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Remembering March 3 and the Strength of Putnam County
It’s hard to believe six years have passed since that tragic day of March 3, 2020 and the EF-4 Tornado
that devastated our county. It was our worst nightmare and greatest fear; the thing we had practiced
and did drills on at Emergency Management, the thing we thought would never happen here, was
suddenly devastating our friends, family, and neighbors alike. 19 lives taken from us in a matter of
minutes, over 100 injured and hundreds of homes destroyed. As your Putnam County Mayor, I was
heartbroken to hear of and see the massive damage and loss of life our community had suffered. Those
memories are still vivid today.
As I look back on that day, two things stick out in my mind the most. One is the dedication of our
emergency first responders, law enforcement, road department personnel, and all our city and county
employees who responded and worked the disaster. I am so thankful for the cooperation and teamwork
all our agencies show on a daily basis, but especially on that day.
Second thing was the outpouring of support from our citizens. What would happen over the next several
days and months would have been surprising if not for the reputation we already had in Putnam County.
Friends helped friends. Neighbors helped neighbors. Strangers helped strangers. Even victims helped
other victims. Everybody helped everybody and it simply didn’t stop. The outpouring of support and
generosity shown to the victims of this disaster went above and beyond my highest expectations.
While we are known as the Volunteer State, I’d submit to you there’s nowhere more volunteer strong
than right here in Putnam County. Not only did an amazing number of you show up to personally
volunteer your time to help the cause, but we were immediately showered in donated food and other
necessities.
As the years continue to pass by, our hearts and prayers are still with everyone affected on that tragic
day, especially the ones who lost loved ones. Those 19 names are etched into our memories: Josh
Kimberlin, Sawyer Kimberlin, Erin Kimberlin, Cathy Selby, Keith Selby, Todd Koehler, Sue Koehler,
Dawson Curtis, Terry Curtis, Stephanie Field, Harlan Marsh, Hattie Collins, Jessica Clark, Jamie Smith,
Robert Dickson, Bridgett Ann Marie McCormick, Leisha Rittenberry, Patricia Lane, Amanda Cole.
Let us never forget the families that lost loved ones and the survivors of that terrible storm. We should
always keep them in our thoughts and prayers as they continue to move forward with life. As bad as
that day was, our community’s light really shined and reminded us why we live in such a great
community. The true test of a community is not how it handles good times, but the bad ones.
that devastated our county. It was our worst nightmare and greatest fear; the thing we had practiced
and did drills on at Emergency Management, the thing we thought would never happen here, was
suddenly devastating our friends, family, and neighbors alike. 19 lives taken from us in a matter of
minutes, over 100 injured and hundreds of homes destroyed. As your Putnam County Mayor, I was
heartbroken to hear of and see the massive damage and loss of life our community had suffered. Those
memories are still vivid today.
As I look back on that day, two things stick out in my mind the most. One is the dedication of our
emergency first responders, law enforcement, road department personnel, and all our city and county
employees who responded and worked the disaster. I am so thankful for the cooperation and teamwork
all our agencies show on a daily basis, but especially on that day.
Second thing was the outpouring of support from our citizens. What would happen over the next several
days and months would have been surprising if not for the reputation we already had in Putnam County.
Friends helped friends. Neighbors helped neighbors. Strangers helped strangers. Even victims helped
other victims. Everybody helped everybody and it simply didn’t stop. The outpouring of support and
generosity shown to the victims of this disaster went above and beyond my highest expectations.
While we are known as the Volunteer State, I’d submit to you there’s nowhere more volunteer strong
than right here in Putnam County. Not only did an amazing number of you show up to personally
volunteer your time to help the cause, but we were immediately showered in donated food and other
necessities.
As the years continue to pass by, our hearts and prayers are still with everyone affected on that tragic
day, especially the ones who lost loved ones. Those 19 names are etched into our memories: Josh
Kimberlin, Sawyer Kimberlin, Erin Kimberlin, Cathy Selby, Keith Selby, Todd Koehler, Sue Koehler,
Dawson Curtis, Terry Curtis, Stephanie Field, Harlan Marsh, Hattie Collins, Jessica Clark, Jamie Smith,
Robert Dickson, Bridgett Ann Marie McCormick, Leisha Rittenberry, Patricia Lane, Amanda Cole.
Let us never forget the families that lost loved ones and the survivors of that terrible storm. We should
always keep them in our thoughts and prayers as they continue to move forward with life. As bad as
that day was, our community’s light really shined and reminded us why we live in such a great
community. The true test of a community is not how it handles good times, but the bad ones.
