Wednesday 29th May 2024

Bynum: “Where Do You Even Start” With Dresden Devastation

Shannon McFarlin
December 11, 2021
4:36 pm

dresden-downtown-damage-from-tornado-bobby

Dresden, Tenn.–At a press conference today, Weakley County Mayor Jake Bynum addressed the devastation in Dresden and said the days and weeks ahead will be challenging ones.

The list of businesses, buildings, homes and churches that were destroyed during last night’s massive tornado is long. The Dresden Enterprise newspaper was destroyed, along with multiple businesses including the Kountry Korner. The Methodist and Presbyterian Churches are destroyed, the Weakley County Courthouse is damaged, the Dresden Fire Department is extensively damaged and TJ’s convenience store is extensively damaged.

In a statement he issued Saturday afternoon, Bynum said:

“Where do you even start?” This was a good question asked by a good friend during a good cry in the early hours of sunlight this morning.

“The coming days will be filled with challenges followed by weeks of challenges followed by months of challenges. Our community will struggle, and it will be difficult work. However, I know that Weakley County, Dresden, and many outside friends will rise to the challenge.

“Everything is new and overwhelming at this point. Please be patient with those who have to sort and struggle with difficult decisions. I promise that every choice will be given a thoughtful consideration. We will make mistakes and stumble through some of them.

“So, where do we even start? We start at the start and get up every day with the mission in mind until it’s complete. We also get up every day from here on out, hugging our kids, loving our families, and praising God for all his blessing!”

Joel Washburn, publisher of the McKenzie Banner, announced the Dresden (Tennessee) Rotary Club is setting up a disaster relief fund to help those in our community affected by last night’s tornado. You can contribute by Venmo to @DresdenRotaryTornadoReliefFund.

Photo: A view of the downtown Dresden devastation, with the Weakley County Courthouse in the distance. (Bobby Goode photo).

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Bynum: “Where Do You Even Start” With Dresden Devastation

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