Couple Clings To Each Other During Storms
Robbins Lose Almost Everything In Storms
POSTED: 8:02 pm CST February 7,
2008
UPDATED: 9:48 pm CST February 7,
2008
FAXON, Tenn. -- Residents said a twister tore through the community of Faxon around 8 p.m. Tuesday, leaving destruction in its wake.
Video: Couple Of 58 Years Hangs On To Each Other In StormThe area in Benton County is about two hours west of Nashville near the town of Big Sandy. The storm toppled trees, ripped off roofs and pulled down power lines but hurt no one.However, about a dozen homes were destroyed, and Ted and Mary Robbins said they had a close call.The couple said that in the 58 years they have been married, they have never ventured far from each other, and Tuesday was no exception.As they watched TV together, Ted Robbins said he heard something loud behind the house.“I went to the back door here, opened it and I heard this 'whooooo' sound, and I said, ‘Hey Mama, we have to do something quick,'" Ted Robbins said.He said they were knocked down before they could reach the bathtub, which they thought would be the safest place.By that time, the tornado was on top of them, and with the bathtub still several feet away, they crawled and finally made it.“I pushed her in; then I jumped in,” he said. “I grabbed her like this, and I said, 'I don't know if we're going to make it.'"A few seconds seemed like several hours, they said, and their hearts raced so fast their minds couldn't keep up. They said they could hear their mobile home come apart and the noise they described was like nothing they’ve ever heard.“You could hear things flying. It was just terrible,” they said.When they crawled out of that bathtub, most of their home was gone. They said they lost almost everything but that they’ve been blessed.“I'd a heap rather lose what we've lost than for one of us to be making funeral arrangements for the other one or our children making it for both of us. I hope nobody has to go through that,” they said.Someone has already offered the Robbinses a place to live rent free until they can get on their feet.According to the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, the weather killed 33 people across the state.
Video: Couple Of 58 Years Hangs On To Each Other In StormThe area in Benton County is about two hours west of Nashville near the town of Big Sandy. The storm toppled trees, ripped off roofs and pulled down power lines but hurt no one.However, about a dozen homes were destroyed, and Ted and Mary Robbins said they had a close call.The couple said that in the 58 years they have been married, they have never ventured far from each other, and Tuesday was no exception.As they watched TV together, Ted Robbins said he heard something loud behind the house.“I went to the back door here, opened it and I heard this 'whooooo' sound, and I said, ‘Hey Mama, we have to do something quick,'" Ted Robbins said.He said they were knocked down before they could reach the bathtub, which they thought would be the safest place.By that time, the tornado was on top of them, and with the bathtub still several feet away, they crawled and finally made it.“I pushed her in; then I jumped in,” he said. “I grabbed her like this, and I said, 'I don't know if we're going to make it.'"A few seconds seemed like several hours, they said, and their hearts raced so fast their minds couldn't keep up. They said they could hear their mobile home come apart and the noise they described was like nothing they’ve ever heard.“You could hear things flying. It was just terrible,” they said.When they crawled out of that bathtub, most of their home was gone. They said they lost almost everything but that they’ve been blessed.“I'd a heap rather lose what we've lost than for one of us to be making funeral arrangements for the other one or our children making it for both of us. I hope nobody has to go through that,” they said.Someone has already offered the Robbinses a place to live rent free until they can get on their feet.According to the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, the weather killed 33 people across the state.
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- February 7, 2008: Many Counties Without Tornado Sirens
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- February 7, 2008: President Bush To Visit Tenn. On Friday
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- February 7, 2008: 32 Killed In Severe Storms, Tornadoes In Tennessee
- February 7, 2008: 'Working 4 You' Tornado Relief
- February 7, 2008: Union U. Damage Could Reach $40 Million
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- February 6, 2008: Students Hid In Bathrooms As Tornado Hit
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