Homeowners of tornado-stricken properties in Nashville advised not to sell
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- It's already upsetting enough, an EF-3 tornado packing winds up to 163 miles an hour, ripping up trees, snatching off roofs, changing lives forever. The hundreds of residents, mostly elderly on fixed income have lost enough.
“She doesn't have electricity right now,” said Waneka Logan, who’s mother lives off D.B. Todd, Jr Blvd., where the tornado destroyed hundreds of homes.
Logan worries that now, another storm is brewing.
“Don't sell it. Don't let them come in and try to gentrify it. Keep it the way that it is,” said Logan.
She's praying her mother's landlord doesn't sell. Meanwhile, community group, The Equity Alliance is making sure they don't
“It's disgusting. I have talked to so many resident, one who her whole roof was off of her house and a developer was standing outside. She was trying to salvage the last memorable items and they were hounding her about selling her house,” said co-founder and co-director of TEA.
Johnson and Charlane Oliver, co-founder and executive director of TEA, called for 300 volunteers to help canvass North Nashville Sunday. They urged homeowners to seek current options for help such as FEMA assistance and help from the McGruder Center which is offering free rebuilding assistance before selling. More than 600 volunteers answered the call to canvass. TEA had to turn people away. They are asked to return over the next three weekends to continue canvassing.
“We've seen developers and contractors riding around trying to go up to people to see if they want to sell their homes,” said Johnson.
Even Mayor John Cooper is asking homeowners to consider other options before selling.
“We don't want anyone displaced by this tornado, forced in to a different community, away from their own community because of a storm,”
But if that happens, Logan says she and her sister will make sure mom is taken care of.
TEA is hosting a homeowners meeting Monday from noon to 6 p.m at Lee Chapel, 1200 D.B. Todd Jr Blvd.
