Early yesterday morning, Nashville and surrounding Middle Tennessee counties were hit with a massive tornado system that leveled over a hundred buildings and caused significant damage to dozens more. The death toll is up to 24, and a number of residents are still missing. Winds reached 165 miles per hour.
We would like to thank all the readers who reached out to check on us. We are grateful to God for our safety and that our home did not suffer any damage. We do not personally know anyone who lost their lives or sustained significant damage to their homes, but we have friends of friends whose loved ones are among those who perished. Truly heartbreaking.
It always bothers me to hear of other cities and countries that experience tragic storms, but it’s an entirely different feeling when it’s your community. When you recognize the obliterated houses and businesses that are being shown on national TV, it brings out a lot of emotions.
Mr. Handsome and I are eager to help the relief efforts, but we also want to avoid hindering the work of the homeowners and business owners or those associated with organized cleanup and rescue groups. While my heart wanted to hop in the car with water bottles and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, my head decided that wasn’t the best course of action. So we decided to purchase a trunk full of supplies at Walmart and drop it off at a local charity that is accepting donations for the shelters set up across town. We hope to do more later this week.
Glad to hear you’re ok!
Thank you, Iris. We appreciate that. 🙂
Ellie
I’m so glad you and your family are ok! My sister, brother-in-law, and my two adorable nephews also live in Nashville. Thankfully, they are all fine but I had a mighty big lump in my throat waiting to hear from them. I’m praying for everyone affected by the tornadoes.
Very glad to hear that your family is okay, Kelly!
Hi Ellie and Family:O))
So wonderful to know you all are okay and being the hand and feet of Jesus. A blessing to those in need!
Praying for those in Nashville.
Thank you so much for your prayers, Nancy!
Ellie
How close were you when it passed? Were you awoken by any sort of alert? Do you have a basement or safe(r) level in your house? Did you have to go there? Did you lose power? Trees? Winds can be high in these storms even where the tornado doesn’t touch down in that spot.
Ellie! I’m so glad to hear from you. I’m in tears but tears of relief. I’m glad you and Mr. Handsome were able to do something that will bless someone. I know it will at least make you feel like you’ve done something so you don’t have to have that helpless feeling. Please stay safe though. Do you have a tornado shelter in your home? We were just discussing safe places to be in the event of a rare tornado. We have had strong thunderstorms during monsoon seasons and once in awhile we get a severe thunderstorm warning saying it could produce a tornado.
Thank you for your kindness, Regina. it means a lot. We do have a safe place in our home to go during tornadoes.
Ellie
Prayers for all affected. Glad you and your family are safe🙏
Thank you, Jennifer!
Glad you all are fine. Prayers For all the victims.
Joan,Marion and Marilyn
Thank you, Joan, Marion, and Marilyn!
so glad to hear you all are good! and very smart dropping off supplies. this sounds weird and i dont mean it negatively but sometimes its best to let others who are used to doing these things, do it. like first responders, etc. so we dont get in their way or slow them down.
I’ve been through a fair share of weather disasters (including losing my home) and I totally agree w/anon. After the initial rescue efforts are done, sometimes the best thing you can do as an untrained individual is to donate money to the organizations who are equipped to handle these emergencies. No remarks about how the Red Cross is financially irresponsible, please. They always step in to help, as well as local organizations who are also in need of financial assistance. Unless a specific need has been identified, donated goods can pile up and go unused. Money, however, always gets used, as do services like sorting and clean-up help or tree removal. And let me tell you… It’s hard as a victim to accept anything when you’re used to doing fine on your own and all you want is your normal life back, which nobody can give you right now. There will be a lot of psychological damage to repair as well as physical damage. Even the most well-meaning helper or donator can cause more stress for a victim. Proceed carefully.
That is awesome what you are doing Ellie! Glad to hear that you all are ok!
Ellie glad you Mr.Handsome and buddy were safe.
My second cousin lives down in Nashville and haven’t heard if she is safe our not. Praying she’s ok.
Email my cousin to see if she was safe and haven’t heard back yet.
Thank you! Let us know when you hear from her, B.
Ellie
Let’s please all pray for God’s peace and comfort to those who lost loved ones
Amen. Thank you for praying.
Ellie
It’s was so good to get on your blog and see that your family and friends are ok. Our hearts and prayers go out to all who suffered the loss of loved ones and/or property. It is difficult to know what to do. It’s a natural reaction, as you said, to want to run in there and do something! But there are so many safety issues already without causing more problems for the first responders. Sometimes even news people, in their eagerness to bring us the story, can overwhelm those people directly affected by tragedy. It is best to give people time and space so they can remain safe, process what has happened, and grieve their losses in their own way. There will be lots of opportunities to help down the road. The recovery process, physically and mentally, takes months and years. Ellie, you guys made the right call by considering the best option and bringing supplies to a charity, equipped to assess people’s’ needs. Thank you for doing that. Also, there may be a opportunity for churches and organizations to have fund-raisers, as money will be much needed for a long time to come.
Thank you for your prayers for our area, Barb. And thank you for sharing your thoughts. 🙂
Ellie
So glad to know you and your family are safe, but our hearts go out to those who have been so devastated in Tennessee. Everyone is in our thoughts and prayers!
Thank you, Kris! And thank you for your prayers for the area.
Hi Ellie,
With much of the news focusing on illness right now, I’ve heard very little about the relief efforts lately. I’m sure normal life will not resume for those affected for quite some time, especially considering the threat of Coronavirus now as well. I was just wondering if help is still available for those in your area in need? Praying for Nashville.
Thank you for your prayers, Michelle! We have a couple friends who are cops, and they told us that many of the relief efforts that have been performed by volunteers have sadly been postponed due to coronavirus. My heart goes out to those people. What a difficult time! Thankfully, many in Nashville have donated supplies and food, and restaurants are helping, as well, so those who have lost their homes are still receiving support. We hope to get involved in the relief efforts when things are back up and running. Driving by the impacted areas soon after the tornado was like driving through a scene straight out of a war movie. So incredibly devastating, but so many in our city stepped up to help, and that has been encouraging to see.
Ellie
Thank you for your update. It’s scary enough to face the possibility of such an unknown illness right now- I can’t imagine doing so after just losing everything. It is comforting to know that many have supported those affected, and I will keep them in my prayers!
I just logged on and saw this- there hasn’t been any coverage at all in the UK. It just shows how many awful things are happening around the world all the time! Our papers are just talking about corona virus! I’m so glad you’re okay.
Thank you, MarriedUK! 🙂