Tornados hit my town. Bad day in Bosda's town.

[Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor]

2 Dead. 42 in hospital. 250 homes destroyed, + unknown # of businesses.

Dad & I are safe.

Had a tree nearly hit the house, though.

Police order rubberneckers away. Whole neighborhood destroyed.

Governor Phil Bredesen & Congressman Bart Gordon will be here today, touring the diaster sites.

Murfreesboro is bog-eyed with shock.

Very "Bad Friday".

[twickster]

Yeah, I was watching the news last night, thinking I knew we had a Doper there, but couldn't remember who it was.

Glad you're okay -- you and your neighbors are in my thoughts.

[PunditLisa]

I saw the news. I didn't know you were from Murfreesboro. Glad you're all right.

[Hal Briston]

Oh cripes...I saw a story about that on the news last night, and thought "Hmmm...Murfreesboro...I've heard of that town. I wonder why?"

Glad to hear you folks are ok.

[gardentraveler]

Glad you and your Dad are OK, Bosda. That really sounds awful.

[Shot Clock]

Bosda, if you get a chance post info as to local relief efforts.

[freckafree]

Bosda, we had a dinky little tornado come through our town a few years ago, and it was one of the scariest things I've ever experienced. I can only imagine how many times worse what you're going through must be.

I'm glad you and your dad are OK. I'm with Shot Clock. Let us know what we can do.

[swampbear]

Bosda I'm glad your dad and you are ok. I'll be keeping Murfreesboro in my thoughts and prayers.

Like others have said, please let us know if there's anything we can do.

[Zoe]

I saw video of the twister. It actually shot off a "sister twister." There were two funnels for a while. The larger one was an F-3. Glad to know you're okay! Shots from the air look like an awful mess in the 'boro.

[Two Many Cats]

Man, I saw some pictures of that on the news. Glad those houses weren't yours, and that you and your dad are okay!

[Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor]

I thought this one didn't post, due to SDMB probs.

We have a few businessmen holed up in their stores with rifles.

Sheriff's Deps arresting anybody who doesn't live in the damaged area, that showed up to loot/rubberneck.

Local churches acting as emergency housing for the suddenly homeless (kudos to the local religious folks). City Sportscom gym/pool opened up free for people to clean up & shower.

phone #s for giving (which I don't have right now).

Scam artists & fraudulent contacters are showing up.

[Beware of Doug]

Glad the Di'Chi clan are unharmed. Be strong Murfreesboro. Pull together.

Who might best we donate to or volunteer with?

[Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor]

Originally Posted by Beware of Doug

Glad the Di'Chi clan are unharmed. Be strong Murfreesboro. Pull together.

Who might best we donate to or volunteer with?

Um..local volunteer groups exist, contact M'Boro cops for info.

[Beware of Doug]

Yeesh, you'd think they had enough to do...
Anyway, the local paper has this on its site:

Originally Posted by Daily News Journal 4/12/09

You can help people affected by this disaster, by donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters.

Your gift enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of all disasters. You can visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) or mail your donation, to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

You can also donate to help the victims of the Murfreesboro tornadoes at any Middle Tennessee Kroger store at the register as you check out. Just tell the cashier you would like to make a donation to the Red Cross for the Central Tennessee tornadoes.

The Red Cross is NOT accepting any donations of clothing, furniture or any other material items. If you would like to volunteer, the CITY OF MURFREESBORO is asking you to call (615) 890-1934.

[Anne Neville]

I was thinking of you when I saw the tornadoes on TV. Glad to hear you're OK.

[Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor]

Passed the damage area on the way home today.

A local sign factory was just...gone.

The vacant factory next door, untouched.

The used car joints I visited Friday morn--utterly trashed.