02-04-2025
Covington residents worry over upcoming severe weather
COVINGTON, Tenn. — A Tipton County family is preparing for the potential of severe weather after two years of a tornado hit the community.
On March 31, 2023, disaster and destruction hit Tipton County, an EF-3 tornado injured dozens and destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses.
'My son was just a year and a half at the time and we were stuck in our bathroom. He was in the tub with the mattress over him and he had just learned to say, 'Uh oh,' and kept saying that during the tornado,' said Kathryn Vaughn.
City of Covington impassable due to tornado damage
Vaughn's Covington home was not damaged in the tornado; however, the powerful winds blew down all the community's cell towers.
She and her family evacuated their home and drove about an hour away to a hotel in Memphis.
Vaughn tells me she doesn't want to relive a natural disaster, but she has a plan.
'As a mom and a resident of Covington that lived through the last tornado, this time around when we have severe weather, we like to be prepared,' said Vaughn. 'My husband have gathered about 72 hours worth of supplies.'
Tipton County leaders are encouraging residents to take precautions and stay weather aware with its 'CodeRED' app.
Covington's Mayor says the town of Atoka is the only place that offers safe storm spaces to the public.
The safe room at Atoka Elementary is only open during a tornado warning, while the safe room at Atoka Town Hall is open for tornado watches.
Download the WREG weather app for updates.
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