Bradley County, Tennessee: Tornado Update

When a strong cold front came roaring through Tennessee on Wednesday, the local weatherman warned us it was coming and it would be very bad. Although our area of Tennessee is not high on the tornado probability list, we've had a few in the last few years, but Wednesday the record book was changed permanently.

The first round of storms hit early, around 9 am and it was loud and very windy. Once the storm ended the sun came out and it turned into a beautiful day. Until all hell broke out that is.

When the Channel 3 weatherman said to get to your "safe place", he meant it. And that was only the beginning. Three times my husband, Abby and I went to the basement. We waited each time until we were told the storm had moved on. It was windy but being in the basement it didn't seem very loud to us. We had no way of knowing what was happening all around us.

The last storm was the loudest with lots of thunder and lightening and the noise was deafening. It seemed to last for an hour or more. Finally, sometime around 11:30 pm it was over. The cold front came through and the bad weather was gone. It was calm outside and I was proud that I remained calm throughout the whole evening.

Our power went out about 7 pm so we had to improvise a cup of coffee this morning. My husband made coffee on the grill, using an old per-type coffee pot. It was strong, but it sure tasted good.

We had toured out yard and all was well, a few leaves here and there, but that was about it. But no power meant the food in the fridge was going to be trash if we didn't find a way to keep a few things cool. We figured we would go to the grocery store and buy ice.

So we headed to Cleveland , and 3 miles from here it looked like a war zone. There were trees that looked like they had been torn off by giant hands. There were wires all over the road as well as pieces of roofing material in the median and the Tennessee State Troopers were directing traffic at intersections. We decided it was best to head back home and not get in the way.

Instead of taking the same highway back home, we decided to take a back road...big big mistake. As soon as we got on Benton Pike the scenes that played out were total destruction. Good Samaritans were helping by removing huge trees from the road. We hoped the dangling wires above our heads were not live wires.

You could see the sadness and sorrow on the faces of everyone we drove by. The look we saw the most was of shock. There is one home in particular that everyone around here is aware of. It is next to the golf course on Benton Pike. It is a large brick home that is set up on a hill and it can be seen for miles and we all remember what it looked like before. Now, most of the roof is gone and the beautiful home is now a shell of its former self. I hope the family is safe.

We continued on toward our home and we continued to see huge old trees that had fallen across the road. By that point I lost it totally. I couldn't stop crying, and even now, hours later, the tears are flowing.

We were spared, we are safe and sound. Our home was spared. But three short miles from here the people weren't so lucky. Their lives have changed and will probably never be the same. In Bradley County the death toll stands at 9. There were 5 tornadoes. Bradley County is my home and it will be back!

It could have been worse, it could have been extremely worse. My prayers go out to all the lives that were touched by this horrible weather event. For those who made it, good for you! To all that didn't make it, rest in peace.

This may be a little rough around the edges, but I had to get it out. Now I understand why people have a need to talk about bad experiences. Maybe by sharing the sorrow, it lightens the burden, as there truly is strength in numbers. Thanks to all who have checked on us and worried about us here in the south.