Our teams helped rain-weary Middle Tennessee homeowners where flash flooding struck after record rainfall in the region.
Update (April 12): Our response in Nashville was completed on April 10.
Volunteers worked hard in the Nashville, Tennessee, area where heavy rains caused severe flooding and widespread damage.
Samaritan’s Purse volunteers are serving flood-weary homeowners in Nashville, Tennessee.
More than seven inches of rain in less than 48 hours made this the second highest two-day rainfall in Nashville history and resulted in a deadly flash flood that killed at least seven people and required more than 130 water rescues.
Many homes were filled with muddy water, silt, and debris after a number of rivers in the region overflowed their banks.
“The water was going so fast I thought ‘if we walk out these doors we’re going to be swept away,’” says Melissa Smelser. “I thought we were gonners. I really did.”
Melissa’s husband Keith said it was dark out and difficult to see just how deep the water was.
“The only time I could see how deep it was, was when the lightning flashed,” he said. “It really hit me. When the lightning flashed I could see the water was level with my bathroom window and rushing by. That’s when I started praying. I knew that if the house went with us inside, it was over. I was praying to God.”
Praise God that within five minutes of that prayer the water started receding. “God showed mercy,” Andrew said.
The Smelsers are one of many homeowners we helped in the Nashville area.
Teams assisted hurting homeowners in Jesus’ Name as communities continue to clean up. Volunteers removed waterlogged walls and flooring, rid homes of debris, and salvaged belongings not destroyed by the flood.
Samaritan’s Purse volunteers operated out of our base of operations at Crievewood Baptist Church, 480 Hogan Road in Nashville.
Our work in the Volunteer State came on the heels of severe weather in several other Southern states. We responded in Kentucky and Alabama; and continue to work in Georgia after tornadoes ripped through communities last month.
Please pray for hurting homeowners as they continue to recover.
