Seven Months After the Storm: Maury County Works to Heal and Rebuild

Issue #310

27 Dec

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

☁️ Columbia Weather - Cloudy w/ high of 58 / low of 56

📰 Seven Months After the Storm: Maury County Works to Heal and Rebuild

📰 Firefly Community Breaks Ground in Spring Hill

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

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Upcoming Local Events

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Saturday, December 28th

Monday, December 30th

Tuesday, December 31st

Thursday, January 2nd

Saturday, January 4th

Seven Months After the Storm: Maury County Works to Heal and Rebuild

On May 8, Maury County experienced its most devastating weather event of the year when an EF-3 tornado tore through the area, leaving one person dead and injuring a dozen others. Seven months later, residents are still recovering from the destruction, though progress is being made.

The tornado brought winds reaching 140 miles per hour, leaving widespread devastation in its wake. Many homes and properties were severely damaged, with trees toppling onto buildings, vehicles, and yards. The aftermath was a scene of chaos, but the response from the community was immediate. Volunteers and first responders quickly mobilized, clearing debris and assisting those in need.

Jeff Hardy, Maury County’s Director of Emergency Management, played a key role in coordinating the relief efforts. The scale of the damage required an “all hands on deck” approach that extended well beyond the immediate aftermath. Months later, the cleanup continues, particularly with the removal of thousands of fallen trees, which remains one of the most time-consuming and costly challenges.

For residents like Jay White, the recovery has been both difficult and expensive. His property, which spans 11 acres, requires extensive cleanup work that will cost thousands of dollars. Despite the damage, White is grateful that his home remains intact, unlike some neighbors whose homes are still in ruins. Jay’s story is featured in the video above.

Sandra Gordon’s property sustained significant damage, though her neighbors up the road were hit even harder. Her driveway became a central hub for first responders and volunteers, who quickly mobilized to assist the community. Sandra’s story is featured in the video above.

Volunteers cleared debris from her driveway, while a local church provided meals for those affected. Although Gordon is nearing the end of her cleanup efforts, she acknowledges that some of her neighbors face a much longer road to recovery, particularly in the wake of the tragedy that claimed a young woman's life.

Community members, including Gordon and others, remain committed to restoring the area and making it stronger than before. Recovery efforts continue as the neighborhood works toward full restoration.

To better prepare for future storms, Maury County is installing severe weather sirens to alert residents who are outdoors. For those indoors, phones, weather radios, and television broadcasts remain critical tools for early warnings.

While the path to recovery is ongoing, the resilience and determination of the community continue to drive progress forward.

Firefly Community Breaks Ground in Spring Hill

The Storied Development team, in partnership with Wheelock Street Capital, has officially broken ground on Firefly, a luxury golf and recreation community located on a sprawling 700-acre site near Spring Hill, Tennessee. The ceremony, held on December 17, marked the next phase of development for what promises to be Middle Tennessee’s premier lifestyle destination.

Firefly aims to blend premier golf experiences with an array of high-end amenities. The community will feature an 18-hole and a 9-hole golf course designed by Andrew Green, a highly regarded golf course architect known for his renovations of renowned courses such as Oak Hill, Interlachen, and East Lake. This will be Green's first original design, and construction on the courses is already underway, with play expected to begin in spring 2026.

Beyond golf, Firefly plans to offer residents a comprehensive suite of amenities, including a full-service clubhouse, a fitness center, multiple pools for adults and families, a racquet club with indoor pickleball courts, and exceptional private dining experiences. The development is designed to appeal to multi-generational residents seeking a blend of luxury, recreation, and community.

The initial phase has seen strong interest, with over 700 inquiries and 60 Founder Memberships secured. Founder Members enjoy priority in selecting homesites, with pricing for homesites expected to range from $500,000 to $1.5 million. Built homes will start at approximately $2.5 million. Additional membership options, including the Encore membership, are set to launch in early 2025. Construction on homes and clubhouse amenities is scheduled to begin mid-2026.

For more information about membership and the Firefly community, visit www.fireflyliving.com.

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Friday, December 27th

Golden Soul Revue, Grinder's Switch, 7-9 PM
Los San Patricios, McCreary’s, 7:00 PM
David Isenberg Trio, Puckett’s, 7:30-9 PM
Ballistic, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Saturday, December 28th

TBD, Natchez Hills Vineyard, 4-7 PM
Johnny Jameson & the Empty Pints, McCreary’s, 7:00 PM
Lisa Law Trio, Puckett’s, 7:30-9 PM
New Binge Music, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Sunday, December 29th

TBD, Natchez Hills Vineyard, 1-4 PM
Jay Hoppus, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM

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