Living in the South, tornadoes are common occurrences. We have had some serious close calls, as well as some storm damage in the past, but Tuesday’s tornadoes were once again too close for comfort. Many homes and businesses mere moments from our home are literally gone.
We didn’t expect to spend the evening of Super Tuesday taking cover in a local Wal-Mart with a tornado on the ground four minutes from that location. We didn’t expect to be sitting along the side of the highway in an extreme lightning storm waiting for downed power lines to be removed, on the way home afterward. We did not expect to see cars that were tossed from the road like toys, lying on their sides, or debris… everywhere. These inconveniences were nothing. We were more than fortunate; we feel very blessed.
Others certainly didn’t expect to see the devastation they encountered as they made their way from their safe areas. Homes and businesses, a whole strip mall, a plaza, and much more were completely devastated. Thank Heaven no lives were lost in this tornado, but the relief effort will be a long, hard process. My heart is broken for this community.
Just looking at the destruction is hard, so I can’t imagine what the people who suffered it are experiencing. I have always been moved by such images on the news, etc., but to see places people you know own, or those you have actually been in recently, now turned into nothing more than a pile of debris is not easy to describe.
I probably won’t be around much for a while, but Mary Ann always does a great job. I’m sure everyone understands. At the moment, I just feel the need to try to help. The community here is unbelievable and people have rallied to help each other. It is amazing to see it and be a part of it…
Please keep the people here and in all the devastated areas in your thoughts and prayers.