COOKEVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Social distancing may be the biggest tactic to help slow the spread of COVID-19, but the lack of human touch is difficult for survivors of one of Tennessee’s most tragic days.
The tornadoes that ripped through the mid-state exactly one month ago destroyed communities and killed 25 people, with 19 of them being in Putnam County.
President Donald Trump surveyed the damage and visited families in Putnam County after he approved federal aid and disaster relief three days later. He stopped by Hensley Drive, one of the hardest hit areas where at least eight people were killed.
Among the people who survived the EF-4 tornado on Hensley Drive were Sabrina Francis, her husband and young son.
On Wednesday, Sabrina and her husband William drove through their destroyed neighborhood and spotted a neighbor who lived two doors down. It was the first time the couple saw their neighbor ever since William saved her 2-year-old son by pulling him out of the rubble.
Sabrina told NewsChannel 5 said she started to cry because they couldn’t comfort each other due to the virus outbreak. She captured the heartbreaking moment on video. They haven’t been able to be around their neighbors let alone cope and grieve with anyone else because of social distancing.
“This is another heartbreaking reminder of the state of the world we are in. Please everyone do your part an stay home so we can all get back to life and so we can hug our neighbors,” Francis said on Facebook.
The post continued to say, “We need comfort and hope more than anything right now!”
William sprang into action as soon as the tornado passed through. Sabrina said he rushed to start finding people and yelled for anyone who needed help. In one moment, William picked up babies from a neighbor and brought them to safety of what was left of their garage.
Sabrina said he also piled injured neighbors into a truck so they could get help. She praised him for wanting to help everyone and make sure they were all okay.
Some other survivors on Hensley Drive told NewsChannel 5 they plan to rebuild in the same neighborhood. Sabrina says her family has tossed the idea of moving back, but the idea is still fresh.
