Stories from the April 16, 1998 Tornado

I had reported to work earlier than usual that morning. I normally did not get to see the residents in our recovery community before they went to work. Today was different, in many ways.

As the nurse at Samaritan Recovery Community,on S.4th, I knew the resident's by name, and character.This morning I had a chance to see several of them as they went off to work in the community. I recall feeling somewhat like a mother , seeing her kids off for the day. I looked at them, hoping that, " just for today", there would be no unusual events to challenge their recovery. I watched as several of them headed for the bus stop on Shelby.Those who had no money started walking, hoping to find a job. Everybody waved as they passed the big shade tree which stood as if on guard behind our big white sign, a sign which spoke of hope and sobriety for many.

Suddenly I remembered the weather forecast that I had heard earlier. I shouted out across the campus, " do you know what to do if you get caught in a tornado "? Almost as though they were a well rehearsed choir, almost in unison, their voices rang out, " yeah, run like hell". The laughter was raucous, but beautiful. They were all sober, and I just shook my head and smiled, happy to be a part of their joy,"just for today".

Later I had to go to Walgreens to pick up a resident's prescription. Normally we got our medications at Lynn's Drugstore close to us. But today was different. Often I would take a group of resident's on a walk as a part of their exercise program, when they just couldn't handle one more game of vollyball. We would walk down one side of Shelby, and back up the other side of the street to Lynn's Drugstore, pick up medication, some would purchase cigarettes, and other's would plead," Ms. Cherry, c'mon, let's not walk all over East Nashville, you know we not used to all this walking when we not using". The laughter was loud, and beautiful. They were clean. But today was different. I drove down to Walgreens on Gallatin Rd.,alone.

Walgreens was located in the little shopping center where Save-A-Lot is located. I had just sat down in the Pharmacy waiting area, in the rear of Walgreens, when I heard a loud sharp crashing sound.Immediately the lights went out in the entire building. A few of the customers were obviously startled, then confusion set in. It was seemingly just a few seconds though, before emergency lights came on. I guess it was the store manager who came through quickly, and informed us that a transformer, or something had been hit.

Soon every one began to go outside to the parking lot. I could not believe my eyes. It looked like something out of a movie. Telephone wires were down. A Port-A-Potty was in the middle of Gallatin Rd. Debris, glass,lawn furniture and tree limbs were all over the street and parking lot. Signs were laying in the street. Lights were out in several businesses. Windows were shattered. A stop light hung less than six feet off of the ground in the middle of Gallatin Rd. What would normally be a ten minute drive back to 4th and Shelby, took me 45 minutes. Traffic was diverted back off of Gallatin Rd. through alley ways, and by-ways. A large tree was blocking an intersection near Eastland.I was raised in East Nashville, but at that time I felt lost. Everything looked so eerie, and unfamiliar.

When I finally reached the center I was shocked. The huge old shade tree that once stood guard in the front yard of the center was down. Jagged edges stuck out showing that it put up a good fight to maintain it's post. It's thick, elongated roots were unearthed, leaving a hole that was abysmal at best. Lights were out, and debis and other trees were strewn about. Today was different.

All residents and staff were accounted for. We lit candles, planned for emergency off campus housing, and thanked God that we were all safe...and clean and sober...just for today.



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