Not much of a diary, but I just got back from bicycling downtown to check on the river. Of course, there are other parts of town that are hit MUCH worse, but I cannot access them. If you want to help, the best thing is to donate to the Red Cross, as they will be able to help across the state. In addition to downtown, Opryland has 6 feet of standing water, and I-40 westbound is still closed. I had thought that the rise of the Cumberland River was slowing, but I just heard that the US Corps of Engineers is going to release water at several upstream dams, so the river is only going to rise. The mayor is due to have a press conference sometime this morning. I know the pictures are a bit small - anyone know how best to resize?
UPDATE: I'm sorry this has to be my first trip to the Rec List. More info - Nashville Electric Service is having trouble getting service restored because they lost over 30 trucks in the flooding. Also, Metro Transit is not running until further notice because their headquarters, and many busses, were also flooded. Right now, staying home and out of the way of rescue vehicles is the best thing we can do. As for the dam situation, Old Hickory, Percy Priest, and Wolf Creek are planning multiple releases through midnight tonight. Old Hickory is releasing 10 times the volume that they normally release for electrical generation, and that's just ONE dam. Oy.
UPDATE 2 - 1:20 CST. I am just sick to my stomach. Our beautiful new symphony hall has flooded and we will be out of it for at least a couple of months. Information is sketchy right now, but I can say that we lost both concert grands (So sorry, Jean Yves!) as well as the organ console. The flat floor is buckled, and water has reached the coat check area. At this point, management is scrambling to set up communications at a remote location, and is trying its best to relocate concerts. So, I'm going to go back downtown to retrieve my clothes and other belongings before I can't get in.
This is a shot of downtown from the parking lot of the Titans stadium.
Looking from the Shelby pedestrian bridge over the stadium parking lot.
Another view of the parking lot.
Looking over the "Ghost Ballet" sculpture to First Avenue. This is the main historic area of downtown, and there should be a park here.
Another view of where the park should be. This is the park where we usually have the big July 4th celebration.
These boats are on the same elevation as First Avenue. They should be about 30 feet lower.
The Music City Star train shed. Aside from the flooding, the train isn't running because the tracks washed out between Nashville and Lebanon.
Looking toward 2nd Avenue. More historic buildings under water.
A view from the stage door of Schermerhorn Symphony Center at 4th Avenue and Demonbreun. 4-5 feet of water in the basement, but the pianos are safe for now.
Looking at the Country Music Hall of Fame across from the symphony hall.