By Lulu Kohler / Editor-in-Chief
Just over a month ago, winter storm Fern swept Nashville and surrounding areas off their feet. Trees down, power going out and roads slick with ice, the city faced a crisis in a way it has not had to in years. Yet, in the midst of such chaos and calamity, the community came together.
On Saturday Jan. 23rd, snow fell from the sky and coated everything the eye could see, turning our world into a winter wonderland of sorts. The first proper snow of the year is undeniably exciting, and the prospect of going sledding with
friends or the coziness of a warm hot chocolate with marshmallows is a nostalgic experience like no other. However, the storm had other plans. The following afternoon, after an anticipated yet underestimated sprinkle of rain, the magical wonderland was sealed in a glass-like case of ice.
Going into the storm, tensions were already high. Although it is not unusual to get a snow storm or two during Nashville winters, meteorologists across the country were discussing Fern as if doomsday was approaching. The concept of the damage and obstacles it could create was scary enough, let alone what actually came as a result of its presence.
Between the low temperatures and the icy coating glazing everything in its path, much began to fall apart. Literally. Trees and their limbs were falling at unprecedented rates, taking out roofs and power lines. Even when falling into an empty field, the crack and crash of Nashville’s incredible nature and decades-old trunks echoed across town. Pipes burst or froze, and, according to Nashville Electrical Services, over a quarter of a million homes were without power.
Despite its best efforts, winter storm Fern could not keep Nashville apart. Instead, friends, families and businesses bonded to help one another through the challenges, creating an atmosphere of gratitude and hope over one of defeat.
Throughout the peak of the storm, many Honeybears hunkered down together to lighten the sometimes literal darkness of the circumstances. Among the many small groups were 14 Harpeth Hall seniors, including Simmons Bone and Landry Boswell, as well as other members of the Bone family.
Boswell said, “My fondest memory is probably getting to call everyone sister, brother, mom and dad.” To which, Bone continued, “Everyone really did just become a part of my family.”
Their day-to-day life was made up of family-style home cooked meals, doing dishes, cleaning the rooms and enjoying one another’s company. From playing in the snow at a nearby golf course to divvying up household chores and grocery shopping, the girls found balance and routine amidst the unpredictable nature of the storm.
“We had no cell service or wifi, so we just talked to one another all day and ran around switching rooms to keep ourselves from going insane,” said Boswell. “As a group, it helped us bond so much.”
While the 14 girls who came together at the beginning began to return home, their time with one another was invaluable in pulling each other through the storm.
Bone reflected, “It was so much fun; it was almost like we were at camp. It was good to share space with someone — or many people — for almost an entire week, especially going into college. It is hard to find time for all of us to hang out as an entire group, so it was really special.”
Meanwhile, Nashville’s businesses made it possible to maintain connectivity for those who were trapped for days on end. People found outlets, both electronically and emotionally. Local stores like Green Hills Nutrition and Brown’s Diner created the opportunity to help one another through the cold.
Green Hills Nutrition founder and owner Angela Elliot said, “The storm caused us to lose power for nearly an entire week, which obviously caused us to temporarily close for almost that entire time.”
Despite technical difficulties, including the power outage alongside halts in receiving a necessary supply shipment from Memphis, the beloved beverage shop skated through the obstacles ahead. In the middle of the darkest days, the workers opened up shop.
“We went in for two hours after putting a poll out on instagram to see if anyone would want drinks, and it was so packed in there,” said Elliot. “It was fun, it was crazy, it was madness and chaotic. I think we were all going stir crazy because we didn’t know how long it would all last. Just seeing everyone come together was so magical.”
While the brief opening began as a way to use up ingredients and ice, it became something much greater. Green Hills Nutrition acted as a haven of sorts. For mothers, daughters and everyone in between, the space provided an escape from the seemingly neverending issues and isolation and instead sparked the warmth of joy, relief and community.
Across town, one of Nashville’s go-to restaurants and oldest hotspots did what it does best: serving up hot meals around tables full of loved ones and laughter. Brown’s Diner, located in the Hillsboro-West End area and established almost a century ago in 1927, is known for its hearty breakfasts, delicious wings and classic, grilled food. Many think of it as one of the core institutions of the city.
When the restaurant, like so many others, lost power for the duration of the storm, it did not hesitate to give back to its generations of supporters. With tables set up both inside and in the parking lot of the establishment, the workers prepared to host a free cookout for absolutely anyone who could make their way to it. For five hours on both Jan. 29 and 30, families lined up among strangers for a classic hot dog, cheese burger or anything else that the diner needed to cook up before its expiration.
Like in Green Hills Nutrition, while the practical need to minimize food waste was the original motivator for these cookouts, Brown’s Diner was able to recreate its quintessential buzz and welcomeness in the freeze. People showed up and showed out for their beloved, tried and trusted institution. Everyone who showed up and supported the pop-ups is proof of the necessity and power of a shared meal.
However, in the wake of winter storm Fern, not everything is entirely evergreen. A number of Nashville parks are still closed due to the sheer amount of fallen timber. Metro Parks is working hard to reopen the trails and shared spaces, like damaged playgrounds and greenways, but as limbs continue to fall and trees obscure paths, the reminder of the storm’s icy carnage remains. Many frequent runners and walkers have volunteered in the aftermath to help clear these light-filled spaces.
As people continue to address the fallout of the chaos and regain their footing in these upcoming weeks, the spirit and love Nashvillians found among one another will live on. The damage caused is undoubtedly scary, but the community came together in uncertainty, providing necessary support when there was no clear plan on how to start moving forward. The embers of Nashville’s “ice age” will not be forgotten, even as the warmer months dawn a new day.
