Storms destroy home in Madison County

MADISON COUNTY, Tenn. — Wednesday’s severe weather brought heavy rain and strong winds to the area but luckily no serious injuries have been reported. There was some significant damage though throughout Madison County.

The Denmark community seems to be the hardest hit area in with the storms. Two homes had roofs blown off all while the families were sitting inside.

“I could just kind of feel the house start to shake and just kind of hear whooshing souds,” Teresa Kelley who was inside the home said. “Then the roof was just gone.”

Less than a mile away on Hwy 138 another home was destroyed.

“We heard it coming so my wife went off running with the kids and I ran to get my special needs son,” homeowner Harvey Walden said. “By the time I got out of the living room the roof came in and it hit behind me.”

Firefighters said when the roof blew in so did a number of walls, trapping the family’s son who relies on a wheelchair.

“He wasn’t injured but couldn’t get out of the house,” Madison County Fire Chief Eric Turner said. “We had to cut a wall out to get him out of the house.”

Although both homes will most likely be total losses a few things were able to be saved including the presents under the tree.

“A lot of it was Santa’s stuff and gifts for the kids,” Kelley said. “That would be have been the hard part if they were destroyed too.”

While the devastation and destruction hit two families so close to Christmas both said they’re thankful it wasn’t worse.

“It’s going to be a wonderful Christmas,” Walden said. “My family is here, everyone is safe and God is good.”

In the midst of the damage the small community did come together. There were dozens of residents, some who didn’t even know the families they were helping, all cleaning up the debris.