Page 6 - May-June 2020 Vol38 No1
P. 6
NASHVILLE by Cortnye Stone
In Twisters’ Aftermath, Music City’s
People Stand Nashville Strong
My fiancé Ryan shook me awake from My first thought in the moment that Nashville Public Works crews began
what clearly was a deep sleep. I could hear followed was work. I needed to call our coordinating with emergency responders
the frantic click of my dogs’ toenails on Assistant Director, Phillip Jones, but I to close roads and intersections and
the hardwood floors. It was unusual for us hesitated for about 30 seconds. Phillip provide support to the fire and police
to be awake after midnight. might not even be in town. His daughter departments.
had given birth to his newest grandchild
“I think a tornado has hit Nashville, and that day, and he had gone to be with I got up after a couple hours of tossing
I think it’s headed for us,” Ryan said. “We family. and turning and apprehensively looked
need to get down to the basement.” He outside. The weather couldn’t have been
sounded more worried than I remember I called anyway. Phillip, slightly groggy, more beautiful. The sun was making
him ever sounding. answered. (Phillip always answers.) everything on my street sparkle, and the
“Hello?” he said. sky was brilliantly blue.
By the time I gathered my thoughts,
he checked his phone again to find the “Are you in town? I think a tornado just The gorgeous day felt unfair given
tornado had in fact hit East Nashville, hit Nashville, and I have the news on and I the horror that had come right before.
after ripping a hole in North Nashville, but think it might be bad,” I replied. My drive to work required me to take
we knew it hadn’t hit our home. We never an hour-long labyrinth-like tour of East
made it down to the basement but we “I’m home. Just got back and laid my Nashville’s damage. The shards of dark
were safe. The tornado was moving east to head down 20 minutes ago. I’m getting up and dead trees shooting up against the
Donelson and Hermitage. though and heading in,” Phillip said. And blue sky made the neighborhood feel
in the early hours of the morning, Metro
12
56
6 TPW May/June 2020
