Rising from the Storm: One Clarksville Survivor’s Long Road to Rebuild and Recover

When the tornadoes struck in December 2023, the aftermath marked the beginning of a harrowing seven-month journey for one local family. The storms inflicted significant damage on their home, uprooting trees, damaging the roof, siding, and deck railing, and even causing interior damage that left the family struggling to recover. For Nora, a single mother and disabled veteran, the challenges seemed insurmountable. 

“We lost so much,” Nora recounted. “Our patio furniture, front porch sets, grill, trampoline, swimming pool, and basketball goal were all destroyed. The inside of the house was a mess, too, with cracks in the walls and leaks in the ceilings. Dealing with our homeowner’s insurance was not pleasant, and it left me feeling completely defeated.” 

Just as hope was beginning to fade, a compassionate stranger stepped in. “Bo,” a Disaster Case Manager from the Tennessee-Western Kentucky United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), visited the home multiple times, offering not just practical assistance but also emotional support. “I think God placed me in his spirit,” Nora said. “When he came back a third time, I just poured out my heart to him.” 

Bo provided the family with vital information on disaster relief and offered a listening ear. His kindness proved to be a turning point. The homeowner reached out for help and received immediate assistance. Volunteers, including an Ohio mission group from Mt. Carmel Christian Church, arrived within days to begin repairs. 

“They gave us a new roof, siding, gutters, and deck railing,” Nora shared with tears of joy. “They not only restored our home, but they also restored my faith and hope.” 

However, the emotional toll remains, particularly for the homeowner’s 16-year-old daughter. Once a vibrant athlete, Avery struggled to find joy in her basketball and track events after the tornado. “She was really affected,” her mother explained. “Our home was the hangout spot for her and her friends. They would swim, play basketball, and laugh together for hours. Now, she often talks about the things she lost.” 

Along with UMCOR’s disaster case management and construction assistance, the newly formed Clarksville-Montgomery County Long-Term Relief Group (CMC LTRG) is also in the community to assist survivors.  

There are currently 23 homes in need of rebuilding and 130 in need of repair in the area. There are hundreds of survivors, both with and without insurance, that need appliances, furniture, services and household items, transportation and rent assistance.

Despite the ongoing challenges, Nora and Avery are on a path to recovery, buoyed by the outpouring of love and support from their community and beyond. “A s a single mother and a disabled veteran, I take pride in our home. I want my daughter to know that this home, inside and out, is filled with Agape love.”