Good Friday Tornado upgraded to EF-4 on The Murfreesboro Post

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Good Friday Tornado upgraded to EF-4

By: MICHELLE WILLARD, Post Staff Writer

Posted: Monday, April 13, 2009 2:43 pm

Good Friday Tornado upgraded to EF-4 | Tornado

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.

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Member Opinions:

By: Wandawoo on 4/13/09
I am very proud of Murfreesboro's emergency response services - all of you did a wonderful job in such an immediate and devastating occurence. We are proud of you all. And our prayers to all those who lost a friend or family member and their homes.

By: drnitemare on 4/14/09
I just hope that the poorer people that have been displaced by the tornadoes get as much help and coverage as the people in these richer neighborhoods which are the only places I have seen the news media and political leaders. Most of the people where the damage hit hardest are well to do and they have home owners insurance.

By: Duvics on 4/14/09
drnitemare has an agenda today, doesn't he?

By: arlbigdaddy on 4/14/09
I wouldn't call any of the neighborhoods "rich". Even the "well-to-do" suffer too.

By: tnbigfoot55 on 5/7/09
Now that we are in the "insurance adjusters phase" i wonder how many homeowners are going to have to fight to get it right.."stall and starve" is what its called. Stand your ground people, for the adjusters will try NOT pay you for all of your damages. Also be on the lookout for that letter of "NON RENEWAL"..( Just a fancy way of cancelling your policy!!!!)Yes it is legal thanks to our Tennessee insurance regulations....so contact your state house members amd lets get these laws changed for the consumer!!! I know it happened to me in 2004 after the F-3 that hit walter Hill on Mother's Day!!!

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