During the evening of July 15, 2009, a line of heavy thunderstorms moved west to east through most of the northern sections of Tennessee. A portion of the line stalled over Overton County, where an estimated nine and one-half inches of rain fell in a four-hour period, with four inches falling between the hours of 9:00 pm and 10:00 p.m.
Overton County is located in the northeast portion of middle Tennessee, near the Kentucky border. It is hilly terrain on the Cumberland Plateau and, therefore, not considered prone to flooding.
However, the heavy rainfall in the short time frame caused the valleys and hollows to flood. Additionally, people on the sides of the hills and mountains sustained damage from water rushing down behind their homes.
The damage estimate reported to FEMA was 200 homes damaged, with 25 homes destroyed and 30 homes with major damage. About half of the damage in Overton County occurred in the only incorporated city, Livingston. The neighboring counties of Clay and Jackson also sustained damage.
Areas most impacted
Many homes still need help cleaning up, particularly basements, and are occupied by the elderly and/or persons in poor health.
PDA Response
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is working with the Presbytery of Middle Tennessee in this response. PDA provided One Great Hour of Sharing funds at the request of the presbytery. In addition, at the request of Presbytery Executive Phil Leftwich, National Response Team member Rob Moreland provided assistance to the presbytery executive and the presbytery disaster committee. At the suggestion of Phil Leftwich, Rob contacted the First Presbyterian Church of Cookeville, Tennessee — the closest PC(USA) congregation to Overton County. The pastor of First Presbyterian Cookeville, the Reverend Pat Handlson, is also the part-time campus minister at Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville.
Plans were made to encourage students at the college to become involved in a local mission project. The Reverend Handlson will coordinate the work in Overton County and work with the college and other PC(USA) congregations in the area to help with the recovery effort.
What you can do
You can stand in the gap for disaster survivors and help the church in this response.
GIVE. The generous sharing of your financial blessings through the One Great Hour of Sharing offering and special designated giving provides the resources needed to assist with immediate emergency needs, cleanup provisions, long term and unmet needs, and spiritual/emotional counseling.
Individuals may give through their local Presbyterian congregation, on the secure PC(USA) Web site, or by sending their check to:
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
P.O. Box 643700
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700
Please include the special designated giving account DR000015–U.S. Disaster Response.
Congregations should send donations through their normal mission giving channels.
ACT. Stay informed and share information on the need with others. Sign up to receive PDA-RIN email notices to alert you of additional needs.
PRAY. Please continue in prayer for the members and leadership of the Timnath Presbyterian Church and for the community of Timnath, Colorado. |
