Photo courtesy of Lauren Clay
Today, according to the Office of the Press Secretary, President Obama "declared a major disaster exists in the State of Tennessee and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts."
19 people have died in Tennessee since the storms and flooding began and the death toll is expected to rise as the waters of the flooded Cumberland River recede.
Some of Nashville's most historic landmarks have been affected by the flooding including the Opryland Hotel where hundreds of people had to be evacuated, the Ryman Auditorium (original home of the Grand Ol' Opry) and the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Relatives of those affected in Tennessee have found it difficult to find news on television about the disaster. Some have turned to Twitter and Facebook to keep up with the ongoing news. You can tune into livestreaming coverage from Nashville's NBC affiliate, WSMV-TV.
The President's action will allow Federal funding for affected individuals in the counties of Cheatham, Davidson, Hickman and Williamson which includes Nashville and Franklin. Nashville and areas surrounding the metropolitan area have incurred catastrophic flooding after receiving up to 20 inches of rain in some areas.
FEMA is still conducting damage surveys and more counties in Tennessee may be designated after the assessments are completed in the affected areas.
Residents affected by the flood can begin applying for help tomorrow by registering online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.
The Nashville Red Cross is accepting money donations. Another way you can help is by contacting Hands on Nashville.
The Nashville Weather Examiner has been covering the story.
Because of a lack of national coverage of this major disaster, relief groups like this one have cropped up on Facebook.
The following video was taken from a traffic cam on I-24 in Nashville at Bell Road. Watch as a portable school house floats down the interstate and hits a tractor trailer.
To see more videos and photos, please see WSMV.
Comments
just wanted to let you know that the ryman was unaffected. but the current grand ol' opry was flooded.
Barack Obama does not care about white people.
Faith Hill & Tim McGraw were outraged about the way Bush handled Katrina. I haven't seen any outrage at the way Obama has dropped the ball on Nashville and Louisiana by Faith & Tim. Hmmm...
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