President Bush has declared five Tennessee counties a federal disaster area. Governor Phil Bredesen asked yesterday that 21 counties be declared a disaster – those left out of the President’s action could be added later.
The human toll and price tag from Tuesday’s storms is still unknown. State officials say there are currently 33 confirmed fatalities, but residents in Macon County say they still can’t find some family members.
Governor Bredesen flew over the storm ravaged areas of Memphis, Jackson and parts of Sumner County yesterday. He says the damage is clearly devestating.
“I think people have an idea of tornados as this ‘movie like’ idea – that the wind gets high and few things fly around. This was more like a freight train came at high speed and just knocked everything every which way.”
In the aftermath of deadly tornadoes, the town of hard Lafayette now has other worries. Residents are concerned about looters and power shortages. President Bush will tour the area today.
Associated Press reporting contributed to this story.
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