MICHELLE WILLARD, Post Staff Writer
Posted: Monday, April 13, 2009 2:43 pm

Sen. Lamar Alexander shakes hands with Tedder Drive resident Phillip Smith as Sen. Bob Corker and Murfreesboro Mayor Tommy Bragg look on. Smith’s home was destroyed by the Good Friday Tornado. TMP Photo by Michelle Willard

Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Bob Corker (R-TN) visited storm ravaged Murfreesboro Monday to tour damage left by the Good Friday Tornado.

The tornado, which has been upgraded to an EF-4 with wind gusts of up to 200 mph, caused an estimated $34.5 million in damage to homes and businesses along its 23.5-mile path.

The tornado also caused 42 minor injuries, 7 critical injuries and two fatalities when it ripped through northern Murfreesboro shortly after noon on Good Friday.

“We are amazed we didn’t have more fatalities with the size of the tornado and amount of time it was on the ground,” Rutherford County Emergency Management Director Roger Allen said.

The tornado damaged 794 homes. It destroyed 98 homes, severely damaged 227 and caused minor damage to 156 homes, along with damaging 23 commercial buildings.

It caused more than $34.5 million in property damage, $31.7 million to homes and $3.55 to businesses.

“With these facts, we feel very lucky we didn’t have more fatalities,” Allen said, adding RCEMA is thankful to first responders from the city and county for all their work and quick response to the tornado.

Alexander and Corker were able to see some of the extensive damage firsthand on a tour of the Regency Park and Tomahawk Drive areas.

The senators pledged to do everything in their power to gain federal assistance for local government, businesses and homeowners.

“Our job is to make sure we work with the governor (Phil Bredesen), Rep. (Bart) Gordon and the President (Barack Obama) to get your request for assistance approved,” Alexander said.

Corker agreed and said, “We're here so that when Gov. Bredesen asks for federal assistance we can help push it through.”

Alexander said he was impressed by the volunteer spirit of the community, after hearing from homeowner Phillip Smith, whose Tedder Drive home was destroyed by the twister.

“Times like these bring out best in the people of Rutherford County and Tennessee,” he said.

Smith, who lived in his home for about four years, rode out the storm in a bathroom.

“It’s not the same neighborhood when you come out,” he said about the damage to his home and those of his neighbors.

Michelle Willard can be contacted at 615-869-0816 or mwillard@murfreesboropost.com.