Flood Warning: Phipps Pharmacy Takes Action | Pharmacy Podcast Nation

On August 21, 2021, a tragic flash flood took the lives of 20 residents and displaced over 500 families in Humphreys County Tennessee. Phipps Pharmacy had recently purchased a pharmacy in the small town of Waverly with only a population of 4000 in Humphreys County.   On the Saturday morning of the flood, local residents gathered outside and ultimately inside as the flood waters climbed to within 50 yards of Phipps Pharmacy as the rains continued from overnight. Our Pharmacy Doctors, Drs. Kayla and Bri spent the morning listening to patients tell stories of how they quickly escaped the rising water. The initial stories of escaping the flood by the Waverly residents quickly turned to hearing of family members who were swept away and pets that were left trapped in the raging waters. The Phipps Pharmacy staff took the time to listen and take care of our patients on that Saturday morning but had no idea of the magnitude of the flooding. The following day, a Sunday, Dr. Jay Phipps and his family purchased 2 palettes of drinking water, all the deodorant and toothpaste and toothbrushes from a local retailer and headed to the pharmacy to access the need. Phipps Pharmacy is normally closed on Sundays but on this particular day the pharmacy was busy with patients searching for more than medications. They were looking for hope and someone to share their stories. Waverly was without running water and electricity both which would be challenges in the 90-degree August heat. Phipps Pharmacy has an external generator and provided a nice cool place for people to rest as well pick up some free personal hygiene items.  Phipps Pharmacy coordinated 17 donations drop off locations across middle and west Tennessee including the other 3 Phipps Pharmacy locations. Over the next 3 weekends Phipps Pharmacy staff, family members and patients assisted in distributing thousands of the donated items to the community. The items most requested were storage totes, disposable items such as toilet paper, personal hygiene products, pet food, diapers supplies and water. Lots and lots of water. Eli, Dr. Jay’s 6-year-old, handed out stuffed animals to other children giving while their families looked for necessities. The Phipps Pharmacy staff was humbled by the number of people who stopped to get clothing for funerals for their family members.  Dr. Jay reached out to many of colleagues and suppliers and the outpouring of support from the pharmacy community cross the state and nation was overwhelming. The Union University College of Pharmacy collected over $2,300 in donations which purchased supplies for the flood victims. Smith Drug Company sent a tractor trailer load of supplies that was distributed through a local shelter and Amerisource Bergen sent several shipments of needed items.  The Phipps Pharmacy staff worked a local food favorite, with Poot’s BBQ, to bring over 300 hot meals to the flood victims and relief workers in the weeks after the disaster. The owners of Poot’s were so touched by the people of Waverly that they returned to Phipps Pharmacy on Thanksgiving Day to provide another 200 dinners.  Phipps Pharmacy has also worked with local vendors to make and sell “Humphrey’s County Strong” merchandise including t-shirts, license tags and key chains. The proceeds of the sale of the Humphrey’s County Strong items are being donated to flood victims.  Finally, Phipps Pharmacy is sponsoring “Clause for a Cause” toy drive this Christmas season to collect Christmas toys for the families affected by the flooding. The donated toys are being distributed to a local “Angel Tree” organization. Santa Clause is scheduled as a special guest to provide free pictures for the community.  The hours, days, weeks and months following the flooding in Humphrey’s County Tennessee have been some of the most challenging for the staff of Phipps Pharmacy. However, the Phipps Pharmacy have been blessed exponentially by community and the profession of pharmacy! Learn more ab