As I’m sure you are aware by now (especially if you’re in Tennessee) that we have experienced record levels of rainfall with subsequent flooding this past weekend. Unfortunately our internet connection has been down until now and this is the first opportunity I’ve had to post since Friday. Things could have been worse – much worse. I want to say before I start this post that we are very lucky. Our home is situated partway up a very large hill and our house is in very little danger of ever flooding. Let’s just say that if my house flooded TN would be in big trouble. That being said our yard can’t handle 8 inches of rain in two days – it drains – just not fast enough. The backyard became a mess. Our issues don’t even begin to compare to the issues those people further north and west of us had over the weekend. Nashville totaled over 13 inches of rain while other areas went higher. This was a record setting weekend for Tennessee and already we’ve set a record amount of rainfall for the month – on day 2!
People in Nashville and low lying areas all over Middle Tennessee have lost homes, businesses, pets, livestock, and in the worst of cases family. Historic landmarks and tourist attractions are underwater including the Opryland Hotel, LP Field (Titans Stadium), and many other locations. On the news we saw all manner of flooding. In one case a portable building floated into an 18 wheeler and disintegrated on Interstate 24. Cars floated across roads and landed into homes and I even saw a shed floating – in tact I might add – downstream. Government buildings, shopping centers, farms, and whole communities have been swallowed by the water. It’s still difficult getting around as roads are washed out or flooded, bridges aren’t stable, and even railroad tracks have buckled. Nashville is in water saving mode now because one of the two water treatment centers is underwater which has contaminated the drinking water from that plant. The one good thing is that it’s over and we have a dry week ahead to help evaporate some of this water.
I’m going to show you some pictures in this post of our garden and yard during the flood but please keep in mind that what we experienced in my yard was nothing compared to what others experienced. I would highly encourage you to find ways to help those who have lost their homes. I suspect food banks and various agencies would be the best places to start (The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee). Displaced families are in great need right now so if you can please help!
Our backyard issues aren’t necessarily because of the land itself but because of the drainage in our community. The drains from several streets are funneled into the low lying area in our adjoining neighbor’s backyard which then flows into a ditch in the very back of our property. The ditch directs the water to a lake that sits in the middle of our community and empties into various streams which eventually end up in the Duck River. The ditch in the back is nearly 6 feet deep but fills up from time to time with large amounts of rainfall. Never have I seen this much rain in such a short time. There was so much rain this weekend that the ditch could not contain all the water and the back of our yard began to hold a layer of water about 2-3 inches deep. It also meant that water flowed into my shed but fortunately my mowers sit up high and they were not effected.
The waters lifted mulch from various garden beds and nearly pulled out plants from the ground. I’ll be going through the yard soon and repairing what I can. I have a plan to prevent water from bothering the shed in the future but I don’t have time to get to it just yet. At least the garden shed drains very quickly when soaked!
Tomorrow I’ll have up a couple short videos I took of the flooding in action from our yard. After inspecting the damage I can say that it is very minimal for which I’m very thankful. Unfortunately others were not so lucky this weekend.
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I've been watching the news about the floods. So terrible. That is an enormous amount of rain in such a short period. I've been through this before and I can relate to how you feel. Prayers.
It's so sad to see Nashville under water. The devastation is unimaginable for the area. I grew up in Middle TN and while flash floods were expected from time to time, I would have never imagined something like this.
Another way to help Nashville is to text "Redcross" to 90999 to donate $10 to disaster relief. I hope Nashville is dry and back in action soon!
We are in Murfreesboro and have been very lucky as well. No flooding here, just the cattle pond full of water with over flow, and the backyard holding some water, but no more than it does in the winter months. Hubby and I sat here in horror on Saturday as we watched on television our fellow Tennesseans in trouble. Our prayers go out to those in need. This is a great post.
We've seen the flooding on news reports, too. Such devastation. I'm glad you largely escaped any major damage, Dave, and I hope that your (well-watered!) gardens recover with little harm. By the way, your shed looks wonderful in context with the rest of the yard! 🙂
It was hard to believe the amount of water that Nashville and other parts of Tennessee got. I feel so bad for people whose homes flooded. Glad your damage was minimal.
Your backyard is pretty bad Dave. I'm glad it did not reach the house. Skeeter's parent's home was flooded. What a mess everywhere. Who would've ever thought this could happen? So terrible but I'm hoping things get back to normal soon. Glad you're safe.
Dave, I am so sorry this is happening. We have had some pretty devasting 100 year rains, but I think mostly it resulted in flooded basements and some major mold damage. I have not seen any houses floating by or cars piling into homes. This is major!
I am glad that you came through this.
Eileen
Your back yard looks like a lake. Most important you & family are safe. All the garden things can be replaced if necessary.
I've never seen or heard of anything like this before. Growing up in Tn. we didn't have this kind of weather.
It is hard to imagine what flooding is like until you've been through it. What's happened in TN is similar to the flooding in Eastern NC after Hurricane Floyd in 1999. My heart goes out to all those affected.
After going through the Easter Flood in 2009 in North Florida, I know how you feel about your gardens being under water. It is hard to see all your new mulch wash away and the plants drowning. Even when the rain stops, it takes a while for the soil to get back to normal. But I'm thankful that you and your family are safe.
so sorry to see this. You are in my prayers.
I've been watching the news about the floods and I'm glad to hear that you didn't get any severe damage.
Oh no! We have had some freak floodings in the Montgomery, AL area last year where cars were floating up into multistory townhomes. I hope your home, family and gardens are all ok!
Just so sad when Mother Nature does this sort of thing…between the natural flooding and the un-natural oil spill……sigh. Prayers…
Seeing your photos shows more than enough flooding…but it's recoverable and drainage will occur thank God. I'm so sorry for all of the problems going on there. Thankfully YOU are ok but those poor people who have suffered and are suffering. My heart goes out to everyone in TN and we're keeping you in our thoughts & prayers. It is a cruel fact of nature that she isn't always pretty.
Dave, it's just tragic. I love Nashville and can't believe the photos except I've seen the same in Oklahoma before. I'm so sorry for everyone who is suffering. My house is also up the side of a hill which is a good thing. Glad you and your family are safe.~~Dee
Dave, it's just tragic. All those lives and homes lost. I'm glad you and your family is doing okay.~~Dee