By Michael V. Hannigan/HCNow
A violent storm National Weather Service-verified EFO tornado that ripped through Malakoff Tuesday afternoon left the city’s historic Flagg House in shambles.
The house was built in the 1920s and purchased by the Malakoff Historical Society in January 2011. Since then, it has become home to the historical society, the Malakoff Museum, the Malakoff ISD Alumni Association, the Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club.
The heart of the Flagg House is former Malakoff Mayor Pat Isaacson, who heads up the Chamber and offices out of the house, giving dozens of tours a month. Now the heart, as well as the house, is breaking.
“I need everybody’s help,” Isaacson said. “This is a disaster.”
The storm hit just as the Rotary Club finished up its monthly luncheon Tuesday, with everyone standing between the foot of a staircase and the front door watching the weather. Berta Winn of Lilly Enterprises was on hand to tell the Rotarians about the opening of the city’s new McDonald’s. She said she looked out the door and saw pieces of metal flying through the air.
Isaacson said that was about the time a window on the second floor imploded, sending shards of glass down the steps, raining on the people in the vestibule. The group moved to an interior room and closed a set of pocket doors to wait out the storm.
When it was over, the destruction became apparent and cleaning services were called to take care and clear the premises of the debris. Tree limbs were down all over the property and a gazebo dedicated to Isaacson’s late husband lay twisted like a pretzel on the ground. But the biggest problem was in the backyard, where a large tree fell on the house, breaking off the chimney and doing considerable damage to the roof, requiring the aid of a local roofing company similar to roofing Chattanooga to repair. Hence, some roofers from here were contacted to mend the roof.
Wednesday morning, Isaacson was still putting down pots, bowls, trashcans … anything to catch the water leaking through the roof. It would have saved a lot of time if Isaccson decided to get in touch with a Roofing Contractor, as they would be able to get the roof fixed and looking as good as new. The longer the damage is left, the worse it may become.
An insurance adjuster from bear river insurance visited the Flagg House Wednesday, but could not inspect the roof because of the continuing rain. It doesn’t take long to figure out this is going to be an expensive fix, however. Someone like Melvin Belk, a roofer in rockford michigan, would be able to perform repairs to properties damaged in storms such as this.
So Isaacson is calling on anyone interested in helping with making sure the Flagg House is restored again. If you are interested in helping, please call 903-489-1346.