‘I don’t know where to start’: Families picking up pieces after deadly TN tornadoes

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — A search is underway for people who are still missing after tornadoes tore through Tennessee on Tuesday. At least 25 people were killed.

Tamara Williams showed Channel 9 what’s left of her home west of Cookeville.

She remembers waking to an alert on her phone and then scrambling to reach her three children in time before the roof lifted right off her home. There was nothing left of it standing Wednesday.

“My husband was the last one to come in. We literally dove into the bathroom as the walls were caving in and then we could feel the roof just come completely off,” Williams said.

Volunteers from across central Tennessee began arriving by the truckload early Wednesday.

There are also 80 volunteers from Samaritan’s Purse who are helping with the massive cleanup at three separate locations.

Channel 9 spoke with two pastors from nearby churches who came with members of their congregation to help families they’ve never met.

“Our prayers and thoughts are with all the families that have been so devastated. Deaths and homes completely lost. Just need a lot of prayers and support,” said pastor Gary Norton, with Lilly’s Chapel.

[Photos: Deadly tornadoes touch down in Tennessee]

ExpandAutoplay

Image 1 of 10

Tennessee tornadoes Debris is scattered across the parking lot of a damaged apartment building after a tornado hit Nashville in the early morning hours of Tuesday, March 3, 2020. (Courtney Pedroza/The Tennessean via AP)

“So many people have wanted to get involved. There’s so much love in the community. So much cooperating. It’s been good to see so many people ban together,” said Ben Hull, with River Community Church.

They are still searching for people reported missing after the powerful twister.

Many houses are now marked with large X’s alerting firefighters those homes have been searched.

Tamara Williams said a family just down the road died in the storm, but she said the volunteers are giving the survivors something everyone needs, hope.

“I don’t know. I‘m really thankful someone came down because I don’t have it in me. I don’t know where to start,” Williams said.

VIDEO: Deadly tornadoes sweep through Tennessee VIDEO: Deadly tornadoes sweep through Tennessee

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:

• Arrest made in slaying of beloved NoDa sandwich shop co-owner
• 7-year-old boy hit by bullet while asleep in north Charlotte home
• ‘Our state is prepared:’ Gov. Cooper says first person in NC tests positive for coronavirus
• FORECAST: Dense fog early before scattered showers arrive later in the day
• What does popular movie theater’s closure mean for Epicentre?

© 2020 Cox Media Group