The Jackson Sun from Jackson, Tennessee • 5

Monday. November U. 2002 The Jackson Sun5A Sunday's storms pack less punch than Saturday system This weekend's storms much milder than 1999 tornadoes WEST TEHS 1 1 CARA EASTWOODThe Jackson Sun Ginger Austin and her sister Christy Shearon of Alamo help sort through the scattered remains of their friend Rose Buchanan's home in Fruitvale on Sunday. 3 iM8iiiiai TMrimii" -r -j ittii-rr-iini i iti ---tf I fUt i -wyj I 1 1 I CARA EASTWOODThe Jackson Sun ABOVE: Dyer County Sheriff's Deputy Lynn Waller flags traffic in front of the Bells Nursing Home in Crockett County. Storms damaged the home Saturday night.

Law enforcement agencies from around the region helped in the aftermath. LEFT: Vernon Jones Jr. works on the roof of Barry Forsythe's helen coMERThe Jackson Sun Crockett County mobile home Sunday. -J wrr-i-TZS "1 i ill If HELEN COMERThe Jackson Sun Volunteers help Leah and Roger Dotson recover what they can from their home in Carroll County on Sunday after their home was hit by the storm on Saturday night. Officials say Saturday's storms worse bathroom Sunday evening when she heard the tornado sirens in Bemis.

Newsom remembers when a tornado ripped through the former mill town in 1999. Her daughter's home was destroyed. When that storm hit, Newsom, who lives on Fifth Street, said she could feel the ground shake and hear the storm approaching. This time, the retired arts and crafts instructor felt relief when nothing happened. Also helping was her growing acceptance of whatever might happen.

"If I get blown away, I get blown away," she said. "As you get older, you're not as afraid as you used to be." Steven Schager was putting Christmas candy on the shelves at the nearby Walgreen's when he heard the sirens. Schager, an assistant manager, turned on the radio and told employees what to do if a storm hit. A few people came into the store seeking shelter. "We had one little girl almost in tears," Schager said.

Wendy Wilson, 425-964 Mike Brasfield Mike Brasfield ran for cover in a storage closet at Fire Station 4 in South Jackson as the tornado sirens blared Sunday evening. "The other guys were laughing at me," he said. Brasfield is still shaken from the tornadoes that struck in 1999. A fire engine driver, he was out on a call when the storms blew out the windows at the station and damaged the roof. For several months, firefighters worked out of nearby businesses as the building was being repaired.

Firefighter Willie Jones said he was surprised he didn't have to go out on any calls. Usually, heavy winds cause electrical surges that sound alarms. "This time we got lucky," he said Peggy Newsom Peggy Newsom huddled in her on both days," she said. "He was in his office before anything hit. That helped me, because I was able to sound the sirens sooner." While the 1999 tornadoes were devastating compared to this weekend's storms.

Paulman said she received about the same number of calls from people asking what to do." Jackson Fire Department officials said the storms were no where near the strength of those three years ago. "We were just as prepared then as we were this weekend," said Capt. Richard Johnsey. "We had a lot of high winds and trees that went down tonight (Sunday), and it was probably a little worse on Saturday. But nothing compares to the the complete devastation we had in '99.

1 think we were ready for anything this time around, and fortunately we made out OK." Gary Gray, 425-9680 By GARY GRAY ggrayjacksonsun.com Jackson, Alamo, Bolivar and lots of other West Tennessee cities danced with danger in an attempt to avoid this weekend's tornadoes. But it appears that Saturday's weather caused a few more problems for law enforcement and emergency agencies than did Sunday's storms. "We didn't have that much damage overall, but I'd say we had a tougher go of it on Saturday," said Barbara Bailey, city of Humboldt police dispatcher. "We had a few trees down and some other minor problems, but nothing serious. On Sunday, we were more aware that the weather was coming.

We had a better bead on it, so I think our resources were put to better use." David Woolfork, Madison County sheriff, echoed Bailey's thoughts. "Last night (Saturday) was a bit of a surprise," he said. "When it got difficult, we kept our first shift on out there. On Sunday, we were much better Still this weekend was mild compared to the tornado of 1999. Barbie Paulman, Crockett County sheriffs department dispatcher, said the people in Crockett County have been lucky and that this weekend's storms were handled well by law enforcement and the county's emergency services.

"In 1999, we had people coming to the police station and fire station seeking shelter," she said. "But we now have a new city hall and people went there this time because there's more room." Paulman said Mike Burkhead, the county's civil defense director, was ahead of the game this weekend. "He was way ahead of the storm;.