“The flood of 2010 broke records, shut down highways, cut off power, forced flight cancellations and left billions of dollars of damage” (Downey, 2010, p. 2). The Nashville Flood was devastating as it left many people without homes with their physical memories floating away, as well as jeopardizing over 600, 000 residents when the Cumberland River crested. 

Laurel Creech was to begin work as the Chief Service Officer on Monday, May 3, 2010, but was called in early to the Emergency Response Center. Laurel (2014) mentioned in her interview that she did not see the Mayor Office, where she was to work, until three weeks later. Brian William (2014), CEO of Hand on Nashville (HON) recalls Laurel Creech walking into the Emergency Response Center and quickly realizing that all the original plans have gone out the window.