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THE LEADER Thursday, May 13, 2010
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Serving All of Tipton County
Established 1886
Volume 124 • No. 28
www.covingtonleader.com
Tipton County declared disaster area By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com After unprecedented rainfall on May 1, last week Tipton County was one of dozens declared disaster areas by President Barack Obama. The declaration makes federal funding in the form of low-interest loans available to flood victims. “I appreciate the speedy approvals of these counties for assistance by President Obama and the federal
government,” said Bredesen. “Making these resources available in these additional counties will help those who have suffered losses begin to rebuild their homes and their lives.” On May 2, County Executive Jeff Huffman said the estimated damage to public infrastructure was estimated at $5.5 million, leading him to declare the county a disaster area. Last week, the estimate was well over $20 million and climbing. On May 5, federal officials authorized
declarations for Montgomery and Dyer counties in addition to McNairy, Perry, Shelby and Tipton. At press time, 42 Tennessee counties had been declared disaster areas by the federal government. “I’ve lived here all my life,” Huffman said. “I’ve never seen it like this. We’re used to tornadoes and straight-line winds damaging parts of our county. This is the first time I’ve seen damage to the north, south, east and west, the entire county. That’s 452 square
miles.” Tipton County Emergency Management Agency Director Tommy Dunavant encourages victims to document their damages the best they can. “People need to document their losses, take pictures of their damage and get the wet stuff out of their house,” he said. “Once the mold and mildew set in, FEMA’s not going to cover it.” Individual assistance can include grants to help pay for temporary housSEE FEMA, PAGE A15
Mason man becomes first flood fatality By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com
Many businesses all over Tipton County were damaged by devastating floodwaters on May 1. Pictured above, sheet rock is being lowered into The Balcony, located on Quinton Drive in Munford. Photo by Tiffany Holland.
Local businesses begin to recover from flood By TIFFANY HOLLAND tholland@covingtonleader.com
A
s the flood waters descended and washed away from many Tipton County homes and businesses, they still managed to leave their mark everywhere they had gone. While much of the focus has been on families and their homes, hundreds of businesses have been affected by the floods that came and conquered West Tennessee on Saturday, May 1. Some of them are trudging onward, but many are having to close permanently. One of the worst hit areas was in the south end of the county near Millington. The conglomerate of businesses located on Big Creek Drive and Quinton Drive in Munford off of Highway 51 South were nearly drowned as water as deep as eight feet engulfed the area. Clayton Allen owns several operations located on Quinton Drive. He has contacted several insurance companies for estimates of damages on the contents of many businesses on the street. The Head 2 Toe Sports store damages range about $55,000. Clay Millican’s Mark Pickens Enterprises Motorsports business has damages around $25,000. The Munford Banquet Hall had contents damages of $150,000 and exterior damages of $55,000. However, on Tuesday Allen, his wife and other workers were hard at work getting
MASON – A body discovered by a hunter on Jack Pond Road is believed to be Tipton County’s first victim of the unprecedented floods that affected the area on May 1. The victim, Willie “Skeet” Burchett, 54, of 1968 Mason-Malone Road, lived alone and had not been reported missing. Tipton County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Donna Turner said detectives do not susAT A GLANCE pect foul play and clues from the scene have In Tennessee, 23 lead them to believe he deaths have been is a victim of the May attributed to the May Day flood. “Detectives with Day storms. the sheriff’s office, Tipton County Medical Three people in Examiner’s office and West Tennessee were the district attorney’s killed – one each in office are investigating the case and prelimiMemphis, Milan and nary investigation leads Mason. detectives to believe that the body is a vicWillie “Skeet” tim of the recent floods Burchett is the only in Tipton County,” known victim in Turner said. The county saw Tipton County. 12-16 inches of rain in less than 8 hours on Saturday, May 1. It was a flood the Army Corps of Engineers calls a 1,000-year event. Turner said Burchett reportedly was last seen at approximately 1 p.m. when he helped a neighbor clear a storm drain. During that time, the Mason area was continuSEE FLOOD, PAGE A15
Leader to host relief drive
Business owners work through mud-stained floors and water lines on walls to restore their businesses. Photo by Echo Day.
the business back up and running. They are seeing the Banquet Hall is refinished and ready for the next weekend because there is a wedding planned. Dumpsters lined the street as business owners, employees and other volunteers threw away the entire contents of stores that had been destroyed by the vicious waters. RJ’s Restaurant and Bar, also on Quinton Drive, was completely hollowed out. Several panels in the ceiling had been knocked out by the debris from the flood, which shows high how the waters actually rose. There is also a visible line on the wall that is measured to be
five feet high where the water rose to. Several RJ’s employees recall closing the bar at 3a.m. on Saturday and coming back at 5:30a.m. to see the flooding inside the building. Tiffany Gray, a waitress at RJ’s, said she will never forget what she saw in the store that morning. “There were booths and chairs floating in the middle of the floor,” said Gray. “Huge refrigerators were turned over by water. We could hardly get out the back door.” RJ’s owner Russell Johnson said he understands that the Federal Emergency Management Agency SEE BUSINESS, PAGE A15
The Leader is working to coordinate a disaster relief drive for victims of the May Day flood on Monday, May 17. Though many area churches, businesses and individuals have donated non-perishable foods, household goods, cleaning supplies and clothing, many victims are not taking advantage of these donations. The Leader is seeking monetary donations to help with immediate needs of those affected by the flood. “So many donations have been made around the county and we hope to increase that on Monday,” said Echo Day, the event’s organizer. “Money is an immediate need for those affected.” Those willing to donate can do so by pulling through the driveway at giving monetary donations. The fundraiser is planned to from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m., rain or shine. “This will cover the morning rush as well as lunchtime traffic,” Day said. “We plan to stay in the parking lot as long as we have people willing to donate, though.” Funds raised will be donated to the disaster relief fund established at Patriot Bank. From there, the funds will be disbursed to families in need. The Leader office is located at 2001 Hwy. 51 South in Covington.
Area events events Area This week’s This week’sFeatured featuredChurch: church: Covington • Barretville • Millington • Collierville South Tipton • South Covington Morgage Offices: South Tipton • Millington • Arlington • Collierville
FRONT.indd 1
Elm Grove United Methodist Church Turn to to Page Page A7 Turn A7forfordetails details
5/15/10 5 p.m. Tipton Rosemark Academy Graduation, First Baptist Church – Millington 5/20/10 7:30 p.m. Brighton High School Graduation, Brighton High Athletic Field
5/12/10 6:49:16 PM