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TOP STORIES FOR
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2003
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Yuma Hit By Tornadic Winds |
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By Joel Washburn
washburn@mckenziebanner.com |
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Monday was moving day for the Lynn
Breeden family of Yuma. An early Sunday morning storm
destroyed their double-wide mobile home on Yuma Church
Road when a giant tree was blown through the roof around
2:00 a.m.
According to Janice Newman of the Carroll County Emergency
Management Agency, a total of 23 structures were damaged
in Yuma with an estimated damage of $217,000. That's in
addition to the 44 structures and $314,000 damage caused
by the Sunday, May 4 tornado that hit the Atwood area.
Mrs. Newman said she would e-mail her photos of the Yuma
damage to the National Weather Service to determine if the
storm was a tornado. Some people reported seeing a funnel
cloud in Yuma, said Mrs. Newman, but it has not been
confirmed.
The early morning storm capped seven days of storms that
destroyed Jackson, Dyersburg, Lexington, Atwood, and in
middle Tennessee counties of Williamson and Rutherford.
Sunday's storm tore through Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky
and Tennessee. More than 300 tornadoes have been reported
across the Midwest since the start of May and at least 48
people have died in the storms. Torrential rains have also
doused the area. Kentucky Lake is at flood stage as well
as many small rivers and streams throughout Tennessee.
High winds ripped through Yuma on Sunday, damaging several
homes, tearing down power lines, uprooting trees, and
damaging the roof of the Yuma Church of Christ.
"It came so quickly it was unbelievable," said Mr.
Breeden. He, his wife -Lisa, son, daughter and her
boyfriend were all asleep. Suddenly, Mr. Breeden awoke and
then heard the impact of the giant tree slamming against
the roof of the house. "The impact was amazing" said
Breeden. Limbs were protruding through the ceiling of the
dining room. He heard his daughter, Lindsey, screaming
when limbs came through the ceiling of her room. His son
had sought refuge in his closet.
The Yuma Church of Christ, next door to the Breeden home
received considerable roof damage, which caused the
cancellation of Sunday morning services. Yuma Primitive
Baptist Church, on the same street, also cancelled Sunday
services.
Raymond and Sylvia Whittaker were in their home when they
heard a loud clap of thunder and windows break. Trees were
downed in their yard and the roof was blown from a vacant
mobile home in their backyard.
Across the road at 120 Roberts Street, Robert Gooch's
frame home sustained considerable damage after winds
ripped trees from his yard, pulled his central air
conditioning unit from the house, and destroyed an
outbuilding. Gooch said he was sitting in bed reading the
Memphis newspaper and watching television when the storm
hit. He heard the roar of the winds and knew it was
coming. "It definitely sounds like a freight train," said
Gooch. "In three seconds, it was over."
Gooch's brother, Grover Bolen Gooch resides next door.
Several trees had fallen around his house.
Sheriff Bartholomew had a crew of deputies and inmates
helping with the clean up. They were operating chainsaws
and filling a dump truck with debris.
A volunteer crew was also working at the Whittakers. Ray
Cole, Stanley and Barbara Bomar, Susan Hicks, Jean Autry,
and Roger Pruitt were helping to remove debris from the
yard.
Carroll County Electric Department was on the scene
shortly after the storm and stayed until mid-morning
restoring power to the area.
Yuma will be included in the federal disaster declaration,
which will provide varying levels of financial assistance
to the persons with losses. People who have not reported
property damage are encouraged to phone Mrs. Newman's
office at 986-1912.
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Carroll County Damage Estimated At $531,000
President Declares Federal Disaster Assistance for
Tri-Counties |
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By Linda Bolton
linda@mckenziebanner.com |
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Carroll, Henry, and Weakley counties have been declared
federal disaster areas as a result of recent storms.
Governor Phil Bredesen made the request May 7 to
President George Bush, who granted the relief the
following day.
The initial request for assistance included 20 counties,
including: Carroll, Cheatham, Chester, Crockett,
Dickson, Dyer, Gibson, Hardeman, Haywood, Henderson,
Henry, Houston, Lake, Lauderdale, Madison, Montgomery,
Obion, Robertson, Stewart and Weakley.
Storm damage estimates in Carroll County total $531,000
for the two week period, beginning May 4. Damage
estimates from the Sunday, May 4 tornado that struck the
Atwood area total $314,000, according to Janice Newman,
Director of Carroll County Emergency Management Agency.
That storm caused damage to 44 buildings in Carroll
County. One week later on May 11, 23 structures were
damaged in Yuma with additional damage estimates
totaling $217,000. However, these figures do not include
damage that occurred to outbuildings, barns, etc.
As a result of the declaration, residents of those
counties will have access to varying levels of federal
assistance.
Ordinarily one request for assistance is made covering
damage to the entire state. Given the extraordinary
nature of the storms, Bredesen is making an initial
request to expedite help for the counties damaged in the
first wave of storms. There is an understanding between
state and federal officials that assistance will be
sought for other counties in middle and east Tennessee
in the coming days as preliminary damage assessments are
completed.
“This is an extraordinary situation. Given the magnitude
of destruction I saw yesterday, I felt compelled to
proceed with an initial request for federal disaster
relief,” Bredesen said Wednesday. “As storms continue, I
feel sure that we will need to make additional requests
for aid in other parts of the state. The goal is to move
as much assistance as quickly as possible to those areas
that need it.”
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) has ten
teams, including more than 50 state officials, working
across the state in concert with federal and local
officials to expedite damage assessments in other
counties facing storm damage.
There are two types of federal assistance to be received
from the federal government Individual Assistance (IA)
provides financial aid to individuals, families and
businesses to cover uninsured losses. Public Assistance
(PA) provides funds to local and state jurisdictions and
some not-for-profit and quasi-governmental entities,
such as utility companies.
In this initial request, the Governor is asking that
Dyer, Madison, Montgomery and Weakley counties be
qualified for IA and PA funds. The remaining 16
contiguous counties would then qualify for IA funding.
Since Sunday night, 15 people have been killed and
hundreds more injured as severe storms ripped through
the state. In the initial 48 hour period, 87 tornado
warnings and 152 severe thunderstorm and flood warnings
were issued. Currently more than 50 counties are
reporting damage, including several middle and east
Tennessee counties facing severe flooding problems last
week.
Tennessee and federal officials encourage area residents
who suffered damage or losses from the recent onslaught
of severe storms, tornadoes and flooding to register for
disaster assistance as soon as possible.
The teleregistration number is 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or
1-800-462-7585 (TDD) for persons with speech or hearing
impairments. The toll-free application number is
available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week until
further notice.
FEMA’s Federal Corrdinating Officer for the recovery
operations, Michael Bolch, urged everyone in the
declared counties who suffered disaster-related damage
to begin the recovery process by registering without
delay.
“Your registration is critical,” explained Bolch. “We
need to know who you are, where you are, and the type of
damage you’ve sustained before we can see if you’re
eligible for a program that may help compensate for
those losses.” |
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McKenzie City Council Honors MHS
Girls Basketball Team |
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McKenzie Mayor Walter Winchester voiced his pleasure
in awarding to Coach Dan Ridley and the McKenzie High
School Girls' Basketball Team a framed copy of the April
24 resolution commending the team. The team completed
the 2003 season with a record of 17 wins and 11 losses,
finishing the year as district champions. The team was
second in the region and played in the TSSAA sub-state
tournament for the first time in McKenzie High School
history.
Coach Ridley stated he made a "conscious choice" to stay
in McKenzie and that he appreciates the support he and
the team have enjoyed from the community.
RESOLUTION TO NAME OVERPASS APPROVED, GOES TO STATE
Finalizing an action approved by the Council several
months earlier, Mayor Winchester and members of the
Council affixed their signatures to a resolution
recognizing the late William T. (Bill) Burke for his
service and dedication to the citizens of McKenzie and
to the Tennessee Department of Transportation, where he
was employed for 49 years.
The resolution further decrees that the State Route 22
overpass within the corporate limits of the City of
McKenzie be names "William T. (Bill) Burke Overpass".
The resolution will be provided to State Representative
Mark Maddox for finalization at the State level.
STREETS NAMED FOR UPCOMING PAVING PROJECT
Councilmember Jerry Arthur reported the Street Paving
Committee, after having toured the City, recommended the
paving of Clark Street, Stonewall Street from the School
to Moore's Subdivision, and the application of an
overlay on Hamilton Street to "get it passable until we
can do better."
Budget constraints precluded a more extensive paving
program, though members agreed if the budget allows
other overlays will take place as needed pending future
paving projects.
BEER BOARD TO CONVENE
The McKenzie Beer Board will convene on May 22
immediately following the next regular session of the
McKenzie City Council in order to address unlawful beer
sales uncovered in a recent sting sponsored by the
McKenzie Police Department.
In other matters the Council:
- Approved the letting of bids for a new boom truck
for the Street Department;
- Approved the letting of bids for a new riding lawn
mower for the Parks and Recreation Department;
- Heard Mayor Winchester announce the Forrest Street
bridge had washed out again after a load of gravel was
put in place following a previous washout;
- Hear City of McKenzie resident Shirley Nanney
praise the McKenzie Police Department for cruising the
streets of McKenzie with sirens blaring to warn
unaware citizens of tornado warnings;
- Approved bills in the total amount of $27,703.03
including: KennTenn Sports - $570.00; Barker Brother's
Waste - $17,229.27; Dixie Culvert - $2,862.70; GLM
Industries - $1,457.75; McKenzie Auto Parts - $715.82;
Weakley County gas and Oil - $3,970.05; and McKinney
Hardware - $897.44.
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March Statistics…
Unemployment Benefits No Longer Available to Two-Thirds
of Unemployed Countians |
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By Linda Bolton
linda@mckenziebanner.com |
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Carroll and Weakley County unemployment rates decreased
slightly for the March reporting period, while Henry
County experienced a slight increase, according to
latest statistics released by the Tennessee Department
of Employment Security (TDEC).
A total of 1,330 persons were listed as unemployed in
Carroll County, which reflected an unemployment rate of
10.9 percent in March, down from 11.5 percent in
February. From a labor force of 12,250, a total of
10,920 were listed as employed.
“There were slight increases in manufacturing, TTU, and
government,” said Judith Bradberry, Labor Market Analyst
for TDEC.
A check of The Source Inquiry showed a total of only 486
persons receiving unemployment insurance compensation
for the month of March. The reason 844 of the number
listed as unemployed are not receiving compensation is
because those persons are ineligible for one reason or
another, according to Mrs. Bradberry. The primary reason
is because most persons have exhausted their benefits
and remain unemployed, she noted. Also included in the
844 are people who are new to the job search, such as
students looking for work, or those re-entering the
labor force.
Henry County’s jobless rate rose from 6.5 percent in
February to 6.6 percent in March. From a labor force of
14,470, a total of 13,510 were employed, leaving 960
unemployed.
Weakley County’s unemployment rate fell from 7.1 percent
in February to 6.7 percent in March. From an available
labor force of 17,890, a total of 16,700 were employed,
leaving 1,190 jobless.
There were no significant changes in either Henry or
Weakley counties, noted Mrs. Bradberry.
Tennessee’s unemployment rate for the month of March is
4.8 percent, the same as the February rate, according to
Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development James
Neeley. The state rate remains below the March national
rate of 5.8 percent. |
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Other news stories exclusively in
the print edition: |
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- Relay for Life Raises $64,100
- New School Calendar Could Burden McKenzie Students
- Bruceton in May was G-r-r-reat!
- Montgomery Inducted in Animal Poisonings
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Phone (731) 352-3323 or Fax (731)
352-3322
washburn@mckenziebanner.com
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