A Somber Saturday

It's with much much sadness that I start this blog post. I'm sitting on the couch in front of the news at my parent's house in Hohenwald next to Georgia and Mike. Today was unlike any other day. So very unlike any other day.

It started with me waking up a few times to thunder and rain. It was such a relaxing environment to sleep in so I didn't roll out of bed until 11:15am. I piddled around for an hour, laid in the hammock on the deck, and then I woke up Mike at noon.


It was nice to lay in the hammock and listen/watch it rain. The creek was flowing pretty heavily, but it was of no concern. Just a nice background noise. After waking Mike up, we decided today was a good rainy day for pancakes! We went to Cracker Barrel for some breakfast and it was beyond rainy. We had a tornado warning but it wasn't anything to be alarmed about really. We were going to just go home but we had a few things to grab at WalMart real quick so we headed over. Everything was flooded. We got our things and we started to check out. The cashier told us that Liberty Pike was shut down. Uh-oh. That was our way home! Well we headed out and just like she said, we had to turn around and take a side road. We finally got to the house and here is what we found:



(Keep in mind, our creek looked like THIS just last week!) All dried up!

Instead, our entire backyard was a giant river. About 7' deep. It had already broken the big wood fence separating our yard from our neighbors. It got scary. I immediately started bawling and I called my mom in panic.

Mom calmed me down and told me I needed to regain my composure to avoid an asthma attack. I brought Morgan and Bryan to the back to show them what was happening; They had no idea. We all moved our cars to a church down the street because it had higher ground. After that, we walked down the street and checked on all of our neighbors and eventually came home to measure the water. Here's a picture of me standing on flat land... a concrete porch that comes up from our backyard (about 4 feet off the ground). Even here, it's waist high.

We decided to prepare for the absolute worst since the water was rising so incredibly fast. We started moving furniture and clothing to higher places. Everyone brought their cars to the street in front and started moving things into their vehicles. The shower flooded our bathrooms before we moved stuff. We took our (new) couch and put it up on the counters and prayed for the best. We moved all of our electronics and then the power shot in our room. We turned off the main breaker and continued to move. I saved some of my dresses, my computer, sewing machine, and eventually tv. Everything else, though, is probably gone.

Here's a picture of our driveway. You can barely tell but at this point, the water was well over the back deck and about a foot deep in our house.


This is the front of the house, viewed from the road, before the water took over the entire front. By the time we were finishing up moving stuff out, it was up to the tops of my thighs when I walked.


Here are some interior shots... The first photo is our living room. The second photo is mine and Mike's room.



These last two pictures were taken thirty minutes apart... Look at the drastic difference. Also, peep the water line at the window in the last photo.... then scroll up to the one of me being waist deep. THAT is how much deeper it got in 2 hours. By the time we left, it was pitch black and there was absolutely no hope.



We are lucky that we are renting, however, we do not have renter's insurance. So everything in the house is pretty much gone. Including well over half of my clothes, all 4 of our beds, our new couch, all of our dressers and desks, and all of our furniture. Plus all of my fabrics and things of that nature. Luckily, it's all materialistic. I am fine. Mike is fine. and Georgia is fine.

At one point, Georgia snuck out and almost went for a swim. My heart has never sank so quickly. Luckily Mike was able to grab a hold of her and get her back inside. We kept her in the car out front while we finished moving things out, just to keep her safe.

Our house is completely gone. Everything. The ceilings had already started to crack, the floorboards and the carpets were floating and buckling. I'll be surprised if the back deck is attached tomorrow. The rain is continuing to fall. It's supposed to rain more tomorrow than it did today. Our bikes are gone. Our shed is gone. It's heartbreaking. By the time we left, the water in the backyard was about 15 feet deep, and it was over 2 feet deep in the house.

None of this feels real. I feel like I'm in a poorly scripted movie. The likelihood that we will be able to live in our house is pretty much non-existant. So that leaves us in a pickle. I'm supposed to leave for NYC in exactly 3 weeks. All of this will be figured out though.

My parents came to our rescue. We drove the three cars down to Hohenwald where we are staying with my parents, probably indefinitely. We just have to figure out about Mike's job. I couldn't go to work tonight, either. It's really just such an awful situation.

Sadly, we are far from the only ones affected. A lot of our neighbors are experiencing the same misfortune and even one house down the street caught on fire. Please keep my neighbors, and all of Tennessee affected by this, in your thoughts and prayers.

Thank you so much for all the wonderful tweets and messages thus far. Every kind word goes so so far, I assure you. All of our material items can be replaced. We can't. I'm so thankful and blessed that we're all okay and we had a warm, inviting home to stay at. So many aren't that fortunate.

I've spent the better part of the evening crying. So now I'm going to settle in, watch a movie, and eat junk food to settle my soul. Tomorrow is when Mike and I can start talking serious things. But again, please keep all of my neighbors in your heart/prayers as they continue to battle this throughout the night.

xoxo


52 comments:

  1. wow. i am so, so sorry that this has happened to you. i saw your tweets and i couldn't believe it. i am so glad you were able to recover some of your things, as well as get out with both mike and georgia safely.

    my boyfriend's family lives in nashville, and they have said that the destruction is incredible. luckily their house was on a hill and they were not severely affected.

    i am going to keep you in my thoughts. i hope things work out for the best and that you are able to get on your feet again as soon as possible. please stay safe.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you Meredith. We were totally unaware of the severity of the situation all across the mid-state area. We knew our area had it bad, but we didn't realize it was as wide-spread as it is. So many people are suffering around us, but luckily there have been tons of people offering their support and help. It's pretty incredible. <3

    ReplyDelete
  3. My home town of Rhode Island just suffered from terrible flooding as well and a lot of people didn't have insurance because RI has never had a flood so flood insurance isn't even available in that area... It's a very terrible thing and I am sorry you are going through this! I will pray for you and everyone in TN. My heart goes out to you <3 xo

    ReplyDelete
  4. I totally sympathise with you! My house was trashed by a flood and water damage is the worse kind! Your family and yourself are alright tho and no amount of insurance could ever match that. Good luck!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. this is so heartbreaking.
    i'm definitely keeping you in my thoughts!
    i hope everything works out the way you need.

    xo, girl.

    ReplyDelete
  6. So so sad! But so glad you and your loved ones are okay!
    Y'all are in my thoughts! and will continue to be <3
    I have a lot of friends in Nashville and Franklin and am hoping they are okay too!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm so, so sorry about this and glad that you, Mike and Georgia are okay. <3

    It's good that the only things you lost were materialistic, but still, that's SO hard to lose the things you were collecting to build a life together.

    I hope everything works out as best as it possibly can!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh Kaelah, I am so sorry to read about this. How incredibly awful. My thoughts are with you and your neighnours. <3

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm glad the three of you are okay. I can't imagine how you must be feeling. Thinking of everyone affected! Xx

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am so ridiculously sorry about this. This brought tears to my eyes, and it's just hard to look at. My familys' prayers are with everyone in Tenn. and I sincerely hope you guys make a speedy recovery from this. Not fun at all :/ Glad you're all safe & sound though! You standing in the water kinda made me laugh, as I'd do the same thing. heh

    ReplyDelete
  11. I am so sorry to hear this. My boyfriend, who lives in Nashville, was unreachable by phone for several hours today (it died, and he couldn't get home due to flooding), so I've been paying close attention to the goings on. My heart seriously hurts for you right now. You're in my thoughts and prayers.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wow this is so sad. You're in my thoughts, everything will be okay.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm so sorry this had to happen to you. I can't imagine having to come home to that, it must heart breaking for you I'm so sorry. So glad you are ok!. Thinking of you x.

    ReplyDelete
  14. i'm so sorry to hear about this, i can't even imagine what it must be like. at least you're all safe though.

    ReplyDelete
  15. omg, that is so terrible! I have no words. sending you some virtual strength *hugs*

    ReplyDelete
  16. aw gosh :( I really didnt expect to see this when I started reading your post. glad you and mike and miss georgia are safe and sound. will definately be keeping everyone in my prayers! :( xx

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oh no! I was up at 02:00 this morning when the storms rolled through here last night, praying that we didn't get a tornado. Sweetie if you all need anything, just let me know! I'll keep you guys in my thoughts :) *hugs* ~jen

    ReplyDelete
  18. I am so sorry, love! Please just try to take care of yourself and each other while sifting through this awful mess. Sending seventeen kinds of good vibrations and love your way.

    ReplyDelete
  19. so sorry :-(

    Try to stay positive x

    ReplyDelete
  20. I'm so so so glad that you, Mike, and baby G are okay! I can't even imagine how heartbreaking this is, but I'm so thankful your parents had a safe place for you guys to stay and that they could come get you. It may be stressful, but I know everything with NYC and Mike's job will all work out. If you need anything, just remember you have a ton of people here for you <3

    ReplyDelete
  21. I am so so sorry, this has to be traumatizing. Atleast everyone is okay though, hope things start to get better for you all. keep you in my prayers :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. After reading this, I feel silly for complaing about waking up this morning, throwing up, when I have so much to get done for finals. My problems seem so little compared to this. And it really shows me not to take things for granted, and when I am having a bad day, there are people out there who are going through a lot tougher situations than me. Everything will work itself out, and I'm so happy to see that you, Mike, and Baby G are okay. Prayers are being sent up for y'all in TN. <3

    ReplyDelete
  23. hey love! we are here in jackson tennessee and its insane and very flooded here too! we were lucky that our house did not get any damage. if you need any help from your friends here in west tennessee lemme know
    be safe, you are in our prayers and thoughts
    xoxo
    adrienne k.
    (kayce singletons friend)

    ReplyDelete
  24. So sorry this has happened to you :( I'll be keeping you and everyone affected by this in my thoughts and prayers!

    ReplyDelete
  25. This is so terrible. I'm keeping you in my thoughts and prayers xxx

    ReplyDelete
  26. My mom and sister live in Murfreesboro and I've been keeping track of the crazy weather up there. I'm so sorry to read that you've lost so much stuff, but happy that you & your loved ones are safe!

    ReplyDelete
  27. oh my gosh Kaelah I am sooo sorry for your loss, I know you must be devasated. If you need anything at all let me know, I know we are just blog buddies but I will do what I can. I am so so sorry :(
    xoxo,
    Lindsay

    ReplyDelete
  28. I'm so sorry Kaelah. :( I'm glad you, the pup and Mike are okay though. That's the important part. You're right, your things can be replaced...but you all can not. <3 <3 <3

    ReplyDelete
  29. I am so so sorry Kaelah. I can't even imagine how awful it must feel to come home to something like this. I'm so glad to hear that you and your family are safe! I'll be keeping you in my thoughts.

    ReplyDelete
  30. kaelah, i´m so sorry for you. i´m glad that you´re okay. i know that you´re gonna win through all difficulties. sending you strength and confidence! i´m keeping you in my thoughts <3

    ReplyDelete
  31. I'm new to your adorable little blog, and so I know my words may not mean much, coming from a stranger as they do, but please know you're in my thoughts & prayers. Be thankful that you and your loved ones are okay. Everything that was lost can be replaced, and everything that is irreplaceable is (thankfully!) okay. So just focus on the positive and take one day at a time. *hugs*

    ReplyDelete
  32. wow...i heard about this tragedy because i have lots of friends in TN and i used to live there. i'm so so sorry about all of this! i hope everything works out eventually. my thoughts are with you and everybody else who's been struck by this horrible event!

    ReplyDelete
  33. I am sooooo sorry to hear what happened, that's so awful. :( I would be a terrible mess if that happened. I hope everything is okay. As hard as it is you just have to keep in mind you and mike, and georgia are safe. Hope everything gets better soon! <3

    ReplyDelete
  34. Kaelah thats awful! I'm so sorry! I know I'm the other side of the ocean but if I can help in anyway please let me know ok?

    ReplyDelete
  35. So sorry this happened! Keeping you, Mike, and Baby G in my prayers!
    Amber A.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Awh. I feel terrible because I didn't think your tweets were real because on Saturday, it was hot, about 80, here in Pennsylvania, but it obviously happened. It's going to rain/thunderstorm pretty much all this week, but I hope it's not as bad as it was for you. I don't think I could take any of the heartbreak that you had/have to deal with.

    ReplyDelete
  37. I am so sorry to hear about this! I feel like I know you from reading your blog, and I seriously count on it to brighten my mood when I'm feeling down. I hope that everything works out for you, and I will be thinking of you!! Be safe!

    ReplyDelete
  38. My prayers are with you and your family. I have often feared what I would do in the same situation. I want you to know that I think your handling everything amazingly with strength and as much poise as humanly possible. Take care, Sweeties!!

    ReplyDelete
  39. OMG,how dreadful!Thank goodness you,Mike & georgia are unharmed;I hope your neighbours escape too.
    This kind of thing makes you think real hard about what REALLY matters.
    All positive thoughts to you.xxx

    ReplyDelete
  40. I'm so sorry...I don't know what to say, other than I'm glad you, Mike and Georgia are ok...you will all be in my thoughts!

    ReplyDelete
  41. That's so scary! I'm glad you were able to save a few things and that everyone got out okay! Please let us all know in the blog world if there's anything we can do to help out!

    ReplyDelete
  42. That's terrible! I'm really glad that you and all your housemates and neighbors and Georgia are all okay. That's the main thing. I will keep you all in my thoughts.

    ReplyDelete
  43. This is horrible! I live in Western NC, and just came home to find the river rising and the streets flooding. I doubt it has reached any houses here though... well yet.

    I am so glad your puppy is okay!

    <3

    ReplyDelete
  44. Heartbreaking, I am so shocked looking at your photos. I am so so glad everyone is okay, the loss of things is sad but can be mended, the loss of creatures big and small can't x

    ReplyDelete
  45. Oh my god, that sounds like a nightmare. I'm glad you, Mike, and Georgia got out just fine. It's definitely a good thing you rent, and as for the material things, if you got out with all of the essentials, everything will work out.

    But you've got your man and your doggy. It sounds like your family will take care of you just fine. I'm so glad you're okay!

    Everyone affected by the flood will be in my thoughts

    ReplyDelete
  46. Oh sweetie! I am so terribly sorry to hear about your losses! At least Mike, Georgia and yourself are all ok. I guess I wasn't wrong when I had a dream that something bad happened, at least it was this and not you dying right? Things will get better! Plus you have all of the support from your friends and family, and don't forget your internet friends too!

    ReplyDelete
  47. i'm so sorry :( i've heard about all the flooding but when you read about it especially like this, it's heartbreaking. i live in chattanooga and we had really bad rain yesterday but nothing as bad as you! i'll keep you in my prayers.

    ReplyDelete
  48. That's horrible! I am so sorry :(

    ReplyDelete
  49. So terrible. I'm sending you so much love and good thoughts!

    xoxo,
    susannahbean

    ReplyDelete
  50. that's really something but it's good to know you have a positive head in your shoulders, that helps a long way!:) Definitely keeping you guys in our preayers :]

    Love and Rockets,
    Mayra

    ReplyDelete
  51. wow, just reading this now. what a sad and awful thing to happen. i would have never thought that this happened to you... <3

    ReplyDelete

HEY! Thanks for dropping by. xo KB