“Thankful to be alive,” Madison man shares his harrowing story of survival after Tennessee Region tornadoes

Randy "Chappy" Chapman with Red Cross volunteer, Debra Alexander Fisher

Randy “Chappy” Chapman of Madison is currently staying at the Red Cross shelter at Isaac Litton Middle School Alumni Center after the devastating tornadoes ripped through the Tennessee region on Dec. 9.  

The 68-year-old is a care provider for his sister in Madison.  He said he was at home when the violent storm moved through.  

“I was in a back bedroom reading a book with one of my dogs on my lap when I heard a sudden and loud whoosh,” said Chapman. The winds caused the house to shake, and a back wall then collapsed, taking his beagle out into the storm. “I could see orange flashes from the power plant explosion just across the street.”  

After the storm passed, a neighbor helped to rescue his sister who was trapped under the home’s debris, carrying her on his back to safety.  

Because of power lines and heavy debris on roadways, first responders came on foot for search and rescue. Chapman’s sister was taken by ambulance to a local hospital and a fire truck took him to the Madison Church of Christ. Later, he was transferred to the American Red Cross managed shelter at Isaac Litton Middle School where he was able to stay the night. He will stay in the Red Cross shelter until his son arrives from Ft. Smith, Nebraska to take him back to live with him.  

Chapman talks with a Red Cross volunteer inside the shelter.

Story and photos by Debra Alexander Fisher, American Red Cross volunteer