supplies and stay home and help her neighbors. Liesl purchased items, such as latex gloves, goggles, buckets, brooms, mops, bleach, and bug spray, as well as food and beverage. Liesl, Luke, and Kevin, who returned on Monday, provided sustenance and moral support to their neighbors in need. Liesl also wanted me to mention that the Grand Ole Opry is still happening. All performances are taking place in the original, historic Opry House, the Ryman Auditorium. And, MusiCares helps those in the music community that are victims of the flood.
1 On Sunday, May 2nd, this is what it looked like one block from Liesl and Kevin's home.
2 The nearby Harpeth River flooded the community.
3 The interiors of the homes had to be stripped, removing anything that the flood waters got wet - drywall, insulation, etc.
4 With temperatures soaring above 90-degrees, this was hot and nasty work.
5 American pride amongst the destruction
6 Luke's baby carriage all loaded for breakfast
7 Luke's baby carriage all loaded up with lunch.
8 This young boy got busy and helped to pass out the Red Cross supplies.
9 Luke's baby carriage full of burgers and hot dogs
10 Ruined appliances still line the streets.
11 One more fortunate neighbor cleaned out closets and drawers and donated items of clothing.
12 Despite being damaged by the flood, this neighbor hung their flag proudly.
13 Liesl and Kevin recruited their friends to join them in their relief efforts.
14 Little Jude helped by pushing the food carriage.
15 Here is Kevin delivering an early morning breakfast.
16 Liesl and Luke making the food rounds again.
17 Liesl pausing to feed Luke, who took all of this in stride.
18 The neighbors so appreciated the steady flow of food and refreshments.
19 Luke became a goodwill ambassador and worked to cheer people up.
20 Luke on his 4th day of delivering - a real trooper!
21 The debris piles kept growing.
22 Heart breaking
23 Another neighbor set up a tool table.
24 The flood waters took a long time to subside.
25 Mountains of debris
26 Little Parker helped by delivering coffee and bagels.
27 Cleaning up after a flood is filthy work and hand sanitizer was appreciated.
28 The Red Cross delivered boxes of cleaning supplies.
29 The flood waters beginning to subside.
30 Saint Thomas Hospital was advising the public to get tetanus shots, which they provided for free.
31 Liesl and her troopers
32 Another meal delivered
33 At the end of the day, a cold beer was so refreshing for hot and exhausted adults.
34 In another part of Nashville, this is a view of the expanding Cumberland River, whose banks are actually quite far from here. The flooding was so extensive.
35 Residents of Bellevue Retirement Home needed to be rescued by boat.
36 The boat rescue team worked tirelessly.
37 Kevin's car was parked at the Opry lot. It can now be seen, but it had been completely submerged.
38 The Grand Ole Opry House on Monday, May 3rd.
39 The Grand Ole Opry Stage Door
That is so horrible for all those people. The fact that you have Blogged about this may bring in more help for them.
I have nephew who lives in Nashville, but he lives on higher ground and wasn't flooded, thank The Good Lord!!
Gloria!
Posted by: Gloria | May 12th, 2010 at 4:21 am
I am so gladd to hear that your god son is ok. In nashville things look a little grim! The thing about nashville and that part of the country is that ingenuity and hard work abound there! They will pull through and they will do it well! You just waite and see!
http://www.meandmartha.net
Dan Viger
Hollis Center, Maine.
Posted by: Daniel Viger | May 12th, 2010 at 5:45 am
WOW--many thanks to Kevin, Liesl, Luke and Clay Walker for being relief workers in their own backyard. That's what it looked like in my neck of the woods after IKE--we had lots of trees down, too. Your help was so appreciated. Best wishes for a speedy recovery, Nashville!
Posted by: Amy in Houston | May 12th, 2010 at 6:22 am
Sorry to see such ruins, but I am glad to know your Godson and family are okay.
Posted by: KLBrown | May 12th, 2010 at 7:18 am
I'm so glad that Liesl and her family survived the floods. She is the first person I thought of when I saw the news on TV but I assumed she and her family were okay because you would have said something earlier if they weren't. How wonderful of Clay Walker to donate food and supplies and for Liesl and her troopers to deliver it. Little Luke looked so cute with his hat on and his feet propped up in his stroller making the rounds.
~
I wish the best to the people of Nashville and now Oklahoma too. Sometimes the only thing we can do is keep them in our prayers so that’s what I’ll do. Thanks for this blog Martha. Trish
Posted by: Trish | May 12th, 2010 at 9:05 am
We here in New Orleans pray all of the people of Nashville will find the strength they will need to get through this. We know all to well what they are going through now and what they will be going through for YEARS to come as they try and not only re-build their lives but their communities and city. It will be hard work and a lot of patience to get through. You will see how strong your neighbors and the people of Nashville are and how caring people are. I pray that you will have the same great volunteers who have been here for 5 years show up for you because they are the ones that will get your lives back to normal again. Keep your faith strong and know that you will get through it.
Posted by: Beth | May 12th, 2010 at 9:18 am
It is just heartbreaking to see the devastation that has taken place in Nashville. But it makes me proud to be an American when I see what the people of Nashville are doing for one another. They truly are a shining example of what makes this country great. It's terribly unfortunate that this horrible natural disaster (and those who have been affected) is not getting the coverage it deserves from the national media. They need all the help they can get from ALL of America. Nashville, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Posted by: Dana Crespo | May 12th, 2010 at 9:28 am
Just back to Philadelphia from a week long writing assignment at BIO2010 held in Chicago. I did not have access to much television - long days of interviewing scientists, business people, and government leaders. It attracted over 15,000 attendees from over 60 countries. I have to say that we were aware of the two hits that the region took - the rains and the oil spill. I am releived to know that aid is getting there. Martha - The MSO family -- is full of really good people -- this entry to your blog is very touching. Thank you for sharing. During the same week, colleagues and friends from Boston lost drinking water for a week. Our country and its people are resilient and blessed with abundance. It is good to be reminded.
Posted by: Teresa Touey | May 12th, 2010 at 10:05 am
Martha, I'm watching you with Big Boi right now and I just love love LOVE your hippness to the rap world! You are the greatest!! I just love you soooo much! Go girl go!
Posted by: KLBrown | May 12th, 2010 at 11:05 am
Thanks to you and everyone that has been so supportive of all that has happened here in the Nashville area. We live in Franklin and our home is one block away from families that lost so much. Just like in so many times of adversity the spirit of love, compassion and generosity prevail. Nashville has been blessed with help from locals and outsiders alike. - Kyle
Posted by: Kyle Dreier | May 12th, 2010 at 11:27 am
Thank you Martha for posting this on your blog!!! Nashville greatly appreciates it! I live less than two miles from down town Nashville, and believe me, the devastation is heartbreaking... thank you again!
Posted by: Christina Stubblefield | May 12th, 2010 at 11:45 am
How very heartbreaking and devastating for so many people. But how heartwarming of Leisl to rally the troops and provide some basic needs. How cute to be able to deliver items in Luke's stroller.
Posted by: sherey | May 12th, 2010 at 11:56 am
I just can't take seeing this. It's unfortunate when the weather causes such loss. Martha, why not lend a hand and do something like, "Flooded with Kindness"..We can dry the streets, dry the tears and instead flood the area with kindness, and get people new appliances, and things they have lost and need to get back on track.
Posted by: Mitchell Schuller | May 12th, 2010 at 12:23 pm
Thank you for posting about this, Martha! The flood brought about a lot of devastation to the area and it has been mostly ignored by major media. So many people have no clue about what has taken place here!
Nashville has amazing spirit even through this crisis. It's a joy to live here and witness the hope and optimism from people who have lost so much.
Posted by: Melissa S. | May 12th, 2010 at 12:24 pm
Thank you for this perspective of the flood situation in Nashville. And also...thank you, Martha, for all the time, energy and effort that you put into your blog. You cover many broad-ranging subjects and have a sensitivity for human-interest stories. I read your blog everyday! thank you, again for this most excellent blog!
Posted by: maggie chaney | May 12th, 2010 at 12:46 pm
I have been truly impressed with the outward giving and support that is inherent in the people of Nashville. Unlike other cities that have had natural disasters, Nashvillians have conducted themselves in an excellent manner during and after the flooding. People weren't looting and robbing each other in large numbers. I've only heard of one instance and the police QUICKLY put a stop to it. I love Nashville! I think our city and state has done an excellent job in this situation. Emergency management has definitely worked well, of course there are probably some things that need to be improved.
Posted by: Brett | May 12th, 2010 at 12:47 pm
Martha sorry to see such ruins, glad to know Leisl,Kevin and baby Luke are okay. I hope everybody is okay.
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | May 12th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
Thank you so much for letting more people know about this Martha! Nashville is struggling but pulling together as one to try and help fix our very wet city. We appreciate all the love and support!
Posted by: Cheryl Patterson | May 12th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
so sad
Posted by: alia | May 12th, 2010 at 2:32 pm
Thank you for posting about this and letting more people know about it.
Posted by: Nancy | May 12th, 2010 at 3:37 pm
Lots of love to the City Of Nashville. A wonderful city full of outstanding people.
I read on the Loveless Cafe web site that Carol Fay passed away last month. Carol was on the Martha Show, she was know as the biscuit Lady.
RIP Carol
Posted by: David | May 12th, 2010 at 3:46 pm
A sweet hello from Frog Hollow Farm. Disasters like this just don't seem real until you've actually experienced them. What wonderful people Leisl and Kevin are!
Posted by: Frog Hollow Farm Girl | May 12th, 2010 at 4:57 pm
Another amazing example of the fact that Mother Nature is still in charge. Regardless of what we build and love, it can be gone in an instant. At that point, you find out what's really important in life. It's the people not the stuff.
Posted by: Ellen | May 12th, 2010 at 5:36 pm
Glad to hear Liesl, Kevin, Luke & Clay Walker all ok, so proud of them and their pitching in to help neighbors and those in need after the flooding. There are good people sometimes we forget that when we see so much on TV and hear so much about the bad people and bad things going on. It warms the heart to know folks there are helping each other and giving in comfort as well as in food, drink and hard working hands to help with the clean up.
My family lives in Kingsport and also 40 miles east of Nashville they received tons of rain too.
Thank you for showing us what is going on there, I have seen little on our news here in CA. about it.
Pam from California
Posted by: Pam From California | May 12th, 2010 at 6:36 pm
Martha - I am so glad that you posted this information. I knew that things in Nashville were bad, but this really brings home how much damage was done. I remember seeing your ex-assistant on your show when she was pregnant. What a cute little boy! I am glad your friends made it through, and were able to help so much. I am reminded anew about how important it is to donate to the Red Cross. Thanks for all of your blogs!
Posted by: mary barber | May 12th, 2010 at 7:01 pm
Thanks for bringing this front & center. We need the attention of the national media to get increase donations to the red cross & united way. I wanted to share this video of our great city. WE ARE NASHVILLE & We'll be back.....Nashville is rising..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFjaQoOdJvI
Posted by: julie boney | May 12th, 2010 at 9:28 pm
Martha,
As a lifelong resident of Nashville and a loyal follower of your blog, thank you for bringing attention to the devastation that Nashville sustained in the flooding almost 2 weeks ago.
The entire city has been affected by 14 inches of rain in 48 hours - all residents, in all parts of town, were either flooded, had a close friend or relative flooded, business or place of work flooded, church flooded, school flooded, etc.....Many did not have flood insurance b/c there was need living in a 500 year flood plain, or no flood plain at all.....
Nashvillians have pulled together unlike any city in a similar disaster.....FEMA has commented that they have never encountered neighbors and strangers helping each other the way Nashvillians have been.....Just 1 1/2 weeks after the flood, many have their homes demolished down to the studs, ready to dry out and begin rebuilding - a pretty amazing accomplishment often done with the help of strangers......
I love my city and my fellow Nashvillians
Laurie
Nashville, TN
Posted by: Laurie | May 12th, 2010 at 10:00 pm
Read your interview in NYT. You handled yourself admirably. What makes people like your interviewer so antagonistic? I like the way you handled the SEC trouble as well.
Onward,
Bill Drissel
Grand Prairie, TX
Posted by: Bill Drissel | May 12th, 2010 at 10:28 pm
Hi Martha, Leisl certainly did a great job of photographing the area in Nashville during the horrible flood in that area. It's so wonderful to know that she and her family are OK and they didn't loose any property. How thoughtful of them to be helping others who had terrible losses. Leisl is a super person, but you already know that. Can't wait to see her on your show next fall on the Hallmark Channel. Enjoyed listening to you on Sirius Radio again today. I'm sure you will have a marvelous time in Malaysia. Can't wait for your next blogs and tweets about your latest trip. Love, Jan PS Loved your episode on The Today show today. Those tarts look delicious! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | May 12th, 2010 at 11:00 pm
Thank you so much for these pictures and the report on your former assistant and her family. I,too, wondered how they faired during the flood. Your blog is second to none: you inform, educate, and keep us all aware of important issues. I find I cannot be happy until I get my Martha update for the day. Thanks again for all you do.
Posted by: Lee | May 13th, 2010 at 5:10 am
I am so sorry for the flood damage. I hope residents had flood insurance. With such a long cold snowy winter.. the snow had to melt and go some where okay it was rain but there is such a thing as a Water Cycle evaporation precipitation and if you live near a river and there has been new "development".... why is land left alone to absorb the rain and percolate down to the water table below why is it always in need to be "developed" it seems it DEVELOPS problems when you build/overbuild --- that neighborhood has a high density level if you ask me and that soil is no doubt rock and clay to some amount not sandy soil for quick drainage Please Are some of your readers surprised to see the neighborhood is --well ,the houses are on top of one another!! in apparently a low lying area and do people check maps and see if any area is in a FLOOD Plain?? Honestly, we as home buyers, we need consider these things. Just because a builder was approved well maybe there was a typo something was overlooked in the planning maybe someone typed two many zeros like on wall street or listen they don't care politicians people that sell farm land for a fast buck..... the internet can be a forum to discuss grave matters not just say oh that is a pretty picture
Posted by: kathleen | May 13th, 2010 at 6:56 am
As a lover of all things country, and especially
the great music from Nashville, this saddens us all in Dakota, too. Thank you for supporting many Americans from all walks of life in times of need. Have you heard Celeste Krenz sing that great song she wrote about DAKOTA WIND.
Posted by: ann | May 13th, 2010 at 9:22 am
Another disaster so tragic and devastating you have to wonder how a man that has already endured so many personal tragedies finds the strength & courage to just jump right in and start helping his neighbors, community, & so many others who were affected by this disaster? Clay Walker; so giving, genuine, caring, & selfless. A man that has endured many tragic events back to back then diagnosed with MS? However he continues to be at the forefront when it comes to helping others. He recognizes his God given talent and is thankful because it allows him the opportunity to help others through his music. He gives so much of himself along with everything else and yet he is not getting the acknowledgement he deserves. I know and can relate to this entire situation from both sides unfortunately. However, if it weren't for the "Clay Walkers" in this world where would we be?? Really? Few & far between are those that are as caring & concerned for others as he is. I think he is an absolute God send! Love Him Dearly! His strength & motivation stem from helping others and seeing them through difficult times such as these. Although hes doing extremely well, it is hard to suffer from MS & continually do as he is and continues to do.
I would just like to ask that you keep him in mind when you say your prayers. He's so deserving of some type of special award in an effort to let him know how appreciative we are for all that he has done. I Thank & hope that you will share my sentiments. Tabitha D. Albitre
Posted by: Tabitha albitte | May 13th, 2010 at 9:26 am
Thank you for putting Nashville on your blog. There is much devastation here and we need lots of support and prayers.
Posted by: Suzy | May 13th, 2010 at 10:32 am
Martha, thanks for putting Nashville on your blog! I was actually volunteering in Liesl's neighborhood last week. It's very sad--and that's only one neighborhood. There are many, many more that are just as bad, and sometimes worse. Nashville really appreciates your prayers and support!
But please know, NASHVILLE IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS. We are down, but not out. Downtown is still hopping and there are still a ton of great restaurants, bars, shopping areas & museums that were not affected. Perhaps you could get out of the tourist traps and see how the locals live.
Come see us!
Posted by: Jennifer | May 13th, 2010 at 3:36 pm
Thank you so much for writing about this. The extent of the devastation is overwhelming for many of us here, but the volunteer response has been equally overwhelming in its rapidity and generosity. As Jennifer said, the city still has lots to offer and needs visitors now more than ever.
Posted by: nashgirl82 | May 13th, 2010 at 6:38 pm
Thank you for blogging about this Martha! My house is the red brick home on the right corner. What a terrible flood, but what an amazing community we live in! I never couldve imagined the outpouring of love, support, and immeasurable generosity we would receive. Thank you to Leisel and our other friends and neighbors who gave so seflessly of their time and energy. We love you all!
Posted by: Kristen | May 13th, 2010 at 9:36 pm
Martha,
Thank you for covering the Nashville flood in your blog. Many residents here feel forgotten in the wake of other world events occurring at the same time. I'm a nurse at Centennial Medical Center, and several of my co-workers were displaced by the flood. Thanks again for thinking of us!
Posted by: Bethany | May 14th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
.
Good to see you taking note of the philanthropy.
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Posted by: Andrea Spencer | May 17th, 2010 at 12:13 pm
that is absolutely heartbreaking. You don't really understand what is going on until you see the photos.
Posted by: Melissa Cordstone | May 18th, 2010 at 3:54 pm