Flood relief update (by Anna Cramer)

It is hard to believe that it has only been eight weeks since Middle Tennessee

was hit by devastating floods.  The immediacy of the crisis has passed, but the long term rebuilding effort will take years to be completed.  We would like to encourage each committee, choir, Sunday School class, and small group at Belmont UMC to have a flood work day over the summer.  Hands On Nashville (hon.org) has daily updates of work projects throughout our city to help rebuild people's homes and in turn their lives.  The church website will continue to list the people affected by the floods so that you continue to keep them in your prayers as they recover from the flooding.  Over $9,000 was generously donated by Belmonters for the flood relief fund.  This money is being distributed to those in need in our community and many, many thanks have been expressed by persons receiving this money.  Thanks goes out to all Belmonters as they have responded and continue to respond to this crisis.  If you have any questions or know someone in need, please contact Virginia Kessen at 615-228-1212 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Below is a listing of various resources available for flood victims.  Please check back often for updates.

HOMEOWNERS CAN APPLY ONLINE FOR FLOOD-RELATED BUILDING PERMITS

50 Percent of All Flood-Damaged Properties are Immediately Eligible for Building Permits, Homeowners are Encouraged to Move Forward with Repairs

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today Mayor Karl Dean and Metro Government officials from Codes and Information Technology Services announce an expanded online code permit system created to meet the needs of thousands of homeowners who have been affected by the recent flood. Now owners of flood-damaged one and two-family residential properties located in Davidson County may apply for, receive and print their flood-repair permits online, without having to visit the Codes Department. Affected property owners can learn more and apply online via a link at http://www.nashville.gov/flood

The recent flood damaged approximately 11,680 Nashville properties, which are now in need of repair. A building permit and building inspections are required for flood damage repairs. Initially, this new online feature is available to homeowners affected by the flood whose properties are not in the floodplain, and those in the floodplain whose properties have been assessed by a Metro Water Services’ contractor and their homes were found to have damage worth less than 40 percent of their assessed value. As assessments by Metro Water Services continue, additional homes will be added to the online permit system.

Approximately 5,850 properties, or 50 percent of the total affected by the flood, are located outside of the 100-year floodplain. Owners of these properties are immediately eligible to receive a building permit and are encouraged to move forward with repairs. An easy-to-understand flyer about who is eligible for a building permit is available for download online at http://www.nashville.gov/flood/docs/Building_Permit_Flyer.pdf

This new online process for homeowners was achieved through custom modification of Metro’s existing computer application (Accela Inc’s KIVA), which the Codes Department uses daily to issue permits and process inspections. The online KIVA option is already being used by contractors to apply for permits, saving them visits to the Codes Department. Currently, 70 percent of contractor permits are issued in this manner.

In a typical year, the Department of Codes and Building Safety issues approximately 10,000 building permits as well as approximately 40,000 trade permits associated with the installation of electrical, HVAC and plumbing systems.  All the information about the properties within Davidson County and buildings, which have been constructed in Nashville, is maintained through databases shared by several Metro departments including the Tax Assessor and Trustee.

The Codes Department has also enhanced its Interactive Voice Response (IVR) telephone system, which is available to all permit holders when requesting codes inspections. Inspection requests can be made from any touch-tone phone from 6 a.m. through 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Instructions for accessing the IVR system are issued with each online permit.


The Gordon Jewish Community Center of Nashville has a gym full of clothing, cleaning supplies, toiletries, and food available for flood victims. No one knows all this stuff is there, so please put out the word! Contact Eric Goldstein, 615-356-7170, ext. 233. Hours 7 am -10 pm.
http://www.nashvillejcc.org/

The Department of Codes & Building Safety has complied a set of guidelines to assist property owners in their recovery efforts. These guidelines provide helpful information for obtaining permits associated with the repair of flood damaged homes and buildings.

Please share this information with anyone whose property has been damaged by the flood. This document is available at www.nashville.gov/codes..

For people living in the counties that have been declared a disaster area, see this article from Bradly, Arant, Boult Cummings law firm at:   http://www.babc.com/files/upload/Tax Alert May 2010.pdf

It reads that an individual can file an amended 2009 tax return and get a tax deduction of the amount of their uninsured flood related property losses in excess of $500. Different rules apply if you take the deduction on your 2010 return – losses in excess of 10% of your adjusted gross income plus $100.  Important point:  Keep records NOW of your losses, you can figure out later after you know what your insurance will cover (if any) whether you can deduct your losses your 2009 or 2010 taxes.

Here are a few ways that you can help:

1) Volunteer through Hands on Nashville (www.hon.org).  They are organizing volunteers for sites throughout Nashville and Middle Tennessee.  Also, we have been in close contact with Jay Voorhees, pastor at Antioch UMC.  Their church is now serving as the SE Nashville Flood Relief Center.  You can sign up through Hands On Nashville to volunteer at this location or just show up at 41 Tusculum Rd., Antioch, TN 37013 and they will get you registered.  Lanecia has been to the church and they are well organized and in substantial need of volunteers.

2) Donate to the BUMC Flood Relief Fund.  Belmont United Methodist Church has established a flood relief fund to provide financial assistance to persons associated with Belmont that were affected by the recent heavy rain and subsequent flooding. Person's wishing to make a tax deductible contribution to this effort, should send a check to Belmont's business office, payable to Belmont United Methodist Church with the designation "Belmont Flood Relief Fund." That check will be reflected as a tax deductible contribution on the donor's giving statement. Person's who wish to make non-deductible gifts to a specific person, are encouraged to do so, and should give their check directly to the person they wish to help.

3) Continue to donate items for relief efforts.  While flood buckets are still needed,  there is also now a great need for tools, masks, etc. One item disaster centers have been running short on is face masks, which must be rated as N95 mask to protect from mold.  Bring them to the church and we will make sure they are distributed to disaster relief centers.  

4) Give food to Second Harvest — they are stretched thin. You can bring food donations to the church and put in the collection boxes located outside of the Iris Room and we will deliver to Second Harvest.

5) On Sunday, May 23, we will be having an all church potluck lunch following the 10:30 service.  This will be a time to gather as a community and share our flood stories with each other.  We will also discuss how we as a church will respond long term to this disaster.  Virginia Kessen is organizing and more details will follow.  

6) Pray for and check in with one another. While some weathered the storm well, there are some who are still digging out. You can go to our website at http://www.belmontumc.org/index.php/features/403-flood-prayers-and-needs-list and see a list of people we know about who were affected by the flood.  Check in with them and see if they continue to have needs.  If you have any questions about how to navigate responding to a need, the pastoral contact is Linda Johnson at 383-0832 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

7) Pray about the next steps. The experts tell us that we have at least a year of recovery, and more likely two.   And this does not account for the long-term lingering effects of the disaster.  There are many families who lost everything and very few folks have flood insurance. FEMA’s payment for home repair is relatively low and there will be situations where area churches need to adopt a family, or even a whole neighborhood. Be asking God to lead us to know how we should proceed in the days to come.   We are also looking into serving as a host church for VIM teams who travel to Nashville during the summer and fall break.  If you are interested in coordinating this long term relief effort, please contact me as soon as possible.   Be asking God to lead us to know how we should proceed in the days to come.

A list of all those we know about who were affected by the flooding in Nashville and Middle Tennessee on May 1-2, 2010.  Please pray.  Please check in on these friends, neighbors and strangers as we serve as the hands and feet of God in our community.

1.    Marti Margrave Artibee & Fred Artibee -- West Meade area.  They were notified by FEMA that the hill behind her their house was not safe and that she they had to evacuate.  They are living in a hotel.  They have many trees down and a mud slide.  There are cracks in the house.  They are worried that another big rain would completely destroy their house.  Please contact if you think you can help.  
2.    Bellevue family of four displaced from flood needs temporary housing where their young son with Down’s Syndrome will be safe from wandering (single story, fenced yard).   Kids are in Harpeth Valley Elementary and Bellevue Middle School.  Home being repaired/rebuilt is in River Plantation.  Family very much wants to find a place close to these schools and River Plantation.  Contact Sharon Conley:  615.498.3495.
3.    Millwood Manor Apartments, off Murfreesboro Road located at 305 Millwood Drive, Nashville, TN 37217-1604. Mary Laurens Seely is the Hands On Nashville coordinator for this site.  She says there is a tremendous need for assistance if you can help. 58 apartments have been damaged. The people who live there are in need of everything from diapers and water to help with cleanup and hauling away debris.  Mary Laurens will be coordinating work for Sunday.  Please call Mary Laurens at 414-8023 ifi you can help. She has important information about the needs of this community and how best to help before you get on site.
4.    Antioch UMC, serving as the SE Nashville Flood Relief Center.  This area has over 300 homes that were flooded.  Antioch UMC is currently coordinating work on 150 homes.  They need people with trucks to move furniture, people to work on homes and put down plywood in flooded trailers, and so much more.  Bring tools, facemasks, hammers, saws and be prepared to get dirty.  Just show up at Antioch UMC, 41 Tusculum Road, Antioch, TN  37013.  Or you can find out more information at their website:  www.antiochumc. net.
5.    Jim & Cathy Folk, Draughn Avenue, had serious flooding of their basement – storage and workshop and heating & AC.  No volunteers needed at this time.
6.    Kendrick Watts
7.    Debbie and Harry Robinson, from Miriam’s Promise.  
8.    Elaine Lawson’s mother.  Duplex flooded.  She moved into assisted living while repair is being done.  
9.    Kim & Gary Hawkins, office on 1st Avenue was flooded, destroying years of archives of their work
10.    Irene Thacker, now in a nursing home; contractors working on home
11.    Mike & Lois Fleming, Lois’ mother, Mary Hall
12.    Jean Fair, contractor working on home, staying in a motel and renting a car
13.    Patty Murphy, contractor working on home
14.    Courtney and Brian Weiler, Battlefield Drive.  No volunteers needed at this point.  
15.    Older couple in need of assistance Tuesday afternoon.  Located at 2027 Ed Temple Blvd, off of 28th Avenue.  They need to be out of their apartment Tuesday afternoon.  A U-Haul guy has offered his truck (if they would pay gas) and himself to help haul the furniture out, but they need 2-4 more people.  Contact:  Becca (Mary Kaye Jordan’s neice) at 336-2016 or Tanya at 438-5024.
16.    Arnell Willis and Marlene Alvarez; 1342 General George Patton Rd, Nashville, TN 37221-2445.  
17.    Karla Howe (Katy Hines' sister); 410 Plantation Court, (Sec 1) Bellevue-River Plantation; Contact: Katy Hines (214-356-5507)
18.    Nancy Holland; 987 Beech Bend Drive in Bellevue.  No volunteers needed at this time.  
19.    Pam, Neighbor of Arnell and Marlene, 1282 General George Patton Rd, Nashville, TN
20.    Sara Biggs and Tamara McClean -- Bellevue.  Friends of Henrietta Hagler.  Sara and Tamara are both in much better shape now. Sara's church rented a school bus and filled it with church members who were able to get her parents' home stripped and ready to begin the long drying process. Tamara is busy getting quotes on everything from refrigerator to toilet paper roll fixtures! Both young women have strong spirits and they are being well cared for.
21.    Ed Crump, Former Nashville DS, 1035 General George Patton Road, River Plantation, home flooded.  
22.    Bob Lewis -- Retired Pastor from Franklin First UMC, 964 Todd Preis Drive, 37221, home flooded.  
23.    Tessa and Jerome Del Pino -- 12th Avenue Neighborhood -- First floor of home flooded.  Furnishings moved out on Wednesday.  Professional contractor on site to work on house.  Will contact us if more volunteers needed.
24.    Paige La Grone Babcock and Eric Babcock -- East Nashville -- basement flooded.  Volunteers moved out furnishings, sorted debris and helped with clean up.  Will contact us if more volunteers needed.
25.    Steve and Jeanie Rutland -- Woodmont -- finished basement flooded.  Volunteers no longer needed at this time.
26.    Danny Rhodes -- East Nashville -- basement flooded.  Volunteers no longer needed at this time.
27.    Families of Cockrill Elementary School (Morrow Road/Delray area)
28.    Marie Wright, secretary at Henrietta Hagler's school (Bellevue), whose home flooded.