LISA MARCHESONI
Posted: Sunday, April 12, 2009 7:58 am

Tomahawk Trace resident Doug Dennis shows the devastation to his house. Four upstairs bedrooms were exposed.

Sounds of an approaching freight train prompted Doug Dennis to grab covers, crawl into the downstairs bathroom and pray.

The tornado that devastated his house lasted about 10 seconds, “the most intense 10 seconds of my life,” Dennis recalled. “I’m just glad to be alive.”

Dennis called 911 for help and immediately checked on his neighbor who uses a wheelchair. The neighbor was not injured.

His home was one of many homes damaged or destroyed when the tornado twisted though his neighborhood off Haynes Drive.

The tornado winds blew the doors open and sprayed debris throughout the house Dennis lives in with his wife, Cathy, and their middle daughter, Amy.

“Everything upstairs is gone,” Dennis said, explaining the exposed rooms were four bedrooms.

He was unable to salvage most of his belongings but tried to gather up clothes “and the stuff you’ll miss when you don’t have it.”

No one was hurt and his house was insured.

“We’re going to rebuild it,” Dennis said. “It’s just going to be a mess until it’s settled and resolved.”

Across the street, sisters Kris Delene and Shelley Graham sustained some damage to their roof.

Graham said city crews and volunteers stayed until 8:30 p.m. Friday to help clean some of the debris.

Delene said volunteers from First Baptist Church in Smyrna showed up about 7:30 a.m. in their driveway. Members of First Presbyterian Church helped neighbors.

“A lot of people are coming by and helping,” Delene said. “There’s been a steady stream of people gawking but not much.”

Delene was impressed with the spirit of the volunteers.

“People have been fantastic,” Delene said. “They’ve been wonderful, absolutely wonderful.”
Jim Grant of Antioch said a co-worker from the U.S. Marshal’s service pressed him into service. Grant joined members of Lifepoint Baptist Church of Smyrna into clearing debris from yards, “one yard at a time.”

Lisa Marchesoni may be reached at 869-0814 or at lmarchesoni@murfreesboropost.com.