A local update

Interstate 40 between Hwy 70 and south/west to the Tennessee River is closed. Many 18 wheelers are parked on the side or pulling over. Our section is still flooded and E/W the on/off ramps are closed and backed up with traffic. Much of south Bellevue is still either under water or closed off for safety reasons.
IF YOU DO NOT ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO BE IN OUR TOWN PLEASE DO NOT TRY TO COME. For your own safety please wait.
AT&T (Bellsouth) is out so anyone on their system is without phone, electricity, T.V. computer or any combination thereof. (about 7,500 in our area). We are without our phone. Comcast is intermittent.
One of the two water treatment plants is out so we have been advised to conserve water.
Bellevue MS is being used to shelter people as is the JCC.
Hwy 100 from about Ensworth HS (flooded) is closed. Old Harding Pike from Sawyer Brown is closed.
TDOT is trying to keep up with everything but they are swamped.
If you are out driving please pay close attention to drivers ahead of you suddenly coming to a halt for no apparent reason. Not a good time to be gawking or talking on the cell phone.
Two of the entrances into the post office strip mall area are flooded in sections. I did not go further up because of the backed up traffic.
We run into the Pegram, Kingston Springs, Newsome Station area and it's a mess. Emergency workers are trying to evacuate people so please stay out of their way.
Most of the churches are working on ways to help their congregations and other local residents. (Our ward HPG and other leaders have done everything possible thus far to try and account for everyone in our group. Joe and Christopher are our contact people.)
Hands On Nashville is the place to contact if you want to physically volunteer http://www.hon.org/ The Red Cross also needs assistance and will always be accepting donations. Also Metro Disaster Fund will take donations http://www.cfmt.org/osc/product_info.php?products_id=161

Further out.
We are now being told that the dams are going to be bled to alleviate water pressure Nashville may experience more flooding. Police are advising people/walkers to leave the downtown area.
The US Coast Guard has arrived in the Donalson area and are getting their boats ready to evacuate people.
Oprymills Hotel evacuated about 2,000 people last night as a precaution to McGavock HS and are filling buses to try and get everyone out of the area. If you are looking for information about a loved one in that area check McGavock first since Opryland area is under water.