Tuesday, May 4, 2010

THE GREAT FLOOD OF 2010: Clarksville, Tennessee



Genesis 6:17 - "And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth..."


Dear Friends,

It began raining here in Clarksville, Tennessee early Saturday morning about 4 A.M. on May 1, 2010, and it continued raining throughout Saturday and all day Sunday. Then the waters began to rise...first it was subtle as the waters of the Red River dumped its contents into the Cumberland River and the water began to inch its way up the banks. By Sunday afternoon, many businesses located near the Red River and Cumberland River started placing sandbags around their doors. And, my favorite hangout, Kelly's Big Burger, which is open 24 hours a day and is located on Riverside Drive, closed its doors at about 6 P.M. on Sunday evening. I ventured out late Sunday evening around 11 P.M. to take some night shots of the rising water. I was temporarily detained by the Police near a business on Riverside Drive as I photographed some vehicles trapped in a parking lot amid the rising waters. On Monday morning, May 2, 2010, I again went out to document the water damage and once again I was briefly intercepted by Clarksville Police. On Tuesday morning I again left the relative safety and dryness of my home in an effort to document this historic flood...a flood of almost Biblical proportions!!! Noah, oh Noah, where were you when we needed you most...? What follows is a collection of photos that reflect the Clarksville, Tennessee flood of 2010.

You can "click" on any photo to get a larger perspective. Please pray for Clarksville and all of Tennessee.

Your Friend and Fellow "Silent Warrrior",

Bob Armistead















ABOVE LEFT PHOTO: Looking northwest from a train tressle that crosses Riverside Drive and the Cumberland River. Sunday afternoon, May 2, 2010.
ABOVE RIGHT PHOTO: Looking southwest from a train tressle that crosses Riverside Drive and the Cumberland River. The clump of trees in center-photo is the western bank of the Cumberland River. Normally, there is no water beyond those trees. Sunday afternoon, May 2, 2010.














ABOVE LEFT PHOTO: Train tressle that crosses Riverside Drive and the Cumberland River, facing west. Sunday afternoon, May 2, 2010.
ABOVE RIGHT PHOTO: A floating boat dock on the Cumberland River as seen from the pedestrian footbridge located along the edge of Riverside Drive. Sunday afternoon, May 2, 2010.















ABOVE LEFT PHOTO: This is the railraod tressle from which the first three photographs were taken. Photo taken from a pedestrian footbridge over Riverside Drive, facing south. Sunday afternoon, May 2, 2010.
ABOVE RIGHT PHOTO: The rising waters from the Cumberland River slowly creep upwards toward Riverside Drive. Photo taken from pedestrian footbridge over Riverside Drive, facing north. Sunday afternoon, May 2, 2010.






LEFT PHOTO: The Cumberland River as seen facing south. Sunday afternoon, May 2, 2010.




















ABOVE LEFT PHOTO: Paneled truck in the parking lot of the Two Rivers Mall at Riverside Drive. Photo taken about 11 P.M. on Sunday night, May 2, 2010.
ABOVE RIGHT PHOTO: This is the same paneled truck in the above-left photo. Photo taken about 10 A.M. on Tuesday morning, May, 4, 2010.















ABOVE LEFT PHOTO: This is where College Street runs into Riverside Drive, or uh, the Cumberland River. Monday morning, May 3, 2010.
ABOVE RIGHT PHOTO: This is the backside of several businesses that front Riverside Drive. People are attempting to salvage merchandise, business equipment, etc. Monday morning, May 3, 2010.

















ABOVE LEFT PHOTO: The BP gas station located on the corner of McClure Street and Riverside Drive. Monday morning, May 3, 2010.
ABOVE RIGHT PHOTO: This is where McClure Street intersects Riverside Drive. "STOP"??? Monday morning, May 3, 2010.






LEFT PHOTO: Please...don't even ask! I'm not sure if this victim has just been rescued or baptized! Monday morning, May 3, 2010



















ABOVE LEFT PHOTO: The welcome sign to the Clarksville Academy Sports Complex, which is now completely underwater. It is now known as the Clarksville Academy Aquatic Center. Monday afternoon, May 3, 2010.
ABOVE RIGHT PHOTO: The athletic field house which contains the athlete changing rooms and lockers, restrooms, and the concession stand. This sports complex is only two years old! Monday afternoon, May 3, 2010.




LEFT PHOTO: Clarksville Academy Sports Complex football stadium and bleachers under flood waters. Monday afternoon, May 3, 2010.



















ABOVE LEFT PHOTO: Intersection of College Street and Kraft Street looking toward the bridge that connects Clarksville with the community of St. Bethlehem. Tuesday morning, May 4, 2010.
ABOVE RIGHT PHOTO: Intersection of Riverside Drive, North Second Street, and Kraft Street, looking north on Highway 41-A North toward the bridge that connects Clarksville with Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. Tuesday morning, May 4, 2010.
















ABOVE LEFT PHOTO: Submerged vehicle in the Arby's parking lot on Riverside Drive. Tuesday morning, May 4, 2010.
ABOVE RIGHT PHOTO: One vehicle that didn't quite make it through the McDonald's "Float-Thru" line, I mean, the "Drive-Thru" line. Tuesday morning, May 4, 2010.
















ABOVE LEFT PHOTO: Shoney's Restaurant located at the intersection of North Second Street and Riverside Drive - home of the soggiest food in Clarksville! Tuesday morning, May 4, 2010.
ABOVE RIGHT PHOTO: O'Charley's Restaurant located on Riverside Drive. Tuesday morning, May 4, 2010.
















ABOVE LEFT PHOTO: A boat travels down the middle of Riverside Drive. In the background is "Kickers", a country music night club. Tuesday morning, May 4, 2010.
ABOVE RIGHT PHOTO: "Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds." That's the Postal Service motto - however, it doesn't say a thing about FLOODS!!! Tuesday morning, May 4, 2010.














ABOVE LEFT PHOTO: It has been reported that Clarksville, Tennessee has the largest selection of completely water-cooled used vehicles in the nation! Tuesday morning, May 4, 2010.
ABOVE RIGHT PHOTO: Another completely water-cooled vehicle in Clarksville, TN. Tuesday morning, May 4, 2010.