COMMUNITY HOTLINE ACTIVATED
Mayor Urges Residents to Stay Home and Off Roadways
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2010
EOC Media Desk
(615) 862-8540
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Faced with a forecast calling for one to five additional inches of rain, Metro’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has fully activated the Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
An emergency shelter has been opened at Lipscomb University, and other locations are being prepared as officials expect more severe flooding overnight and tomorrow.
A special hotline number has been activated for Davidson County residents who have questions or need non-emergency assistance related to the flooding, including transportation to a shelter. The Community Hotline number is (615) 862-8574. In case of an emergency, residents should call 9-1-1.
At an evening media briefing, Mayor Karl Dean urged Davidson County residents to stay home and off the roadways. Assistant Chief Charles Shannon of the Nashville Fire Department confirmed one fatality and numerous rescue operations.
“This is one of the most severe rain events Nashville has ever experienced,” Mayor Dean said. “We have a large number of roads with standing or rising water on them. Our emergency responders have already conducted over 50 water rescues today, and there are more underway. I urge all Nashville residents to stay home and stay off the roads. If you feel that your home is in danger of flooding, contact the Community Hotline for assistance. For individuals that absolutely have to travel, we urge them to avoid roads that are covered in water and to respect all barricades and road closures.”
OEM and the American Red Cross have opened Lipscomb University’s Student Activity Center (adjacent to Allen Arena) at 1100 Granny White Pike to shelter individuals whose homes have flooded or who have been unable to return to their homes due to the flooding. The Davidson County Humane Society will be onsite to help care for pets brought to the shelter. The Metropolitan Transit Authority is running a special shuttle to the shelter. The pick-up location is the parking lot of U-Store-It at 1058 Murfreesboro Road.
Portions of Briley Parkway and Interstate 24 in southeast Davidson County remain closed due to flooding. One person drowned in the rain-swollen Mill Creek area of I-24 and Bell Road.
The National Weather Service reports record flooding and near crest stage levels of all creeks in the Metro area. With more rain expected overnight and throughout the day Sunday, Davidson County will be under a flood warning until Monday.
Residents are urged to stay off the roadways due to heavy flooding, especially secondary roadways. Heavy rains can cause flash flooding in streams and tributaries with little warning, and create potentially dangerous situations for residents, motorists and pedestrians. For people who are caught on the roads and encounter rising water, they should turn around and find an alternate route.
Updated information will be released from the Emergency Operations Center as it becomes available.