Ringgold, GA tornado.

fishpharmer · April 30, 2011, 09:49:10 AM

Some of you may have heard that in the recent rash of storms a tornado went directly through Ringold, GA. I had not until a few minutes ago. Longtime forestryforum member Timberfaller390 (lives in Ringgold) just called me and told me about the damage. TF has been absent from here for a while due to computer issues. Therefore I asked him if it was okay to tell his story here. He said go ahead.

I will give the condensed version. Hopefully he can get online soon and tell more details. TF was at his girlfriend's house along with her mother and brother. They were in a log home on the side of a mountain. The tornado went directly over the home, it tore off the front porch and all the roofing tin (leaving the one inch tongue and groove decking on the roof). It destroyed some outbuildings. TF and the family were in the hallway of the house and he said it passed quickly in what only seemed like a minute. At first they thought only a tree hit the house. When they went outside he found hardly a tree standing around the house and up the side of the mountain. They got hit hard. The tornado had gone directly over them. :( :(

TF, being the posotive thinking fine fellow he is, said "its times like these when its good to have chainsaws, sawmills, tractors and all the other toys to move wood." I offered to come help clean up but he said they could handle it. I am thankful he, his family and friends are okay. I offer a prayer for those who suffered loss and destruction.
I am thankful our friend Timberfaller390 is okay. 8)

Texas Ranger · April 30, 2011, 10:08:15 AM

I was concerned about Danny, Jake, and you. Called DanG and he told me he had talked to Olen, I think, and that all had made it. Tried calling Danny, but I guess I have his old business number, got some gal's recording.

Looks like another set on the way, hope they are minor and far away.

Y'all take care, all the forum seems to be in natures sights this spring.

pineywoods · April 30, 2011, 10:12:17 AM

Thanks for relaying that info fish, I knew TF390 lived in ringold and was wondering about him. I noticed he has not been on here for a couple of months.

Dan_Shade · April 30, 2011, 10:21:39 AM

I too am glad he's OK. Hopefully our other members in the south can check in soon.

Magicman · April 30, 2011, 11:01:26 AM

Thanks fish for that report on Timberfaller390. I am very thankful that it seems that at least all of our members and their families escaped personal injuries. Many prayers were answered.

Warbird · April 30, 2011, 11:41:51 AM

Thanks for the info. Please let him know we're praying for him and everyone else affected.

Autocar · April 30, 2011, 07:19:55 PM

Scary stuff for sure , keep safe everyone !

WDH · April 30, 2011, 10:26:00 PM

TF,

That was as close as it gets. This was truly a killer storm.

timerover51 · May 01, 2011, 01:40:42 AM

My parents retired to Ringgold in 1986, and my Dad died there in 1993. My brother in law, sister, and mother were there until 1995. I remember it as lovely forested country that was more vertical than horizontal. My brother in law still has family in that area. I will need to see if they are alright. You in the South had one very difficult week, and I am praying for your recovery.

Chuck White · May 01, 2011, 06:37:02 AM

I've been wondering if any of our Forestry Forum members got caught by the storms!

Thank God TF and his family are OK!

pigman · May 02, 2011, 06:06:05 PM

I went by Ringgold on I 75 Friday. It looked like a lot of damage in the town. The interstate was covered on both sides with debris.

timberfaller390 · May 11, 2011, 12:12:43 AM

Howdy all. Sorry for the long abcense but my puter bit the dust and I just don't have the money for a new one right now. I am writing this on my moms computer which is the only way I can get online right now. Fishpharmer pretty much told the story dead on. 7 dead in my county including one whole family, Mother, Father, son and daughter. Me and mine got lucky only structral damage. No one was hurt including all the livestock. We found the front porch about half way up the side of white oak mountain. The barn and two other out buildings are completely gone but there is plent of downed timber to rebuild with. It looks like I will be full steam ahead in the salvage logging business. The bad thing is this will flood an already bad market with wood. In town there was alot of damage, most of the fast food joints and gas stations are either not rebuildable or gone all together. They have decided to tear down the high and middle schools ad just start over. It was officially designated an EF-5 which is the baddest of the bad. I'll try to get ya'll a few pictures in the next several days but I am pretty busy right now. Thanks, James for telling everybody what happened and thank ya'll for the concern and prayers.

fishpharmer · May 11, 2011, 05:56:16 AM

Good hearing from you TF. No matter how many times I see the the direct aftermath of a tornado, I'm always amazed at the destruction. Continued prayers for you and the many other storm survivors. The offer to help still stands.