Community volunteers respond to storm damage in Rutherford County: 'We've got a mess'
Most areas of Rutherford County had over 6 inches of rain
Scott Broden- Volunteers clean up debris from knocked down trees
- Animals and family at Lucky Ladd Farms survive storm
- Lucky Ladd Farms residents use bathtub as storm shelter
- Others residents seek storm shelter in tornado safe rooms at Rutherford County's Public Health and Safety Buildings in Rockvale, Kittrell and Lascassas communities
- Burning of vegetative debris allowed until May 15
The recent severe storm brought out many local olks to show support for those with injuries and damages.
Jim Thompson, for example, joined the 10 to 15 volunteers removing downed trees at the Rockvale Community Center southwest of Murfreesboro.
"We got a mess," said Thompson, the owner of Thompson Storage in Rockvale. "We've got to get it ready for the Fourth of July Community Picnic."
The storm on the night of Wednesday, May 8, dumped over 6 inches of rain and closed Rutherford County Schools and roads Thursday and Friday. Middle Tennessee Electric crews also had to repair downed power lines.
Rutherford County had significant damage in particular to the Christiana community on the southside and Eagleville community on the southwest side, according to a press release from Lisa Kaye, the spokesperson for the Rutherford government.
"Multiple water rescues took place overnight with one out of county mutual aid response request," Kaye said. "Most areas of the county received over six inches of rain. The West Fork Stones River went from 2.5 feet to almost 20 feet by 8 a.m. Thursday."
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Volunteers clean up debris from knocked down trees
Those volunteering to clean the knocked down tree debris at the Rockvale Community Center included Jessica Hood and her three daughters, Mckenlee, 13; Alyza, 11; and Bristyl, 9.
"We're the Volunteer State for a reason," Hood said.
Hood, owner of JM Embroidery in Rockvale, said she and her family use the community center a lot, so the least they could do is help to clean it up after the storm.
Some of the volunteers at the Rockvale Community Center used chain saws and other equipment to remove downed trees.
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Animals and family at Lucky Ladd Farms survive storm
The storm also damaged buildings at Lucky Ladd Farms, an agritourism business founded in 2009 by Amy and James "Jason" Ladd in the rural Eagleville community.
The storm destroyed a greenhouse, a mega slide on the playground and the roof to the Farm Market that houses a store and offices. The Ladds hope to reopen their farm by June 1.
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Although the storm damaged property and trees, the Lucky Ladd Farms had no injuries to people or its 300 animals, which include sheep, cows, goats, llamas, alpacas and wildlife such as raccoons and foxes.
"We're very fortunate," Amy Ladd said. "We have a whole zoo here. Our animals are really pets. A lot of people know them by names."
Lucky Ladd Farms employs 50 people and the number rises to about 125 in the fall. The business had 13 workers present the day after the storm to help clean up, Ladd said.
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Lucky Ladd Farms residents use bathtub as storm shelter
The extended Ladd family includes two children and Amy Ladd's parents, living in two homes on the farm property.
Her parents, Linda and Amy Jones, were at their home when the storm hit and the lights went out.
"We got in the bathtub," said Linda Jones, adding that the family's five dogs also took shelter in the bathroom. "I was scared."
After the storm passed, Jones said she and her husband checked on all of the animals.
"Not one of them was injured," she said. "It's just amazing. I just couldn't believe it."
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Emergency workers respond to storm flooding
The storm included reports of wind and flood damage to multiple structures, according to the press release from Kaye, the Rutherford government spokesperson.
Many residents took shelter in the county's Public Health and Safety buildings in the Rockvale community on the southwest side, Kittrell community on the eastside and Lascassas community on the northeast side.
The county's Public Health and Safety buildings include tornado-safe rooms and provide combined fire and ambulance stations.
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Kaye's press release also included a comment from Rutherford County Mayor Joe Carr: "Our Public Safety team is working around the clock to serve the community. I’m thankful to have such expertise in Rutherford County.”
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Reach reporter Scott Broden with news tips or questions by emailing him at sbroden@dnj.com. To support his work with The Daily News Journal, sign up for a digital subscription.