The flooding of May 1 – 2, 2010 was a 500 year event. With over ten inches of rain within 36 hours, the Town's infrastructure reached its limits. There were several roads that had to be closed due to flooding and numerous houses and businesses had flood damage. If you know of damage to public facilities such as roads, drain pipes, headwalls, etc, please click here to contact Smyrna Public Works for a notification form and we will work to make needed repairs. Work will be prioritized as to critical health and safety needs and we will work diligently to make the needed repair as quickly as possible. We appreciate your patience.

FEMA has declared Rutherford County a Disaster Area. If you have flood related damage, please report it to FEMA by calling 800-621-FEMA (800-621-3362) or at FEMA's web site, www.DisasterAssistance.gov. Also, please call Rutherford County EMA at 890-5519 or 890-2957.

Reporting the damage to Rutherford County EMA will allow them to compile statistics for the federal government and will assist them in obtaining federal aid. Additionally, this information will be forwarded to Smyrna Town Hall and allow us to coordinate efforts by various volunteer organizations and individuals.

Building Permit Fees Waived
The Town of Smyrna will waive fees for building / renovation permits at properties affected by the flooding. Also, the Town of Smyrna Utilities Department is waiving water and gas connection fees for flood victims who move from their damaged home to another residence within the town limits. If you have any questions, please contact the Smyrna Codes Department at 615-355-5704.

Mosquitoes
The Town of Smyrna has been in contact with the Tennessee Department of Public Health through the Emergency Management Agencies regarding mosquitoes and mosquito breeding in standing water. Areas of standing water have been reported to the state. They are assessing the need for the cakes that are placed in standing water to prevent breeding. Currently, the recommendation is for everyone to use personal repellants as the best line of defense. Click here for information from the TN Department of Health.

Volunteers Wishing to Help
For those willing and able to assist others with clean-up of flood damage, the Town of Smyrna will be facilitating connecting volunteers with those needing assistance. If you would like to volunteer, please click here and complete the online form. This information will be compiled and used to bring together those able to help with those needing help.

Free Tetanus Shots
The Rutherford County Health Department will provide free tetanus shots to citizens who are flood victims and those helping with cleanup. Their offices are located at 108 David Collins Drive and walk-ins are accepted from 8-10 a.m. and 1-3 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Legal Assistance
Legal Aid / Tennessee Bar Association have established a toll-free legal assistance hotline in conjunction with local bar associations and legal organizations throughout the state. Victims of the flood in the 21 counties that have been designated as federal disaster areas can call (888) 395-9297 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday to request assistance. Messages can be left at any time. Callers should identify they are seeking flood-related legal assistance. Those who qualify for assistance will be matched with Tennessee lawyers who have volunteered to provide free legal help.

Electric Service
If you have questions regarding your electric service, please contact Middle Tennessee Electric at (877) 777-9020.

Debris Removal Information

Residents who have registered their flood damage with Rutherford County EMA and FEMA are eligible for the Town of Smyrna to pick up flood related items that are being discarded. Place debris along the street in four separate piles - Brush, Building Materials, Appliances & Electronics, and Furniture.

For those who have not registered, a temporary Flood Convenience Center has been established at 664 Old Nashville Hwy. This location is at the city limits of Smyrna and Lavergne. Hours of operations are from 8:00 am until 8:00 pm, seven days each week and is being manned by the volunteers of Lavergne’s Box 100. The center will remain in operation for the month of May or as long as needed.

The Flood Center is for the residents affected by the flood water hauling their own items. It is not intended to be used for normal trash collection or contractors doing work for residents. The center has a container for white goods (appliances), a container for electronic waste, and containers for water damaged floor covering, furniture, and household items. Large amounts of building materials should be taken directly to the landfill.

The Flood Center is not intended for household hazardous waste items. These items should be taken to the Household Hazardous Waste Collection in Williamson County on May 8th. The contact number for this collection is (615) 790-5848. Coffee County is also having a Household Hazardous Waste Collection on May 22nd. The contact number for this collection is (931) 723-5139.

Middle Point Landfill has extended hours of operation. The are open 24 hours a day, Monday through Friday.

Rutherford County Landfill is for construction debris and landscape materials only. Most of the flood items are contaminated with chemicals in the flood water and should not be taken to Rutherford County Landfill. Rutherford County Landfill is not lined and can not accept any trash. Most of the flood items should be disposed of at Middle Point Landfill.

Brush and other vegetation should be taken to the City of Murfreesboro Florence Road facility. This facility will grind the materials into mulch.

Beware Of Disaster Scams During Tennessee Flooding Recovery

Release Date: May 25, 2010
Release Number: 1909-037

» More Information on Tennessee Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Residents in the disaster-designated counties affected by recent storms and flooding are urged to be careful of scams during recovery efforts.

"Unfortunately, some people prey on others, taking advantage of their misfortunes," said Gracia B. Szczech, Federal Emergency Management Agency Federal Coordinating Officer in charge of the recovery efforts. "We urge disaster survivors to be especially careful."

In a typical scheme, someone pretends to be employed by FEMA or other government agencies, such as the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). A FEMA or SBA shirt, jacket or hat is not proof of someone's affiliation with these agencies. Authorized personnel wear a laminated photo identification card at all times.

Imposters may ask for some form of payment or a bribe. FEMA-contracted housing inspectors assess damage but do not determine cost estimates. They do not hire or endorse specific contractors to fix homes or recommend repairs.

Consumers should know that a Social Security or bank account number will only be requested on the first phone call the applicant makes to 800-621-FEMA (3362). Online registration at www.DisasterAssistance.gov is also secure. On any follow-up calls, a FEMA representative may ask for only the last four digits of a Social Security number.

Anyone who notices suspicious activity in his neighborhood or who suspects that someone is trying to commit fraud by going door-to-door or by making contact by phone or mail should immediately call the local police at 9-1-1.

Tennesseans who suspect anyone of committing disaster fraud, whether as a contractor, inspector, or even a disaster survivor offering to do work-for-hire, or who suspect someone is posing as any of these, either in person or on the phone or on the Internet, should call the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs toll-free at 800-342-8385.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

American Red Cross - Heart of Tennessee Chapter
The Red Cross has closed teh respite care site in Smyrna, Flood victims needing Red Cross assistance should contact the American Red Cross in Murfreesboro at (615) 893-4272. They can also be contacted for those wishing to donate.