March 2020 Tornado – Updates & Resources for Architects

As members of the Middle Tennessee community, our hearts and thoughts go out to all of those affected by the March 3 tornadoes that devastated areas across Middle Tennessee.

The skillset of architects, like you, are invaluable in all phases of emergency management and response. Together as an architecture community, we will help our neighbors in need and continue to protect public health, safety, and welfare.

In Case You Missed It

On Tuesday, March 31, AIA Executive Director Carol Pedigo took part in a virtual Urban Design Forum hosted by Nashville Civic Design Center. The program focused on Responsibly Responding to Disasters and how we can all work toward long-term recovery from the recent tornadoes in Tennessee.

Click here to watch the discussion.

Putnam County 

TNSAVE Mission Complete!

Update – March 6, 2020

Kudos to the AE community working alongside Putnam County codes officials. We just received news that today’s group that helped perform visual evaluations of structures in Putnam county did such an amazing job that volunteers will not be deploying over the weekend.

Thank you to these amazing volunteers: Jim Pareigis, Lori Smith, Kim Chamberlin, RJ Tazelaar, Justin Fields, David Giattas, Jacene Phillips, Jordan Etters, Kenna Turner, Logan Newton, Matt Ractliffe, Randy Drake, Sonja Wilson, Rachel Gresham, Bill Robinson, Noah Stansfield, Jim Smithey, and Rick Heckel.

Many of you were looking forward to volunteering so make sure to check out Hands On Nashville for more ways to help the community.

Check out our TNSAVE’s facebook page to see more photos from today!

TNSAVE Volunteers Activated

March 5, 2020

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) activated all TNSAVE volunteers effect March 5, 2020. The Tennessee Structural Assessment and Visual Evaluation Coalition (TNSAVE) is a group of professional organizations whose objective is to help TEMA develop and maintain a post-disaster building inspector program.

TNSAVE serves TEMA and the State of Tennessee to identify and recruit, train and organize, and mobilize building inspectors following a disaster.

• Current TNSAVE Volunteers – If you are already trained as a TNSAVE Volunteer you will be contacted by email for ways in which you can engage.

• Not a Trained Volunteer? If you want to help and are not yet a trained TNSAVE volunteer, please express interest and share your availability.

Davidson and Wilson County

Update – March 5, 2020

As of March 5, 2020, city officials estimate to have completed assessments of 75% of the buildings impacted in Davidson County.

• 395 Residential properties received major damage
• 184 Commercial properties received major damage
• 100’s have received minor damage

Assessments continue in Wilson County. Major damage to multiple structures throughout the county, many homes and businesses damaged/destroyed. Significant damage reported to West Wilson Middle School and Stoner Creek Elementary. Both are reported as a total loss.