We have not yet begun to assess the full scope of the damage from this weekend's flood, but during its height, David Ewing who runs Facebook's The Nashville I wish I knew published this:
The first weekend in May, 2010, Nashville faced rain and flooding like we have not seen since the famous "1926 Christmas Day Nashville Flood."
We at The Nashville I Wish I Knew bring you rare photos few in Nashville remember - when the Cumberland River rose to record heights and flooded a lot of downtown.
As you look through these historic photographs, you may wonder why this weekend's flood didn't do similar damage to downtown. The reason is, the United States Government built a series of dams and levees to protect Nashville including J. Percy Priest Dam (finished in 1968) and the Wolf Creek Dam (finished in 1951) which control the levels of the Cumberland River.
The Nashville Tennessean printed a special booklet with photos from the 1926 flood and this is how they described the event:
"Rain fell in a torrent on Christmas Eve, and when Christmas Day broke there was no change from the steady downpour. Throughout the day this continued, and on Christmas afternoon Nashville awoke to the realization that a catastrophe was staring it in the face.
"Back waters became flood waters, the wash swept wider and deeper its path. Property already vastly damaged, the city awoke to the realization that thousands of human lives were endangered, and that untold suffering was beginning to descend upon those in the stricken area. "
"The flood caused between 7,000 to 10,000 people to become homeless as water rose to many roof lines especially in East Nashville. The total damage was $5,000,000 and many homes were flooded and some downtown businesses collapsed from the water damage.
"In the Christmas spirit, Life & Casualty's WLAC Radio immediately went on air and had special live broadcasts to raise money. They raised $15,000 on Christmas alone and others helped too. The Chamber donated $50,000, Davidson County Court $15,000 and churches helped as well.
"The Shelby Street bridge was blocked due to high water so the Woodland Street Bridge was the only route to the heavily damaged East Nashville. Just like today many people had to be rescued from their homes and businesses.
"The River flooded three miles wide and 31 blocks of the City of Nashville."
© Tennessean
The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee has set up a fund which you can donate to help those impacted by the flood. here is the link: CFMT
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