The recent tornadoes and other storms did so much damage across such a huge expanse of the South that it’s difficult, if not impossible, to take it all in.
Hamilton County and surrounding counties in Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia all suffered heavy human and property losses.
But we were newly taken aback by a statistic furnished by authorities in Catoosa County, Ga.: An estimated half of all the businesses in nearby Ringgold were heavily damaged by the storms.
Restaurants, gas stations, computer stores and other facilities were among the many types of businesses that were hit.
Some buildings were leveled. What remains of many others likely will have to be torn down before rebuilding can begin.