A River Ran Through it: The Aftermath Behind Acorn Court in Kingston Springs

Posted by kingstonsprings on May 20, 2010 · 4 Comments 

Robert Hall stands at the root base of one of the largest Sycamores in the area. Just one of the many trees felled in his back yard by the rushing waters which carried his neighbors' houses away.

Robert Hall and his wife Terry have lived on Acorn Court in Kingston Springs for almost 16 years. They, like many others, were drawn to South Cheatham County by its natural beauty. Their cape cod-style home is nestled on a quiet cul-de-sac  in the Woodlands neighborhood off of Harpeth View Trail.

Robert and Terry’s backyard was once a refuge for Tennessee wildlife from deer and raccoons to wild turkey and bald eagles. A gentle spring-fed creek which usually ran no deeper than a foot meandered through the back of their property. On the other side stood a heavily-treed rock bluff, too steep to build on. They and their neighbors enjoyed the privacy and serenity of Acorn Court, until the rains came.

“There were 10-foot white caps” said Robert who watched three of their neighbors’ homes float down the raging river which ripped through their backyard during the May 2010 flood.

Massive devastation where green grass and trees once stood in the backyards of residents of Acorn Court in Kingston Springs..

“I was able to see the houses floating by from our sunroom.” said Terry. “I wish I had video-taped it, but we were in the process of evacuating and trying to get all of our stuff upstairs or in our cars. My heart was beating so fast. The water was so loud. It just sounded like rapids. The trees would sway and then pop, really loud pops.”

Huge trees were uprooted, knocked over, and destroyed when the Harpeth River changed course and ran where a tiny spring-fed creek was once the only moving water in the area.

By now many have seen images of the houses that were flooded and swept away, but few have witnessed the destruction behind Acorn Court where much of the debris ended up.

Debris from at least three Kingston Springs households is now buried and littered about the backyards of Acorn Court residents.

Everything from pieces of people's houses and trees to silverware and children's toys are stacked and strewn behind Acorn Court.

Muddy baby toys are stacked between housing debris behind Acorn Court.

“And this is what it looks like after 2 1/2 weeks of cleaning.” explained Robert as he walked over the 10-15 feet of deposited rock, piles of trash, and downed trees.

The contents of at least 3 people’s homes are buried in this rock and still strewn about the landscape.

Last Saturday, Robert was joined by volunteers deployed from Red Tree Coffee as part of their continuing efforts to help flood survivors in South Cheatham County.

“They were wonderful. The volunteers made piles of the trash they could pick up. But this is just too big. We need help.” said Robert.

"And this is what it looks like after 2 1/2 weeks of cleaning." Robert Hall

Wires, building materials, pipes, and other household debris behind Acorn Court.

“It’s devastating. It completely destroyed our back yard. Every time I look at it, it makes me sick to my stomach. It looks like a city dump. I hate to say that because I know it’s so tragic for the people who lost their homes. We don’t know how it ended up in our backyard. Even though we didn’t lose our home, it feels like a loss. Our land was destroyed. It’s never going to be the same again.” said Terry.

"Our land was destroyed." Terry Hall

Natural devastation behind Acorn Court.

Even though the flood destroyed their property, The Hall’s have been told they are not eligible for FEMA assistance because their home did not sustain water damage.

Kingston Springs city Mayor John McLeroy and State Representative Phillip Johnson have visited their property, but the Halls are not sure at this point who (if anybody) is going to address the massive large-scale clean-up.

The fallen trees, deposited rock, and debris have created dams which are blocking the flow of water.

"It's going to flood again if this isn't cleared out of here." -Robert Hall

“It’s going to flood again if this isn’t cleared out of here.” said Robert who holds a BA in Geology from The University of Tennessee and works for the  Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation in the division of water supply.

In addition to the natural devastation, the smell of sewage is thick in the air due to a damaged pumping station along the creek. Black water (sewage) is emptying out into the creek.

Severely damaged pump station behind Acorn Court.

“We can only be outside for so long.” said Terry. “It’s really bad. Even with all of our windows closed you can still smell it.”

"It's really bad. Even with all our windows closed you can still smell it." -Terry Hall

The Halls do not know when the Second South Cheatham Utility District pumping station will be fixed.

Black water sewage spilling into the creek bed behind Acorn court.

Robert Hall has spent his available hours since the flood trying to salvage people’s belongings from the ruins behind his home. If he finds something of value he takes it to the lost and found in downtown Kingston Springs.

“I found a plastic storage bin of clothing full of clothes that were all dry.” said Robert. “I also found a suitcase that was in good condition.”

Robert said there are people in and out of the site daily rummaging through the wreckage. But there is no telling what is buried beneath the tons of rock which now stretches for at least a quarter mile where green grass and trees once stood. Robert has found practically everything in his back yard including: lawn mowers, garage door openers, dish washers, toilets, record albums, silverware, wiring, siding, boards and nails, furniture, children’s toys, and so much more.

Household items litter the landscape. Mattresses adorn tree tops which sit high above on the bluff. Major household appliances are everywhere: buried in the rubble and dotted along the cliff face.

One Kingston Springs said there is even talk that someone’s missing Camero might be buried somewhere in the rubble behind Acorn Court.

A little red wagon amongst the ruin behind Acorn Court.

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