Columbia Tornado Victims Share Their Harrowing Story of Survival

Issue #242

16 Oct

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

☀️ Columbia Weather - Sunny with a high of 61

🌪 Columbia Tornado Victims Share Their Harrowing Story of Survival

🔥 Tennessee Requires Burn Permits Beginning October 15

📌 Saturday: Big Bleu Pickin’ Party

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

🍁 Check out The Ultimate Guide to Fall Fun Things in Middle Tennessee Here

⛑ Looking For Ways to Help Victims of Hurricane Helene? Click Here

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Wednesday, October 16th

Thursday, October 17th

Wednesday, October 18th

Friday, October 18th

Saturday, October 19th

Sunday, October 20th

Columbia Tornado Victims Share Their Harrowing Story of Survival

When Mike and Tanya Moon woke up on on May 8th, they had no idea how much their lives would change that day.

Mike, who works in concrete construction, knew there was some weather coming but went to work just like it was a normal day.

Later, after seeing a few more weather developments, he decided to stop work and return home from his job in Brentwood early. He and Tanya called and texted their family members to get back home as soon as possible. 

A friend suggested they watch the Ryan Hall Y’all YouTube channel for his live weather broadcast. This channel has become many people’s go-to for the most detailed, up to date weather coverage.

“When we got here, we had Ryan on YouTube. We didn’t really get any warnings on our phone until it was on top of us. It was mostly from watching Ryan that made us take it seriously.”

“When we started hearing the tornado… that freight train sound… that’s when I told everybody, ‘grab your shoes and let’s head down into the basement.’”

The family of 16 hid under the stairwell together. Their emotional account of what it was like can be heard on the video above. Jenna Lacey said it was “like a nightmare that you couldn’t wake up from.”

“Coming out of the basement was worse than anything you could ever imagine... I helped my dad build that whole house that was sucked away,” Jenna recalled. 

Something that took so long and feels so strong and took so much hard work to build and you feel like you were safe in, all of a sudden, it’s unmistakable that it’s being ripped apart above your heads… it’s so easy for it to just cut through it like it’s nothing,” Tanya said. 

The Moon’s house was completely destroyed. All that was left is the basement they were sheltering in. 

The Y’all Squad, Ryan Hall’s non-profit that provides immediate relief to people affected by natural disasters, gave the Moon family $30,000 to help aid their recovery.

This year, The Y’all Squad has plans to grow even bigger, including a warehouse so they will be able to accept donations of supplies, accept volunteers and make it easier to show up in any area as quickly as possible. 

Ryan Hall and the Y’all Squad are an excellent example of what a few people can do to make a real difference. Learn more about them here.  

Tennessee Requires Burn Permits Beginning October 15

Starting on October 15, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry (TDF) will require Tennesseans to obtain a free burn permit before burning leaves or natural vegetation, including debris from Hurricane Helene. This permit is essential to ensure fire safety, as escaped debris burns are a leading cause of wildfires across the state.

The large amount of woody debris generated by Hurricane Helene and other recent storms is expected to increase outdoor burning activity. The state forestry division emphasizes the importance of burn permits to help citizens understand safe burning practices. Permits will only be issued when conditions are deemed safe, and the TDF may pause the issuance of permits during hazardous weather conditions such as high winds or extreme drought. Once conditions improve, permit issuance will resume.

The free burn permits are available online at www.BurnSafeTN.org or through the MyTN mobile app. They can be obtained any day of the week between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m., Eastern or Central time, depending on your location. It’s important to apply for a permit on the day you intend to burn, whether it’s for burning leaves, brush, or other natural debris. Each fire must be completely extinguished by the expiration of the permit, and no fire should ever be left unattended. Burning without a permit is considered a Class C misdemeanor and is subject to prosecution.

For those with limited internet access, permits can also be requested by phone at 877-350-BURN (2876) during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central. Additionally, residents living within city limits should check with their local municipalities for any extra restrictions that may apply before conducting a burn.

The TDF encourages citizens to explore alternative options for debris disposal, especially when dealing with debris from natural disasters. More information about safe burning practices and restrictions, including a list of materials that are prohibited from being burned, is available here.

To ensure safety during a debris burn, several precautions should be taken. Notify your local fire department and neighbors of your intent to burn, avoid burning on windy days, and select a location far from flammable materials and buildings. Always keep fire containment tools, such as a rake, shovel, or water, nearby and stay with the fire until it is completely extinguished.

Saturday: Big Bleu Pickin’ Party

Ready for some flea market fun?! Join us in downtown Columbia on October 19th for the Big Bleu Pickin’ Party!

Bands on the stage, food trucks, and tons of good junk. 

Columbia Cars n Coffee will be going on from 8-11am that morning as well. It all happens at the county parking lot at the corner of Woodland and E 7th St. Bring the whole gang for this free event!

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Wednesday, October 16th

Austin Gray, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM

Thursday, October 17th

Kyle Matthew, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM
The Alderson Jazz Collective, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM

Friday, October 18th

Kiana Renee, Grinder's Switch Winery, 7-9 PM
Rory Feek, Hardison Mill, 7PM
Tom Saffell & Robert Johnson, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM
David Isenberg Trio, Puckett’s, 7:30-9 PM
Wentzel Brothers Band, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Saturday, October 19th

Brunch with Miles Damaso Group, Puckett’s, 10AM-2PM
Kenny Durham Trio, Puckett’s, 7:30-9PM

Sunday, October 20th

Kenny Durham, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM
Emily Stevens, Natchez Hills Vineyard, 1-4 PM

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