Xceligent employees travel to Tennessee to help with flood relief efforts

Three Sedalia market analysts recently left their office building behind and got their hands dirty to help with flood relief in Tennessee.

John Ezell, Tonalea Rehmer and Misty Belsha, made up the Nashville 2010 Flood Relief Team. The trio works at Xceligent and each are in charge of accounts in Tennessee. When Ezell heard about the flooding and damage it had caused to businesses and residents, he took action.

“We felt like we should go and help out,” Ezell said.

The company financed the trip and was more than eager to help out. The group left May 18 and headed to Nashville with a vehicle and truck filled with donated items from the Sedalia area.

“There were several people in the office that wanted to go, but doing the donation drive was one way everyone could help,” Rehmer said.

In early May, the Cumberland River, which runs through Nashville, received more than 13 inches of rain and spilled into streets, homes and businesses.

“It looked like a war zone,” Rehmer said.

Streets in Nashville and Bellevue, near the River Plantation community, were scattered with toilets, clothes, sinks, refrigerators, beds and personal items.

Rehmer said the community was one of the hardest hit places in the state.

“We weren’t quite expecting what we actually saw,” Belsha said. “They literally lost everything they had.”

The group helped at an area thrift store sorting through donated items and then worked on cleaning up debris in the streets.

Belsha said many people were left without a home.

“It definitely made you appreciate what you have,” Rehmer said.

Roads and parking lots also were damaged as water rushed underneath. The group said some areas looked like an earthquake hit instead of a flood.

Rehmer said people were very appreciative of their efforts and she was surprised by their positive attitude.

“The community pulled together to overcome and had tremendous strength,” Rehmer said.

The group came back to Sedalia on May 22.

“It was definitely an experience,” Ezell said.

Although the river has receded, Ezell said it may take months for residents to clean up and fully recover.