DICKSON, TN (WSMV) -
When severe storms rolled through Middle Tennessee last week, the damage seemed minimal. But one family away on vacation came home to a disaster.
There were no reports of storm damage in Dickson, but that's likely because nobody was home at the Cobler house.
Rita Cobler said she can't believe how much was ruined. While she was on her first vacation in 17 years - a celebration that her husband was back to work - a giant tree crashed through the family's roof.
Being away from home at the time likely made the situation worse because they couldn't tarp the house. Rain poured into the home for hours, leaving much of the family's belongings ruined.
But the good news is if they were home at the time, somebody likely would have been injured.
"Actually it just barely missed my mom's room. Barely missed," Cobler said. "Her hospital bed is in that room. That's where she stays."
The Coblers have an added issue because they care for Cobler's mother, who was paralyzed after a stroke 10 years ago. Before the storm, the family wouldn't even consider a nursing home, but now they are in a tough spot.
They even had to sleep in their van Sunday night, because the home is uninhabitable.
"We're hanging in there. It's good," Cobler said.
The Coblers have certainly proved they know how to handle adversity, and this is yet another test.
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