COOKEVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — An Army veteran and his wife were on a trip to California when the deadly EF-4 tornado ripped through Putnam County. They returned home Wednesday to find their home flattened by the storm.
Chester Bush and his wife spent the day digging through the rubble that was left behind. They were able to find his Army uniform, pictures of his family and multiple other items.
But Bush knew if they'd been in town, they wouldn't have survived the deadly storm.
"If we had been here though, me and my wife, we would have been deceased. We wouldn't have made it," said Bush.
Several neighbors and friends helped him pour over the piles of wood and debris - something Bush was grateful for.
The tornado claimed the lives of 18 people in Putnam County and Bush's home was one of 20 that were completely wiped out by the storm.
MORE TORNADO COVERAGE
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- How to help victims of the Tennessee tornadoes
- NES: Most power should be restored by Monday
- Five children among 18 killed in Putnam County tornado
- Deadly Tennessee Tornado stayed on the ground for 50 miles
- Two killed in East Nashville, at least 20 hurt after tornado rips through downtown
- Three dead, widespread damage reported in Wilson County
- Emergency shelters opened after deadly tornado
- 'Unbelievable damage' in Donelson after tornado passes through Middle Tennessee
- 18 dead in Putnam County after tornado hits Middle Tennessee
- GALLERY: Here are the victim's of the March tornadoes
