A man who was separated from his wife during a flood evacuation in South Nashville finally reunited with her.
Richard Williams said he woke up to banging on his door and jumped off his bed into water up to his knees. Meanwhile, his wife Amanda, who's in hospice care, was laying in a hospital bed in another room.
"We were telling the neighbors to come in, but every time we opened the door, more water would just gush in. It got to the point the stove and refrigerator were just floating," Amanda recalled.
Amanda said she sat on a stack of pillows to avoid the water.
Emergency crews responded to apartments along Lewis Street because of the flood. Some residents told NewsChannel 5 the water in parking lots rose up to five feet.
Responders brought some of the flood victims, including Amanda, to safety by rafts.
"I was just devastated and didn't know if we could make it out of there," Amanda said.
She was taken to the hospital, but Richard said he could not be with her immediately because of their dog. He and many others temporarily moved to a shelter in Joelton.
They eventually reunited at Richard's sister's home where they have currently been staying.
Both were grateful to be alive despite losing a majority of their belongings to the flood.
"Materialistic things can be replaced. At least we have our lives. We will prevail," Amanda added.
The family does not have insurance and chose not to go back right away because the experience was too overwhelming.
People have reached out wanting to help after Richard was interviewed on NewsChannel 5 This Morning.
If you would like to help, call 615-209-8798 or 615-961-7009.
VIDEO: We interviewed Richard Williams after he was split from his wife because of the flood. They've reunited and thankful to be safe. @NC5pic.twitter.com/bxriaJEC4D
— Matthew Torres (@NC5_MTorres) September 1, 2017
