Social media has amazing reach.
On Sunday, Nancy Barger, owner of the Pavilion at Hunter Valley Farm, posted that the building was flooded. By day’s end, her post and pictures had over 1,600 views, 887 shares and 694 comments.
Most writers recalled happy times at the West Knox County farm – a venue for parties and weddings.
Barger wrote:
“This is one of the most difficult posts I’ve ever had to make. Our building is completely flooded. The main dock has collapsed. Please know that we will overcome this. We need prayers, but our neighbors whose homes flooded need even more.
“I have never seen anything like this in all my 40 years.
“To all of our clients, please know that we are doing everything in our power to get everything in order. We have already filed our insurance claim and our contractor is coming tomorrow or as soon as the water recedes. We will take care of y’all!
“Please be patient with us as we try to figure this out. … We have shut all of the power off to the building which also shuts off our phones. If you need anything immediately, please email nancy@huntervalleyfarmtn.com or call our store, 865-247-4422.”
In Powell, the Community Center was flooded. Volunteers were there Sunday with push brooms, getting the water out. In my memory, the building flooded once before. That’s when Happy Harry Day had a furniture store there.
I knew Harry from his store in Halls, and I drove to Powell to take a picture. Harry was literally standing on a sofa with water all over the floor. Of course, he later had a big “flood sale,” and I was there to take his ad!
Powell neighbors must pitch in to help the high school baseball and softball teams. Both fields were flooded, and the reigning state softball champions lost their tarp and some equipment.
Darren Cardwell at Hallsdale Powell Utility District said Thursday that his big tank near Brickey-McCloud Elementary School is functioning fine. But it was full to capacity (5 million gallons) and that was before the Friday and Saturday deluge.
Cardwell said HPUD had 107 wastewater overflows in all of 2018 but already had 92 for this year. I’d venture a guess that after the weekend, he’s exceeded last year’s total already.