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As most of you know, Nashville and the surrounding areas were hit over the weekend with anywhere from eight to sixteen inches of rain. We had around fifteen inches in our backyard. Two of the main rivers that surround Nashville, the Cumberland and the Harpeth, went well beyond flood stages. Highways are closed, hundreds of roads and houses remain feet under water, and thousands of people have been impacted by this unexpected weather event.

There are many ways one can respond to crisis, and depending on the circumstance, sometimes what works best in one situation doesn’t work the best in another. I’ll share a bit from what I’ve learned from Red Cross disaster and aid training, and I’d love for you to share anything you’ve learned about helping out in the comment section.

LOCAL DISASTERS:
If a local disaster occurs (weather, fire, etc.) typically the first day is the day when city officials and emergency management organizations are assessing the issues. LET THEM. Trained professionals like the National Guard, local police, fire, and EMS and military are performing any rescues that need to happen.

When this emergency response is happening effectively (proper communication is happening between officials and the media and public), it’s best to do whatever the officials tell you to do. You may want to jump in your car and dig through the rubble of a neighborhood that was hit by a tornado, but without the trained emergency responders there giving direction, you may cause more harm than good. Do you know if the gas lines have been turned off or if the buildings are stable enough to enter?

Of course there will always be moments when we need to run into a situation even if a procedure hasn’t been set up, but these should be the exceptions. Bottom line? When good emergency management and communication is occurring, it’s best to follow their instructions.

In the case of a local emergency, how can you help?

(*Before attempting anything, always look at the situation and assess if it’s safe for you to enter!)

Neighborhood:

• Visit neighbors, especially elderly or sick, to see if they are safe or need anything.
• Offer your home for the displaced in your community
• Host a gathering with food for people nearby where it’s not a danger for people to venture out
• Bring water or snacks to emergency responders and thank them
• Watch for official statements, and communicate them to neighbors who may not have access to TV or the internet

Community:

• Follow instructions from emergency management on travel safety and how to volunteer. In the case of the Nashville flooding, if people volunteer outside of the official “Hands on Nashville” initiative, it will actually hurt Nashville, as assistance from FEMA is given through Hands on Nashville.
• As long as emergency operations are running smoothly, don’t go rogue. Again, so many times in press conferences I kept hearing about how legitimate water rescuers had to rescue Good Samaritans who don’t know how to do water rescues, and the people who really needed help had to wait longer.
• Follow official instructions. (Did I say that already?) There are reasons for this.
• Call the local Red Cross or whatever organization is set up as the official responder. They will be able to guide you to volunteer in the most effective way because they are the ones who know not only the needs, but the priorities of the needs.
• Find out what supplies you personally can donate in the long run to help (clothes, food, etc.).
• Organize events in your community or church to collect supplies or donations.

I highly encourage anyone who feels the pull to help when emergencies arise to sign up at your local Red Cross for disaster relief training, as well as first aid and CPR. These classes take time and cost a little money, but they will have you ready to assist when disaster strikes. Find a group of people at your office or your church to take classes with you. I promise you the skills you will learn will be invaluable.