Collett Delk works to clean up the remains of his business.
|
|
|
Collett Delk watched as the tornado that devastated portions of Murfreesboro Friday crossed Northwest Broad Street heading towards his business on Thompson Lane.
Instead of waiting out the storm at Dreamscape Landscaping, the business he has owned and operated for some 35 years, Delk decided to flee.
His truck wouldn’t start as he watched the massive tornado take the roof off the former Cummings Signs building on the other side of Thompson Lane. Thinking fast, Delk ran behind his business, past his greenhouses to hide from the storm amidst bushes and trees in the low-lying area.
Trees slammed down around him as he tired to get out of the path of the storm.
“It was the worst (storm) I had ever seen,” Delk said, “and hopefully, it is going to be the last.”
Delk said he feels lucky to be alive today and is in good spirits despite losing most of his business.
“It did this in 15 seconds,” he said as he looked over the remains of his business that was virtually demolished. Half of his greenhouses and a number of plants made it through the storm.
Amazingly, the tornado picked up his truck that wouldn’t start and sent it flying around 150 feet. It landed upside down next door in the front lawn of Mayfield’s Floor Coverings.
Delk was likely in good spirits Saturday due the dozens and dozens of friends and strangers who volunteered to pick up the debris.
“It amazes me so many people came out to help,” he said with watering eyes.
Volunteers from such places as North Boulevard Church of Christ were there to pick up the debris from businesses along Thompson Lane. Volunteers began converging on the area Friday night. They were back at daybreak Saturday morning to begin the cleanup.
“It is just Murfreesboro. In our community that is what you see,” said Cliff Sharp, executive director of Greenhouse Ministries, of the volunteer response.
Sharp spent the weekend helping clean up at Dreamscape Landscaping, his brother-in-law’s business.
Volunteer Jimmy Fuller said he saw nothing but good after the tornado had completed its path of destruction, speaking of the hundreds of volunteers who gave up their weekend to help those in need.
April Magenson said about 120 people gathered at North Boulevard Church of Christ Saturday morning to volunteer where help was needed.
“It was unbelievable,” she said of the devastation.
Extensive damage was done to the former Cummings Signs buildings, Itnolap Pallet & Crating Inc., Stampede’s Dance Hall & Saloon and other retail centers along Thompson Lane.
“I guess this is retirement,” Delk said of his operation. “I don’t know how I am going to fare.”
The bulk of Delk’s business will likely have to be demolished.
John Mayfield, owner of Mayfield’s Floor Coverings, said his business was a complete loss as friends and volunteers picked up debris Saturday.
“It looks bad, but it definitely could have been a lot worse,” he said as he surveyed the damage.
Mayfield’s Floor Coverings has been in operation for 30 years, at the Thompson Lane location for seven years.
Mayfield weathered out the afternoon storm in the store’s bathroom.
“I got in the bathroom. That is about all that is left,” he said solemnly.
Erin Edgemon can be reached at 869-0812 and at eedgemon@murfreesboropost.com.
|
Email
Print
Digg
Facebook
MySpace
StumbleUpon
Google
Yahoo!