United Methodist men haul the possessions of Millie White from the home to the street following 13.5 inches of rain that fell on the Nashville community on the weekend beginning May 1. Photo by Tim Grabbe

NASHVILLE, Tenn. –– Teams of UM men and women can be found everywhere in this flood devastated city.

Members of 61st Avenue UMC helped clean out the home of Millie White, a 75-year-old member who lives across the street from a stream that flooded the entire Westside community. Every possession, including all her clothing, television sets, couches, bed, and tables, was put on the streets as trash. Volunteers tore out the carpets and mopped out the water. All wall boards, flooring and baseboards will have to be replaced if she is ever to live in the home again. A handicap ramp built by men of First UMC in Franklin was twisted in the storm, but it is still useable.

Members of hard-hit Bellevue UMC handed out lunches to volunteers mucking out homes in that area. “I have no idea how many lunches we prepared, but we used 30 loaves of bread from Sunday to Thursday,” said the Rev. Debbie Tyree, pastor of the 800-member congregation. The church plans a work day on Saturday to aid flood victims.

 “The number of donations has been amazing,” said Tyree. “It’s like the loaves and fishes.” The church is now asking for bottled water, disposable cameras for folks to record damage for FEMA, Playtex gloves, and hand sanitizers.

The church also invites flood victims to use their phone and computers, and it provides information sheets to keep track of church families. In addition, the church housed six people each night from Sunday through Thursday.