More than 120 volunteers help clean up TSU's Agricultural Center

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Tennessee State University officials said they had 120 volunteers help clean up tornado damage.

They've gotten lots of offers for help from neighbors, churches and schools to clean up the damage to their Agricultural Center.

The university's agricultural farm near the main campus was left with the most severe damage. Four buildings at the farm have been deemed a total loss. The university confirmed that two cows were killed in the storms, and they are making the safety of the rest of the animals a priority.

Most of it is now in piles, where officials say the real work begins.

"Now comes the challenge of we have some equipment and things of that nature to get out of here, and making sure that everybody's safe,” Curtis Johnson, Chief of Staff for TSU, said. “We don't want any gas leaks or water leaks to injure anyone, so now comes the meticulous part."

The destruction has an estimated $35 million price tag just for the structures. The estimate does not include research equipment and material related to the agricultural studies.

TSU officials say they will let volunteers know when they can return to help, once all the debris is moved out.