5/11/2010 Updates from Vivian. Also save the date of May 22 for our 7th Annual Great American Clean-up. More information to come! Stay tuned.
MAYOR DEAN EXTENDS STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR DAVIDSON COUNTY
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Mayor Dean has signed another Executive Order to extend the current State of Emergency. State law limits a State of Emergency declaration to seven days but authorizes the Mayor to extend the order by seven day increments as needed. Due to last week’s unprecedented rain event that resulted in widespread flooding, emergency actions by government agencies are still necessary in order to safeguard the citizens of Davidson County.
CURRENT DAMAGE ASSESSMENT
Metro has identified over $1.56 billion in property damage throughout Davidson County and the assessments are still ongoing. Approximately 99 percent of the property assessments are complete and damage has been identified on nearly 96-hundred (9,651) parcels. Follow-up inspections to inaccessible parcels and self-reported areas have begun.
The damage figures include only building damage and not personal property or infrastructure damage. It doesn’t include damage to areas such as greenway trails and facilities. The value of damaged public buildings and building contents is not included.
GREENWAYS TEMPORARILY CLOSED
For safety reasons, Metro Parks closed the Greenways system pending a safety assessment after last week's historic flooding. Some greenways sustained significant damage to bridges, boardwalks and barriers. Some sections of trail are impassable, and Metro Parks has deemed it in the best interest and safety of users to close the trails system until further notice.
Damage assessments are underway and estimates should be completed in the next couple of days. In the meantime, individuals should refrain from using the Greenways until they are re-opened and please don't attempt to circumvent gates or other barriers.
FLOOD-RELATED FATALITIES INCREASES TO TEN
The body of a 53-year-old man, who was known to camp in a wooded gulch in the 1100 block of Elm Hill Pike, was recovered this morning. Friends reported they had not seen him in several days and began looking for him in the area. During heavy rains, the gulch regularly and quickly fills with flood waters. His name is being withheld pending notification of family.
The other flood-related fatalities were previously identified as: Billy Rutledge, 70, Mary Rutledge, 65, Graybar Lane; Mary Jane McCormack, 86, of Sawyer Brown Road; Robert Woods, 74, W. Hamilton Avenue; Joshua Lanotroop, 21, of Valley Way; Andrew J. England, 78, and Martha England, 80, 908 Delray Drive; and Joseph Formosa, 88, and Bessie Formosa, 78, of Sawyer Brown Road.
SEARCH FOR MISSING PERSONS
Two men remain missing. Danny Tomlinson, 39, was last seen Saturday, May 1, at 11:30 p.m. inside a car on Newsom Station Road that was overcome by flood waters. Daniel Brown, 18, was last seen on Sunday, May 2, at 6:30 p.m. when he and two other men tied floatation devices together to go tubing on Mill Creek. The makeshift raft struck a bridge and was dragged under water. The other two men made it ashore.
Recovery efforts will continue today following a week-long search for the two missing men from two of the areas that were affected by the floods. Representatives from the Nashville Fire Department, Metro Police, Urban Search and Rescue Team (USAR), and several volunteer groups have assisted in combing the areas by foot, boat and air since Sunday.
Metro will continue to coordinate the responders in both locations.
METRO WATER SERVICES UPDATE
Metro Water Services customers can do essential loads of laundry and dishes but we ask that water not be used in excess. Laundry mats and nurseries have been allowed to resume water use for necessary operating purposes. The effect of this water use on our reservoirs will be assessed and a decision will be made regarding the continuation of water conservation efforts as we move forward. However, customers must remain vigilant about continued conservation.
As a courtesy to those who need water for cleaning and watering plants while water is in short supply, non-potable water is being made available at West End Summit - 1600 West End. This water supply should be used for activities including nursery plant watering, sidewalk and street cleaning, and neighborhood cleanup. Those picking up water must provide their own tanks intended for transporting non-potable water and pumps. This non-potable source is not for filling milk jugs, pitchers, or other small containers. The site will be open Monday - Friday from 9 am. until 3 p.m. or until the supply is depleted. Entrance to the site will be allowed off of West End or 16th Avenue. Metro Water Services and the property owners assume no liability.
Assessment and repair at the K.R. Harrington Water Treatment Plant continues. Draining of the 9 million gallon clear well began Sunday, after inspection by divers, in preparation of further inspection. Assessment and repair will be a lengthy process. The flood water destroyed the electrical systems within the plant as well as the computerized monitoring system, flooded pumps and motors and contaminated basins and storage wells at the facility. Power has been restored to the property and contractors will be hired to begin necessary electrical work within the facility this week. The pumps and motors have been removed and are in the process of being dried and assessed.
DISASTER DEBRIS CLEAN-UP
This morning, a combined fleet of nearly 80 trucks left LP Field to begin running multiple routes collecting discarded furniture, appliances and other disaster debris from flood-ravaged homes. At least one truck will be dispatched to each of Metro's 12 maintenance zones; however, today the majority of trucks will be returning to neighborhoods in Bellevue, Antioch, North Nashville and Pennington Bend/Music Valley Drive.
All three Metro Convenience Centers are open during regular business hours this week and accepting residential debris. Today through Sunday, May 16, Public Works is waiving usual fees at the Centers, and residents will be able to make up to three (3) visits per day for free.
Locations, operating hours and phone numbers for Convenience Centers are at
www.nashville.gov/pw. The EOC Community Hotline --
862-8574 -- can provide information about where businesses can dispose of commercial debris.
ROADWAY AND TRAFFIC SIGNAL REPAIRS/ESTIMATES
Numerous Public Works crews continue working to repair roads, bridges and traffic signals. Metro's trash and recycling collections have resumed and operating on schedule. Roadway crews are repairing streets damaged by flooding, sinkholes and mudslides, and getting them re-opened for traffic. As of Sunday, engineering crews had repaired over a dozen traffic signal cabinets that had been flooded, and technicians are continuing to monitor and repair traffic signals. Other Public Works employees are supervising and coordinating Metro Beautification volunteers, crews from the Davidson County Sheriff's Office, Drug Court and community service workers who are assisting with cleanup.
METRO HEALTH OFFERS TETANUS SHOTS, MOLD INFORMATIONThe Metro Health Department continues to offer free tetanus shots at the Lentz Public Health Center, 311 23rd Ave. North, East Health Center, 1015 East Trinity Lane, and Woodbine Health Center, 224 Oriel Avenue, from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday thru Friday. 2,400 doses are expected to arrive Monday afternoon.
Nashville residents and volunteers cleaning up after the recent flooding should not be concerned about the risk of tetanus from floodwaters, and should not delay participating in the clean up efforts because of not having a tetanus shot. Exposure to flood waters does not increase a risk for tetanus infection according to officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Tennessee Department of Health. According to CDC, there has never been a diagnosed case of tetanus related to floods or flood cleanup in the United States.
Metro Health Department is taking calls and providing information to residents concerned about mold following last week’s flood. Informational flyers are available in English and Spanish on the Nashville.gov web page.
METRO CODES VISITS FLOOD-DAMAGED NEIGHBORHOODSMetro Codes officials are producing flyers today that detail the process homeowners must go through in order to apply for flood-damage repair permits. They will go door-to-door in flood-damaged neighborhoods handing out flyers and answering permit questions from residents. The information will also be posted on the
www.Nashville.gov flood web page.
In addition, Codes representatives will be stationed at the disaster information centers to assist citizens with the permitting process.
To verify the status of any licensed contractor or any business licensed by the Board of Licensing Contractors, visit
www.verify.tn.gov or
www.liscrch.state.tn.us.
METRO STUDENTS RETURN TO THE CLASSROOM MONDAYClasses at Metro Nashville Public Schools resumed today. Overall, the district is pleased that schools are open and operating smoothly with some accommodations given the unusual circumstances.
Employee attendance is consistent with normal operations. Student attendance information is still being gathered, but at this point it appears to be good under the circumstances.
Transportation ran smoothly this morning with 137 portions of some bus runs modified.
In addition to MNPS school counselors, Vanderbilt and Centerstone are providing counselors to help support our students.
DISASTER RECOVERY EFFORTSDisaster Information CentersDisaster Information Centers will be open this week from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Disaster Centers will remain open until FEMA centers are up and operational on the ground. Centers provide food, water, personal hygiene supplies and information about city services and FEMA registration. Metro Public Health and Social Service case workers are on site. The public can come to the Centers to pick up limited quantities of cleaning supplies to assist with home restoration efforts.
Centers are not equipped for emergency medical needs. Residents who have security and health emergencies should call 9-1-1. Disaster Information Centers are in the following locations:
• Bellevue Community Center, 656 Colice Jeanne Rd. 37221
• East Community Center, 700 Woodland Street, 37206
• Hermitage Community Center, 3720 James Kay Lane, 37076
• Hadley Community Center, 1037 28th Avenue North, 37208
• Coleman Community Center, 384 Thompson Lane 37211
The Disaster Information Centers served approximately 2,109 people affected by the flood last weekend:
East: 436
Hadley: 175
Hermitage: 299
Bellevue: 965
Coleman: 234
TOTAL= 2,109
FEMA Flood Relief Assistance
FEMA inspectors are contacting Tennessee disaster applicants who sustained losses from the storms, tornadoes and flooding. It is important to emphasize that legitimate FEMA inspectors will not ask for personal information, such as a Social Security number, or request payment at the time of the inspection. They will also wear an official FEMA photo ID badge.
Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties are urged to begin immediately applying for assistance by registering online at www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585. When applying please have the following information available:
• Current telephone number
• Address at time of disaster and address where you are currently staying
• Your social security number, if available
• A general list of damages and losses
• If insured, the name of your insurance company and your policy number
• Bank account coding if you wish to speed up your assistance by using direct deposit
Individual assistance to homeowners and renters can include grants to pay for temporary housing, home repairs, and other serious disaster related expenses not met by insurance or other assistance programs. Also, low interest loans are available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.
FEMA has opened a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Nashville for those affected by severe storms and flooding last week. The DRC is located at 100 Oaks Mall, 719 Thompson Lane, near the Hollywood 27 theater. The center is open from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m., seven days a week until further notice.
Nearly 18,000 Tennesseans have registered with FEMA and more than $28 million has been approved in individual assistance monies.
Red Cross Disaster Assistance
Red Cross Assistance is available by calling toll-free 1-866- GET- INFO (1-866-438-4636). Two Red Cross shelters remain open: Lipscomb University with 132 residents and capacity for 200 and the Al Menah Shrine center with 45 residents and capacity for 300.
Other assistance being provided by the Red Cross includes:
• Fixed feeding sites at two shelters, Sawyer Brown Community Center, 1417 Murfreesboro Road, Riverwalk Community Pool at Riverwalk Road, as well as 13 mobile feeding routes. Residents in need should look for ARC Emergency Response Vehicles in their neighborhoods.
• “Clean up kits” are available at the five Disaster Information Centers in Davidson County. The kits contain the following items: bleach, buckets, storage containers, coolers, work gloves, hand sanitizer, hoses with nozzle, insect repellent, dust masks, rakes, rope, shovel, sun screen, duct tape, and trash bags.
• In Davidson County, to date the Red Cross has provided 20,190 meals, 21,244 snacks, 4474 clean up kits, 2609 comfort kits, 991 health services contacts and 776 mental health contacts to affected families and individuals.
NASHVILLE ELECTRIC SERVICE OUTAGES AND REPAIRS
NES currently have about 300 total outages countywide, largest pocket in the northeast/Hendersonville area. On the downtown network, all 4 primary circuits on the Demonbreun East Network are restored; about 2 dozen businesses remain disconnected because of internal damage they are repairing. Their power will be restored when they are ready for it. In addition, Municipal Auditorium is back to normal.
Power was restored earlier today to the Country Estates, Sheffield on the Harpeth, Morton Mills and Hickory Estates subdivisions in Bellevue. We have replaced the necessary equipment and energized transformers to restore power to the River Plantation area in Bellevue by late this evening; some of these customers, however, may not be ready for power.
The Stadium Substation is energized and power to LP Field was restored around noon today. Crews continue making significant progress at the McCrory Substation and the West Substation.
MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE
Citizens seeking mental health assistance can contact the local "Crisis Line" at (615)244-7444. This hotline is free, manned by trained volunteers and is available 24/7.
The national "Talk Line" at
1-800-273-TALK is also available. This is a federally-funded hotline that routes the calls (by area code) to local mental health professionals.
HANDS ON NASHVILLE VOLUNTEERS DONATE THOUSANDS OF HOURSOver nine-thousand Hands On Nashville volunteers spent nearly 40,000 hours participating in flood recovery efforts between May 2nd and Sunday, May 10th. The projected economic impact of Hands on Nashville volunteerism is $815,235.
NASHVILLE SALVATION ARMY STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS ASSIST FLOOD VICTIMS
Salvation Army personnel continue to partner with OEM Disaster Information Centers, providing relief to flood victims at the Bellevue Community Center, Coleman Community Center and Hadley Community Center. The Salvation Army is on hand at each location to provide food, water and spiritual support. From May 1- 7, the Salvation Army has served 7,210 hot and cold meals, provided 9,499 drinks (soda, coffee, juice, water) and 4,610 snacks (donuts, cakes, chips). In addition, The Salvation Army has provided the same services for those working at the Office of Emergency Management, as well as to emergency responders working out of the Metro Police Department’s Southeast Precinct.
FLOOD EVENTS PHOTOGRAPHSFlood recovery effort high-resolution photographs are available for download at
www.metrophotos.nashville.gov/eventphotos/images/flood-recovery-efforts.html.
