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“I’m OK dad, the house is gone, but I’m OK,” said Joseph Austin.
Hearing those words changed Ben Austin’s life.
Earlier that day, the Middle Tennessee State University professor and his wife had gone shopping at Stones River Mall. A tornado watch had been in effect throughout the day on April 10, but Austin saw it change to a tornado warning on a television at the mall. He called his house to warn his son, Joseph, of the possible tornado, and they headed home.
As they were driving, Austin saw the funnel cloud touch the ground, following behind them.
“It chased us, actually, all the way down Thompson Lane,” Austin said.
The Austins took shelter in the basement of the First Methodist Church and watched the tornado scream by, heading in the direction of their neighborhood. They never would have guessed it would barrel through their home, and turn life, as they knew it, upside down.
When the storm passed, they called their son, and received the news that he was fine, but their home was not. They made their way to the house. Along with their sons, many people were already there to help clean up the mess. These volunteers took over in a time when Austin said he did not know what to do. They gave their hard work, time and advice to the family while they regained their composure and tried to cope with the shock of losing everything.
