Waverly, Tenn — August 2021 Flood Recovery

All future volunteer opportunities with BDM will require new safety protocol and consent forms beyond what was previously in place as we strive to provide volunteer opportunities in this COVID-19 environment. The Covid-19 Informed Consent Agreement must be signed and returned with the Volunteer Registration form at least 2 weeks before arriving at the project location.

Overnight Volunteers use this form: https://www.cognitoforms.com/ChurchOfTheBrethren1/bdmconsentformovernight

On August 21-23, 2021, a line of storms and rain moved through middle Tennessee causing catastrophic, flash flooding impacting the counties of Dickson, Hickman, Houston, and Humphreys. It is reported that over 17 inches of rain fell in 24 hours, sending large amounts of water rushing, including to areas that did not see the most rainfall.

About 60 miles west of Nashville, the city of Waverly (population 4,000), experienced the most impact of this rain as runoff from upstream on the Trace Creek headed west through this town. Local partners report that it only took about twelve minutes to wash away cars, cell towers, bridges, roads, and hundreds of homes. The rushing water caused the death of 20 community members, including four children under the age of seven.

FEMA has approved 954 families for Individual Assistance funds. Even with this assistance, Disaster Case Management in the area reports that there were still 600 families with some form of need they could not meet on their own, including 250 homes that were destroyed. Of those homes, 150 were washed completely off their foundations, leaving whole areas of the community with only foundations and yards visible.

A BDM site opened in Waverly, Tenn. at the end of April 2022. It is anticipated that this work will continue there at least through the end of the year.

BDM will serve qualified families identified by the Humphreys County Long Term Recovery Group through their Disaster Case Management operations.

Media Coverage and Videos of the Flooding and Aftermath

2021 in review: Impact of the Waverly flood can still be felt

20 dead after catastrophic flooding in Middle Tennessee | WBOY.com

Overview of media coverage from the event
How the Tennessean staff covered the deadly Waverly, Tennessee flooding

Gallery of pictures including the flooded schools
GALLERY: Catastrophic flooding in Humphreys County | WKRN News 2

Information on why flood insurance was not available
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/26/climate/tennessee-flood-damage-impact.html

Find information here about what the Waverly TN Project currently looks like with COVID-19 protocol in place. If you are serving later in the year, please check back as changes may occur base on the COVID-19 environment at the time.

Find the most up to date schedule here.

Housing

Volunteer housing will be located at the Waverly Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Common gathering areas are on the ground floor with sleeping rooms in the basement or the second floor. There will be several shower trailers available for use. Job sites will be 5-15 minutes drive away.

Waverly Cumberland Presbyterian Church
109 N Church St, Waverly, TN 37185

Mailing Address:

Waverly Cumberland Presbyterian Church
ATTN: BDM/recipient name
109 N Church St
Waverly, TN 37185

Contact

Email: BDMwaverlytn@gmail.com

Meals

Meals are prepared in the church kitchen. Volunteer groups are asked to include an assistant household leader/cook. Volunteers will be asked to help with kitchen cleanup.

The closest locations open for larger groups are in Dickson or Clarksville before you arrive in Waverly. Openings in and availability of restaurants in Waverly is still periodic and not guaranteed due to staffing and supply issues, and impact from the flood.

Work

The type of work in Waverly and Humphreys County includes repairs and rebuilding from August 2021 flash flood damage. This includes major repairs such as replacement of floors, insulation, drywall, porches etc. Some new builds may be completed as many homes were washed off their foundations. Tools, vehicles, and leadership are provided.

There is also some clean-up still needed in the community if volunteers are willing to help. Due to the extent and impact of the flooding, it is recommended that all volunteers are up to date on their tetanus shot especially if helping with clean-up is an option.

Travel

Groups must send registration forms, COVID-19 Informed Consent Forms and mode of travel plans to BDMwaverlytn@gmail.com at least 2 weeks prior to your scheduled trip. The COVID-19 Consent Form must be received BEFORE the volunteer LEAVES HOME for the trip or they will not be able to travel to the site.

BDM Safety Guidelines for Traveling Safety During Covid-19

Upon arrival, BDM Project Leaders will welcome you and collect any incomplete paperwork. They will orient you to the project, covering such topics as house rules, work schedule, safety, tools, daily devotions, expectations, etc. Orientation does not begin until all participants arrive.

Driving

Arrival time for volunteers on Sunday evening will be between 6:00 pm and 6:30 pm with volunteer groups having eaten supper BEFORE arrival in Waverly. There are very few restaurants in the small town that are open with room for large groups. There are many dining options along the way with the closest being in Dickson or Clarksville depending on your driving route.

Driving directions:

Driving directions can be obtained by reaching out to the BDM office.

Overnight Housing Options

Overnight housing options have been identified for those traveling from the East that would break up daily travel times to this project.  Virlina DDCs, Ed & Susan McKimmy, have found several locations in or near Salem, VA, close to I-81. Ed & Susan are the contact persons for those interested in arranging these accommodations.  Interested groups should contact them first via email at least 3 weeks prior (or earlier as you are aware of the need) at: virlinaddrc@gmail.com. They will work directly with the team in making these arrangements.

Contact Kim if you have any questions or problems in making these arrangements or if you need similar help from another area of the country. Sunday arrival time to the project would stay the same for the site and this would not allow for an early arrival time. You can email Kim at kgingerich@brethren.org or call her direct line at 410-635-8730, (email is preferred).

Flying

The closest airport is Nashville International Airport (BNA) in Nashville, around 1 hr and 30 mins away. Please provide flight itineraries for each person flying.

Plan to arrive or be picked up on Sunday between 4:00 and 5:00pm. Project leaders can do one airport run between these hours only if needed. Please try to coordinate all members of the group to arrive at or near the same time. Groups flying into any other airport will need to find their own transportation to the project site.