South Nashville’s flood recovery has been challenged by fewer funds and volunteers

One year since deadly and destructive flash flooding, dozens of Nashvillians are among those still recovering. The anniversary has drawn attention to their ongoing needs and an event on Saturday included a remembrance for the six deaths that occurred across three counties on March 27, 2021.

About 500 homes and businesses were also damaged in what was the most severe flash flooding since May 2010. Some areas saw 9 inches of rain and creeks were overwhelmed. Sevenmile Creek hit its highest level on record.

The message from survivors and relief workers: it’s not too late to get help.

“Just ask,” says Sasha Hudgens, “because your needs change so much.”

Aid is available from the local Disaster Recovery Connection, which can be reached at 615-270-9255. Translation services are available.

The flooding displaced Hudgens and their daughter, who was 9 at the time, along with two dogs and a cat. They were without electricity for a month and without hot water even longer at the Harding Place Condos. The storm also destroyed their vehicle.

“Finding accommodations was not easy. It got very expensive, very quick,” Hudgens says.

Fatigue limited community’s response

Disaster response leaders say about 150 Nashville households got intensive case management. Among those, about two dozen are still getting help.

But in some cases, flood survivors had to go without assistance — or wait months for it.

That’s largely because limited relief money flowed in after the storm. The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee says it collected just $100,000.

Alexis Marshall WPLN News

A flood remembrance on Saturday included a moment of silence and the chance for survivors to record their personal stories.

Local relief agencies suspect the region’s number of disasters, along with challenges of the pandemic, led to “donor fatigue.” They say volunteers have been harder to find as well.

“This event was not as visible as, say, the March 2020 tornado or the Nashville Christmas Day bombing,” said Erika Taylor, disaster program manager at Hands On Nashville. “In a flood, the waters come up and then they recede … so that affected donors, initially.”

Families have struggled to repair foundations, for example, and numerous vehicles were lost to the water.

One funding move has helped. The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee found that it had more than enough funds gathered after the March 2020 tornadoes, and has been able to shift $1.25 million to help with the flooding effort.