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COVINGTONLEADER.COM ▪ THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2011 ▪ VO L . 1 2 6 , N O. 2 6 ▪ T H E VO I C E O F TIPTON COUNTY S I N C E 1 8 8 6 ▪
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Aerial photos show flooding at Richardsons and Duvall landings Mississippi River last week; the river is usually lower than the treeline. Photo courtesy Constable Mike Osborn.
River crests, begins to fall THE GREAT FLOOD OF 2011
Officials put damage estimates at $1.68M, expect federal disaster declaration By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com
W
ith the cresting of the Mississippi River early Tuesday morning, emergency management officials said the major threat of flooding has passed for Tipton County. At approximately 2 a.m., the Mississippi crested at 47.87 feet in Memphis, reaching the highest point at which it was expected to rise during the historic flood. The record was set at 48.7 feet in 1937. “The water’s already going down,” said emergency management director Tommy Dunavant. “I wouldn’t say we dodged it,
River flooding has reached an estimated half mile inland at Coon Valley Road. This photo was taken near the road’s intersection with Hwy. 59. Photo by Echo Day
but the bluffs really saved Tipton County.” At Richardson’s Landing Tuesday afternoon, water was at least 20 feet higher than is normal, reaching to the top of the bluff and over the section of Hwy. 59 that still remained intact. The highway once extended out several hundred yards farther than it does now, but the river eroded the bluff – and the highway – away over the last several decades. “It’s never been up there in my lifetime,” Dunavant said. Nearby, Duvall Landing has been submerged for more than two weeks. The river now covers Coon Valley Road an estimated SEE FLOOD, A2
EVENTS
Day of Prayer service held at courthouse By TYLER LINDSEY tlindsey@covingtonleader.com
TDOT workers plant trees at Austin Peay Elementary School last week in response to a letter from second grader Hannah Grace Henderson, left. Photo courtesy Jenifer Waits
Environmentalism takes root with young student By TYLER LINDSEY tlindsey@covingtonleader.com Environmental awareness is becoming an increasingly relevant issue among the adult population nowadays. However, let it be know that this ideal is far from being lost on the much younger demographic. On Thursday, May 5, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) joined Hannah Grace Henderson and her second grade class at Austin Peay
Elementary School to plant trees on the school’s property. It all started when Hannah wrote a letter to TDOT last fall, expressing concern about the trees that had been cleared as part of a construction project on State Route 14 near her school. “We passed some men cutting trees down on Highway 14 clearing the land and she got very upset,” said mother Mindi Henderson. “She was adamant that I pull over and tell them to stop.” Jenifer Waits, who teaches cre-
ative writing to Hannah gave her students a writing assignment on a topic of their choice. Sure enough, Hannah wrote on the eliminated trees and her displeasure at such acts. In her letter, Hannah said, “I do not like the way you are cutting down the trees in front of my school. I like birds and you are destroying their home. Please stop right now.” “It’s a surprising thing to come from a second grader,” said Mindi.
At noon on Friday, May 6, Tipton County citizens met on the Covington Court Square to bow their heads in prayer together for each other and for the nation in celebration of National Day of Prayer. Though figures were asked to pray on a podium for the entire group, organizers say the aim was to engage in this reflection together as citizens of a community. “We purposely don’t recognize the persons leading prayer,” said Pat Ennis. “We felt the emphasis should be on the Lord and prayer requests and not on the person leading.” As Ennis said, it’s safe to say those attending had an outward viewpoint in being a part of the event. Tipton County mayor Jeff Huffman gave a greeting and read the president’s proclamation and pledge. Zach Cook prayed on families and Bill Face directed his two to churches and military. Sheila Nelson prayed for education and Gina Conner and Charles Ennis prayed about media and businesses respectively. Debbie Moody, Ennis’ co-organizer, finished up by praying for our government. “Debbie and I pray for months for God to direct us to the person He has given a passion to about each category,” said Ennis. “I just felt led to pray on families because they are the backbone of society,” said Cook. “I’m a husband and a father and I know that it’s in our families that the most important relationships lie.” In their second year of organizing the event, the two worked closely with Jeff Huffman and the event is sponsored by Patriot Bank. Brenda
SEE TREES, A2
Thisweek’s week’s Featured Church: This featured church: Covington • Barretville • Millington • Collierville South Tipton • South Covington Mortgage Offices: South Tipton • Millington • South Covington • Collierville
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Brighton First Assembly of God TurntotoPage Page A7 details Turn B4forfor details
SEE PRAYER, A3
Area GRADUATIONS events HIGH SCHOOL 5/14/11 Tipton Rosemark Academy 5/19/11 Brighton High School 5/20/11 Munford High School 5/23/11 Covington High School
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