James Martin did all he can to save his pregnant wife and unborn child. "They are all that matters," he said as the couple managed to seek refuge at a neighbor's rooftop. Meanwhile, the pregnant couple lost their two cars to the Nashville flood and even the baby's nursery needs to be fixed up again.
Pregnant Couple in Third Trimester
James' wife Katelyn Martin, a teacher at St. Bernard's Academy is eight months pregnant. Preparations are being made for the baby's arrival in the first week of May. Katelyn's mother has just left the city after helping her with the nursery. But just as the nursery was finally finished, floodwaters swept the Paragon mills community alongside a creek where the couple lives. The same community also witnessed floods in 2010, but the calamity now brought more destruction, WRBL reported.
Husband and Pregnant Wife Flee Home
The couple went to bed just after 11 pm. At around 1 am, floodwaters rushed into their home, waking up the pair with the sound of water entering their bedroom. Katelyn checked the nursery and started stacking the baby's things inside the crib.
James noted how it only took a few minutes for the water to go from wet spots on the floor to the point where it covered the electrical outlets. At this point, the couple decided it was not safe to stay at home. The rooms were covered in nearly 14 inches of water which destroyed many rooms, including the nursery. They placed important documents and drinking water inside backpacks and left the house. "As soon as we opened the front door, water rushed inside and the water was so cold like it locked you up," James noted. "The floodwater was flowing and reached my belly button already," Katelyn added.
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The Miracle That Kept Them Going
The couple held on to each other. The floodwaters were strong and there were things in the water like fences, wood, and gates that could hit them. Finally, the couple made it to a neighbor's two-story home, used a bucket and a flower bed, and climbed to the rooftop where they stayed for 2 hours as they waited for rescue and the water level to subside. At the time, it was too dangerous for rescue teams or the Metro police to reach them because the floodwaters were too deep.
Then it happened, the 8-months pregnant Katelyn felt the baby in her stomach kick. James was near tears as he remembered that moment noting how that the only thing that mattered to him was his wife and baby. "We cried while hugging each other and thanking God we were okay," James told WSMV.
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Life after the Nashville Flood
Now, everything the couple has left fits one storage unit container. Yet the pair is grateful for the help and support they have received from their community. Every day, a member of their community reaches out to provide storage needs, shelter, meals, or anything the couple might need. James' sister Januarie Eaves also started a GoFundMe to raise $40,000 for the couple.
There is outpouring support for this young family. Eaves thanked the donors, and updated them on the couple's safety adding that "their lives matter more than things, yet my heart is broken for their family and this is our way of helping." Insurance companies have also been helping out. The couple is currently staying at a friend's home.
