News

4/1/2023

Rutherford County Emergency Management Agency Responding To Severe Weather Incidents

Rutherford County Emergency Management crews are responding to several severe weather related calls throughout the county.

At approximately 2 AM this morning RCEMA started receiving damage reports to the Eagleville and Readyville areas of the county. 

 

Currently, roads are being cleared by the Eagleville Fire Department in the Eagleville area. 

Arrington Fire Department and the Rutherford County Highway Department are assisting in these efforts. 

Middle Tennessee Electric crews are also on the scene  restoring electricity. 

 

At this time, we have received notice of approximately 6 homes with minor damage. 

No injuries reported. 

 

Some of the roads affected are: 

Rigsby Rd.

• Mt. Pleasant Rd.

• Bunker Hill Rd. 

• Chapel Hill Pike

• Farmer Rd.

Kittrell area at the Rutherford and Cannon County line has received the most damage. Crews received reports of victims trapped in collapsed homes. 

Currently, we are estimating approximately 30 homes damaged with approximately 10 homes destroyed. It is noted that 2 victims were extricated from a collapsed residential structure and were transported by Cannon County EMS to a local hospital. 

Currently, personnel from Cannon County and Rutherford County EMS, Fire and Law Enforcement are on the scene along with Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department. These departments are conducting door- to- door secondary searches at this time. Middle Tennessee Electric and Rutherford County Highway Department are also on the scene and Middle Tennessee Gas Company are in route. 

The Command Post is located at B &W Market located at 11750 John Bragg Hwy. Rutherford County Sgt  Trey Nunley is on the scene providing information. 

The area affected is:

• John Bragg Hwy to Bivens Hill Rd including Readyville St.

• Lassiter Rd to Old Woodbury Rd.

0 – Fatalities

2- Injuries (minor injuries)

0-Missing

0-Request for sheltering

 

4/1/2023

A tornado “wiped out” the Readyville community early Saturday, prompting Rutherford County Mayor Joe Carr to request a state of emergency request to Gov. Bill Lee.

“It looked like a bomb went off,” Carr said in describing the destruction. Some residents suffered minor injures and all residents were located.

The tornado destroyed numerous homes on Readyville Street, the historic Readyville Mill, Reed’s Produce and Garden Center and the Tilford Lumber Co. building, the mayor said. The storm ripped the roof off the U.S. Post Office.

“Some homes eerily were left untouched,” Carr said.

Some homes suffered damage on U.S. Highway 70 South (John Bragg Highway).

The tornado occurred near the Rutherford-Cannon county line.

Director Chris Clark of the Rutherford County Emergency Management Agency sent a letter to the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency requesting the state of the emergency request.

“The request will make sure rescue and recovery efforts are not hindered,” Clark said.

Emergency responders searched for residents in the dark and continued the rescue operations after daylight.

As of now,

- The Rutherford County Highway Department helped clear roads along with volunteers.

- Middle Tennessee Electric was restoring power to the perimeter and commercial buildings. Gas companies serving the area were checking gas delivery.

- The Solid Waste Department director was developing plans to remove debris.

- Volunteers are being coordinated to help clean the debris Sunday. A volunteer center will be set up beginning at 8 a.m., Sunday People at New Hope Church of Christ at 4296 Murfreesboro Road near Readyville. Volunteers and impacted residents must check in and get an armband. They should bring work gloves and hard-soled shoes.

- The American Red Cross opened a shelter at Westside Elementary School oat 3714 Murfreesboro Road in Readyville.

- New Hope Church of Christ at 4296 Murfreesboro Road opened the church for victims and first responders for restroom facilities.

Carr met with Cannon County Mayor Greg Mitchell to support the rescue efforts in both counties.

The tornado struck just before 2 a.m., drawing response by Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, Rutherford County Fire & Rescue, Kittrell Volunteer Fire Department, Rutherford County Emergency Medical Services, Rutherford County Emergency Management Agency and Murfreesboro Fire Rescue.

“They showed compassion and kindness at a time of great loss,” Carr said. “We don’t know how good our people are until they rise to the occasion. I could not be more proud.”

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Restoring Readyville Graphic

04/2/2023

Tornado Recovery Efforts Continue in Readyville, TN 

Readyville, TN- The National Weather Service Damage Assessment team has officially classified the severe weather that came through the Readyville area early Saturday morning as an EF-2 tornado with 130 mph winds.

Tornado response resumed at 7 a.m. this morning with crews from Rutherford County Emergency Management Agency, Rutherford County Emergency Medical Services, Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, Rutherford County Fire & Rescue, Cannon County Sheriff’s Office, the Cannon County Volunteer Fire, Cannon County Emergency Management Agency, and DTC Communications. 

Mayor Joe Carr, Mayor Greg Mitchell, EMA Director Chris Clark, Rutherford County Solid Waste Director Bishop Wagener, Cannon County EMA Director Roy Sullivan, Rutherford County Highway Director Greg Brooks, and Tennessee Emergency Management Agency officials met and discussed debris removal in an effort to get the community back to normalcy. 

Nearly 800 volunteers assisted in recovery efforts.  Clark said, “We appreciate the coordination and assistance from our public safety partners and the citizens that volunteered to put this community back together.”

Churches and vendors provided 300 lunches and 140 dinners for the volunteers. 

Andy Garmezy from the National Crisis Response Canines brought Cooper, an AKC Golden Retriever to comfort the residents, first responders, and volunteers at the site.  The pair has provided services during times of crisis throughout the nation.    

Incident Commander Austin Watson said, “We appreciate the volunteers for their continued support and patience as we work through this and continue to rebuild this community.”

EMA would like to stress that all volunteers who report to work tomorrow should be aware of your surroundings and stay clear of heavy machinery as debris collection will begin in the morning.   As a reminder, all volunteers must check in daily to receive a wristband and an assignment. 

Financial contributions and donation of goods can be directed to the American Red Cross. 

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April 4, 2023

Tornado Victims Be Alert for Contractor Solicitations   

Readyville, TN-  Rutherford County Mayor Joe Carr and Cannon County Mayor Greg Mitchell would like to thank the community for their tremendous support of the Readyville tornado recovery efforts. 

Unfortunately, when there is a crisis or disaster, it can attract people trying to make a quick dollar at the expense of victims who are trying to put their lives back together.

Readyville residents are urged to report if you are approached by anyone, even posing as a storm volunteer that offers to perform services for a fee or contract.  Use your insurance process to protect yourself from scammers. 

No official volunteer will solicit payment or a contract for clean up or services rendered.   

If you are approached for services please report this to Cannon County Dispatch at 615-563-4322. 

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April 4, 2023                                                                                                

Tornado Recovery Efforts Continue in Readyville, TN 

Readyville, TN- The Readyville community continues to clear debris from the EF-2 tornado with 130 mph winds that devastated homes and snapped trees like toothpicks early Saturday morning.      

Mayor Joe Carr and Rutherford County Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh joined Bart Walker from WGNS radio to discuss the tornado recovery efforts.   The entire interview can be heard at https://www.wgnsradio.com/article/80384/tornado-sheriff-and-county-mayor-on-wgns-810am-monday.  Carr requested the severe weather be classified as a state of emergency in order to free up state funding available.

Referring to neighboring Cannon County, Carr said Rutherford County would help its affected citizens too.

“It doesn’t matter what county the people are in, we are good neighbors, and they need our help,” Carr said.

Fitzhugh said, “This is reminiscent of the Good Friday tornado in 2009, because I was in that tornado, my house was hit along with many others, and it was like revisiting the scene because we have seen the same thing as houses being destroyed some homes were standing while others were totally gone.”

Rutherford County public safety agencies are continuing to restore the area.  Rutherford County Road Superintendent Greg Brooks deployed heavy equipment to the site to collect the debris and move it offsite.  

Rutherford County Solid Waste Director Bishop Wagener and his team removed several loads of material from the site and disposed of it at Middle Point Landfill. 

“Middle Point Landfill has been a tremendous help to Rutherford County and Cannon County in accepting this material for us,” Wagener said. “We are grateful for their volunteerism and the spirit of cooperation.”

The Sheriff’s Office continues to work around the clock to protect from vandalism or looting.

Carr said,” Our community is not defined by structures and buildings, it is defined by the people that live there.” 

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April 6, 2023

Readyville Tornado Recovery Update

Readyville, TN- The Rutherford County Emergency Operations Center continues to coordinate the recovery efforts of the EF-2 tornado with 130 mph winds which occurred on Saturday, April 1.

All roads have been cleared of debris in Readyville, but the area is still closed to traffic.

Updated Damage Assessments show 9 homes were destroyed, 7 have major damage, 9 have minor damage, and 8 were affected for a total of 33 impacted within Rutherford County.

According to the Rutherford County Solid Waste Department, over 396 tons of debris have been collected. Debris removal operations will continue.

Debris removal with heavy equipment will stop from Friday through Sunday to allow an easier flow of foot traffic for families and volunteers to work in the tornado impact zone. Debris removal with heavy equipment will resume Monday.

The recovery operation will be closed on Easter Sunday with 24-hour site security maintained. Homeowners will continue to have unrestricted access to the area.

There has been a tremendous outpouring of community support including volunteers and donations. Over 1,600 volunteers have helped the recovery effort. Volunteers are still needed and should report to the Volunteer Coordination Center staged at the New Hope Church of Christ at 4296 Murfreesboro Road.

Financial donations are being accepted for the tornado victims at CapStar Bank, Readyville Tornado Relief Fund.

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