Sweetwater residents supporting each other after tornado in Loudon County
SWEETWATER, Tenn. (WATE) — An EF0 tornado moved through Loudon County Friday morning, damaging multiple structures and injuring five people.
Most of the damage was found off Holt Road near the border of both Loudon and Monroe Counties. In a matter of moments everything changed for this community.
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'Just total shock, because there was no warning like it hit so fast and it was over so fast, I've never been through something like this,' said Leslie Guilford.
Guilford said the tornado was like nothing she had ever experienced before.
'We came running outside and there's a camper next door, and it had flipped over four times, and there were people trapped inside, so we ran down there in the rain to help try to make sure they were okay,' she said. 'We had the neighbors call 911 and then everybody started showing up to help and assess all the damage.'
Four people were in the camper that flipped over, in talking to their family 6 News learned despite some minor injuries, they were doing okay.
However, like many other residents, they weren't the only ones who were home when it happened.
'It was early this morning, and I think it was around 8:30, It just got really loud and the ceiling started creaking and all that other stuff,' said Craig Brackett. 'Next thing I know, I'm getting a call as a responder for the camper that had rolled over and I knew exactly, it was on our property.'
National Weather Service surveying damage in Loudon County
Brackett works as a first responder and also co-owns Grain Bin Commodities off Holt Road. He said multiple parts of his property were damaged, including two Airbnb's and two barns, one of which they use for events like 'Fall at the Farm.'
'It's all about people, the buildings are replaceable and we've got a lot of buildings to replace, but that's okay. The people are okay, that's what matters,' said Brackett.
He said now that they know everyone off the road is safe, they will help each other rebuild.
'We have some of the best neighbors, they've been so supportive through everything, and they were the first ones down here right after it happened,' said Guilford. 'So we're thankful for Callie and Craig and all the other neighbors that have come by.'
Five injured after EF-0 tornado in Loudon County
When the tornado came through, Brackett's business was used as a post for first responders, the National Weather Service, the Red Cross, and as a place for the people displaced. While it will take a while to rebuild, they tell me they are glad everyone seems to be okay.
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