Bellevue: NashvilleTennessee Flood

[David A. Andersen]

If you do not have flood insurance, only the Federal Government can now help you.

Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) recommends that anyone not holding a Flood Insurance Policy in the wake of the 2010 record flood in Nashville and Middle Tennessee "Document the damage to your property" as a result of flooding. This is the most important next step you can do.

In the event of Federal Disaster Relief from the Fed, Documentation is critical to prove the extent of federal aid you are entitled to for damages.

In the wake of this historical disaster, the Governor will apply for Federal Assistance. If this application is approved, weeks to months after the initial flood, FEMA will send an Inspector to verify your claim. Things will change between now and then.

You must document now!

"Documentation" is the key to a successful claim.
I am a Building Inspector that "Documents" the conditions of buildings on a daily basis for building owners.
I can provide a third party Inspection of your property to be submitted with your claim which contains the evidence you required to be fully compensated for your losses.
Government Inspectors will try to "adjust" your claim if evidence is not substantiated at the time of their audit.

I use Infrared Thermal Imaging to "Document" the damage to your property which can not be visually seen by the FEMA Inspector.
http://www.midtninspections.com/Bell...ssee_Flood.htm

Let us document the condition of your property before clean up begins.
Give us a call when it is safe to return to your home.

(615) 406-6808

[Wayne B. Wilson]

It is pretty wild over there David, Where you affected?

[David A. Andersen]

I am High and Dry Wayne! Thanks for the inquiry!
I live on top of the highest point in the county.
But, I have had trouble getting "out"!

I have received several calls on this, the morning after the post.
Folks are starting to tear out to let things dry out.
They are not the ones under 5' (+) of water though.

Obama granted Davidson County and immediate surrounding counties aid, more anticipated to come along. FEMA is gearing up for this.

I received a few calls from Home Inspectors (out of State mostly) indicating they are slow and willing to help out. I need to check into this as we have a Home Inspection Law and we will be doing a "Home Inspection". There are no requirements for other ancillary services though.

To top things off, Termites have begun to swarm!
The North side of my house was attacked (out of the sun).
I meant to take a picture but had them all killed off before I remembered.
I guess they are looking for new residence as well!

One more thing to have to overcome when you have a soaking wet house.

The weather has been great, after the rain stopped.
Things are drying out (if above water)!

[David A. Andersen]

This is the Agency that governs Home Inspectors in TN.
Make sure your Inspectors & Contractors are licensed to work on your house.
You can search the license data base at: http://tn.gov/commerce//boards/hic/index.shtml
Select "License Search" on the top left sidebar.

Department of Commerce & Insurance Resources for Flood-hit Tennesseans
Released on Tue, May 04, 2010 - 5:51 pm under Commerce and Insurance Tennessee Emergency Management Agency
Links to Divisions, Contractors, U.S. Flood Insurance Information

NASHVILLE – The Department of Commerce and Insurance, whose buildings have been shut down as a result of the historic flooding that has devastated Middle Tennessee, has set up an operations center to respond to the numerous calls and e-mails from the public.
People with questions about insurance should call 800-342-4029 or e-mail CIS.complaints@tn.gov.
People with questions about consumer issues should call 800-342-8385 or e-mail consumer.affairs@tn.gov.
People with questions related to the Regulatory Boards should e-mail reg.boards@tn.gov.
A number of Tennesseans have questions about flood insurance. Flood insurance is overseen by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). FEMA has information on flood insurance at http://www.fema.gov/hazard/flood/info.shtm.

Tennessee’s Board for Licensing Contractors has found that unscrupulous, unlicensed contractors like to take advantage of homeowners anxious to rebuild after disasters. Be sure to hire only licensed contractors and check them out with the Board. Consumers may verify a license status by checking the website for various trades at http://licsrch.state.tn.us/.

The Department of Commerce and Insurance works to protect consumers while ensuring fair competition for industries and professionals who do business in Tennessee. www.tn.gov/commerce/

[Sean Fogarty]

David, give me a call I will be glad to come over and help if I have time. I can bring Wayne, and make him drive!

[Wayne B. Wilson]

Originally Posted by sfogarty

David, give me a call I will be glad to come over and help if I have time. I can bring Wayne, and make him drive!

LOL at least we get there

[David A. Andersen]

May 6, 2010

THIS IS TENNESSEE
VOLUNTEERS ADD NEW CHAPTER TO STORIED HISTORY

by Brent High

On May 1st and 2nd of 2010 a historic amount of rain, as much as 17 inches, fell on middle Tennessee and the city of Nashville in less than 48 hours. Historians are using terms like “thousand year flood” to describe what took place here. The Cumberland River, Nashville’s main waterway, crested at just over 51 feet, flooding iconic structures including the Grand Ole Opry, LP Field and Bridgestone Arena where the Tennessee Titans and Nashville Predators play, Country Music Hall of Fame and the Opryland Hotel and Convention Center. The water rose so much, so fast and in places water has never been seen that thousands had to be rescued by boat. Dozens lost their lives. Thousands of homeowners lost everything they had. Thousands more are now trying to salvage what’s left. Most had no flood insurance because before May 1st they didn’t need it where they lived. Early estimates are that the damage will top $1 billion and this storm will go down as the most devastating non-hurricane event in American history.

This is Tennessee.

It’s Monday, May 3rd. The rain has stopped, finally. What happens next shouldn’t come as a surprise. Almost instinctively, after a long night of restlessness, volunteers spring into action. It’s in their blood. They’ve been trained to do so by their parents and grandparents. From Waverly to Cookeville, Winchester to Cross Plains and in the capital city of Nashville the sights and sounds are the same.

Without being asked, fishermen launch their boats into the muddy soup, joining the rescue efforts. Business owners and supervisors tell their employees to take the day off and jump in and help wherever they can. Neighbors, many of whom helped empty entire houses in brigade fashion the night before, transition into cleanup mode. Sump pumps and generators whirr. Drywall, carpet and ruined floors are ripped out. Elderly ladies gather at the church to make lunches for workers. Teenagers distribute bottled water. Pickup trucks, trailers and storage units are loaded with what could be salvaged. Photos and documents are spread out in the sun to dry. Wads of $20 bills are slid into pockets of those affected. Checks are written. Hugs are given. Prayers are said. Tears are shed.

This is Tennessee.

Almost 200 years ago Tennessee first earned the nickname “Volunteer State.” In 1812 More than 2,000 Tennesseans volunteered to fight for Andrew Jackson and were the main part of Jackson’s army that destroyed the British three years later in the Battle of New Orleans. A generation later the U. S. Secretary of War asked Tennessee for 2,800 soldiers to fight a war against Mexico. 30,000 volunteered.

This is a state where faith comes first. We don’t ask why. We know there is a reason and look forward to it being revealed. We are guided by scriptures such as Philippians 2:3-5 which says:

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus.”

Family is a focus, not an afterthought. Don’t bother trying to do business with us the week of Christmas or July 4th. We’ll be with family. When our kids have a school play we will be there. We throw big birthday parties. We teach our kids right from wrong and aren’t afraid to give them a whippin’ when they need it.

Here we say “Yes ma’am” and “No ma’am.” We try to leave a place better than we found it. We put our hand over our heart when the national anthem is played. We pull over on the side of the road when funeral processions pass on the other side.

We are savvy business people. We are farmers. We are teachers.

We drink Coke here. We like gravy with our biscuits and potatoes.

We are serious about our sports. We keep score in little league and we still have all-star teams and MVP trophies.

We are givers.

You won’t hear us wailing about where the federal government and insurance companies were in all of this. We’ll get by just fine without them.

Right now we have a lot to deal with here in our backyard. We will handle it with dignity and class. We will sacrifice for each other in ways that are unfathomable to most. We will stand together. We will stand tall. We will come out of this stronger than we were before it.

One day in the not too distant future a hurricane, tornado, fire, flood or other unspeakable disaster will strike your community. As you struggle to put the pieces back together we will be there.

We will volunteer.

We are Tennesseans.

This is Tennessee.

Brent High, 36, is a lifelong Tennessean from Nashville. He serves as Assistant Director of Athletics for External Affairs at Lipscomb University .