April 1, 2020
By: Bill Conger
DeKalb Middle School teacher Candice Scarbro wants to say a huge thank you to all the people who have helped her family through their horrific ordeal. On March 2, a tornado ripped through her Putnam County neighborhood, leaving the Scarbro’s and her mother-in-law and sister-in-law homeless.
“As we walked out of our home as the sun came up, four of our neighbor’s homes were completely gone,” she remembers. “In the last two weeks, four more [houses] were demolished, and there are several more that need to be. Our house on this side of the neighborhood is the only one still standing.”
Scarbro says the situation has been hard on the family, but they’re thankful to be alive.
“My children are confused and sad to be displaced. This has been a very challenging time for them, but my husband and I know the blessing (miracle really) we were given that day. We have no basement in our home, and we also had no warning before the tornado came.”
Life has been a whirlwind for the tornado survivors over the last month. So much so that the displaced homeowner was unaware of how serious the COVID-19 virus had become.
“The only information I knew about the virus up until a week ago was that people were buying all the toilet paper off the shelves,” says Scarbro. “Tornado victims had no clue of social distancing, especially the first two weeks after the tornado hit. We have given many hugs to our neighbors, volunteers, family, friends, and my DMS family.”
Scarbro and her family are taking precautions now as they and other folks in the Cookeville area continue clean-up efforts that could last weeks or maybe months. They will be in a rented home in Baxter for at least six months while her husband and local contractors David Bilbrey and Bryan King repair and rebuild her home and her mother and sister-in-law’s house.
“Farm Bureau was in our neighborhood the day of the tornado assessing the damage to their customer’s homes and cars. They have been a great insurance company through this experience.”
Scarbro is appreciative of all the help her family has received from Putnam and DeKalb Counties during this unimaginable time.
“Students, teachers, staff, and parent from all the schools in DeKalb have been so giving of supplies needed and financial help. I want to thank [Schools Director] Mr. Patrick Cripps and the DeKalb County Central Office staff and the DeKalb County Retired Teachers Association. I am so grateful to all the people at DeKalb Middle School especially. I have been there for 19 years, and they are my family.”
“The churches in DeKalb County have also been so gracious and giving to our family. “The Go Fund Me account that my college friend set up has been unbelievable. That money will assist in buying new cars for our family. We lost all three of our vehicles in the tornado.”
“My family has truly felt the love and support of DeKalb County here in Cookeville during this difficult time.”