The story of major flooding in Nashville last week got very little national news coverage relative to the scope of the disaster that occurred there. If you only have a scant idea of the extent of this natural disaster, just go online to look at the photos and videos of the damage. It’s the worst flood I’ve ever seen outside of a hurricane.
CNN reported that 23 people died in the floods. Sources said some of the deaths occurred while people were stranded in their cars on the interstate. The federal government declared 42 counties as disaster areas. Nashville Mayor Karl Dean estimated $1.5 billion or more in flood damages to the city itself.
 
It was also reported that as of Sunday, May 9, as many as 17,000 people had requested assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
 
Today the Electronic Security Association, jointly with the Tennessee Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (TBFAA), distributed a plea to the security industry for assistance. I encourage those who can, to help by making a donation or by contacting TBFAA to see if there are other ways you can help members who were affected.
 
The message from TBFAA follows:
 
Several of our members have lost everything they own in the floods that ravaged Tennessee recently. Many people have stepped up and offered physical and emotional help and many more have asked what they can do.
 
The Tennessee Burglar and Fire Alarm Association (TBFAA) will respond to its members’ needs with financial assistance from its Benevolence Fund.
 
If you would like to donate money to help those members in need, please send a check made out to TBFAA to:
TBFAA
P.O. Box 150062
Nashville, TN 37215
 
Please be sure to write “Benevolence Fund Donation” in the memo line. Also, please call TBFAA executive director Penny Brooks at (615) 791-9590 to let her know your donation is coming so the chapter can disburse the funds to those who need it as soon as possible.
 
Please pray for strength for those who desperately need it.
 
Thank you,
Electronic Security Association and Tennessee Burglar and Fire Alarm Association