Ardmore family escapes storm that hit their home

Limestone County was hit hard in Monday's storms. Officials say it is likely that a tornado touched down.

Homes were impacted, and trees and power lines were down. Crews were out in full force working to help with the damage.

One family’s home on Gatlin Road in Ardmore is perhaps one of the spots that was impacted the most. in.

As the Schell family walked into their gutted home Monday night after the tornado in Limestone County, they came face to face with its destruction. But they knew they took the right safety precautions.

"The grandkids and us, just before the storm hit, we decided to take them over to the neighbor’s house to the basement. If it weren’t for the grandkids, we would have been in our house so thanks for our grandkids. Next thing we know, everyone is piled in front of our house and there’s no house. It’s bad. We lost garage, car, house. I don’t know what else," said Michael Schell.

They immediately started trying to save what belongings they could from what’s left of their house.

Damage was spotted in lots of other spots in Ardmore and as well as in Elkmont, such as trees down in yards and across roads, including Sweet Springs and Oak Grove. Crews were already out cleaning up the mess Monday night.

"It started over in West Limestone with straight line winds and slight rotation and it is just took a straight easterly path across the county. It came through at Elkmont at Veto Road. We got crews out there trying to clear that road. We have multiple crews out working, Limestone County Sheriff’s Office, all the volunteer fire departments, Ardmore police, Elkmont police," said Limestone County Commission Chairman Mark Yarbrough. "The Elkmont police chief’s car was destroyed. A car fell on it while he was out."

As for the Schell family, they’re focusing on the positive.

"We’re all here. That’s the main thing. Everybody is safe," said Schell.

Authorities have no reports of injuries.

[FIRST ALERT: Tornado threat across the TN Valley]

County officials were also surveying the damage Monday night and offered support for residents like the Schells.

"It’s just heartbreaking. This couple right here lost everything- a detached garage, all of his tools, roof is torn off his house. It’s just awful. Limestone County commission and all of our commissioner’s crews will be out working assisting people in any way we possible," Yarbrough stated.

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