Significant tornado damage to downtown Dresden

By Amanda Mansfield

Press Reporter

The city of Dresden is currently assessing significant property damage to most of downtown after a tornado came through at around 11:15 p.m. on Dec.10.

Meteorologists called last night’s round of storms a once-in-a-generation event, one that will go down in the history books.

As multiple tornadoes, ranging in intensity, touched down in our area last night, families hunkered down in their homes and businesses. Government buildings also opened to serve as storm shelters.

After the storms passed, rescue efforts and assessments began as city, county and state employees worked through the night.

In Dresden’s downtown, numerous trees and power lines are down and several homes and businesses have been destroyed.

City and county officials held a press conference Saturday morning to inform citizens of the ongoing situation.

Dresden Mayor Jeff Washburn began by thanking volunteers and emergency personnel who continue to work downtown.

“We’ve got many challenges ahead of us,” Washburn said as he described damage to city hall, which is a total loss. In addition, Dresden’s fire department has been destroyed.

Street cleanup is also still underway, as debris is littering the city’s streets.

Walking through downtown, debris was noted not only in the streets, but also wrapped around trees and light poles.

Thankfully, at this time, no loss of life or significant injuries have been reported.

Dresden Police Chief Chris Crocker reminds citizens to be aware of where they are driving. “We have a lot of traffic in the downtown area, and it is very hard for us to get around and help people when we have a lot of cars bumper to bumper.”

The mayor then announced a curfew for the city of Dresden from dusk until dawn, due to power outages and the potential for injury.

Businesses affected in Dresden include Kountry Korner, which was leveled, and Poppy’s Pizza and surrounding buildings, which are also total losses. The county’s election commission office was also significantly damaged, as its roof has caved in, and windows have been blown out.

Churches in downtown Dresden were significantly affected as well. The Cumberland Presbyterian Church as well as the Dresden First United Methodist Church appear to be total losses, as significant structural damage was noted.

Many other businesses in downtown have been noted as total losses as well, including law offices and automotive repair shops in downtown Dresden.

Ongoing assessment is continuing by the city and county. According to Josh Lassiter, director of public works in Dresden, water quality is fine, and pressure will come back gradually.

Fire Chief Paul Hutcherson acknowledged several surrounding fire, emergency and police departments that are assisting, including Weakley County EMA, Martin Fire Department, Greenfield FD, Gleason FD, McKenzie FD, Sharon FD, Weakley County Rescue Squad, the Tennessee Forestry Department, Carroll County FD, Como FD, Palmersville FD, Weakley County EMS, Tennessee Highway Patrol and Weakley County Sheriff’s Department.

When the call came out after 9 p.m. in the Samburg area and in Mayfield, Kentucky, Hutcherson said it made the department acutely aware that they needed to reposition their assets and make preparations.

There were 23 calls for service of people who were reportedly trapped, according to Hutcherson. “We cleared every one of those scenes,” he went on to say. Sixteen residents were relocated, and the department methodically checked on residents door-to-door.

Weakley County Mayor Jake Bynum expressed his sympathy to our citizens as well as our neighboring areas that were affected by last night’s tornadoes.

“There are going to be a lot of difficult days to come,” Bynum said. Bynum is expecting federal and state assistance in clean up and rebuilding.

Due to power outages and safety concerns, Bynum cannot give an estimate on when county offices will be back in operation. While the structure of the county courthouse was not affected, the county mayor is concerned with citizens’ safety in entering downtown to conduct business.

As far as helping those affected, Bynum noted that this community will be ready to contribute. However, at this point, monetary donations will be of utmost importance. Donations can be made to the Dresden Rotary Club, the Dresden Elk’s Lodge and area churches.

“Until we have had an opportunity to assess what needs are, I encourage people to hold off on inundating us with mass donation of goods until we know what that need is.”

Also in attendance at this morning’s press conference was State Representative and Greenfield native, Tandy Darby.

“Our hearts are out to the people here who have lost property and cannot get ahold of loved ones,” Darby said.

Darby is optimistic in building back as we move forward. “We’re surrounded by the most capable people in the country to get things done.”

As this story continues to develop, the Press will continue to keep its readers informed.