nightmare, revisited
It’s almost unfathomable that we could experience another nightmarish day of tornados again after last April – that catastrophic weather could be spawned across the country once again. First Illinois, then Alabama, Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee again, and I don’t even know the continuing scope of today’s damage. But locally, our fears have become reality. Again.
A tornado (tornados?) tore through our county again today, hitting almost yards from some locations that had been devastated last spring. Our home was spared, yet again other nearby neighbors not so lucky. Again. My friend Jenn’s neighborhood was hard hit, and my heart goes out to them. A neighborhood next to our middle school sustained major damage, homes destroyed. Injuries. Reports of people pinned and trapped in collapsed buildings eastward in the county. The news is heartbreaking – from here to surrounding states. And the night is not yet over.
Our Red Cross disaster assessment team go out as quickly as we could, and before we could even get assessment numbers on one neighborhood, we were called back in because of a second round of tornado warnings being issued. I’ve seen one very small neighborhood, a few streets, and I don’t even want to imagine what else lays out there, judging from reports I have heard.
When we got the call to come in, take shelter, we headed over to the local EOC, watching radar, listening to reports being radioed in from various sources. We ran out of daylight, and now the only responders are emergency fire and rescue personell. I know it will be an around-the-clock for these people, along with our Red Cross Disaster Director and the shelter staff.
The Red Cross has opened a shelter, the calls from local residents are coming in at a steady pace. As I write this, we are under another tornado warning. I am home with my family, and our hand-crank radio is at hand.
So, not unlike last spring, I am signing off for a period of time unknown. I think it will be Utilitaire #fail … as there is work to be done, and not only locally. I suspect I may be deployed within the coming days, weeks, depending on how we can manage locally. We’ll see. But I am ready to go.
Please support your communities if they have been hit; please support your relief agencies who will be working to serve across the country. Families are in need. Donate your time, donate supplies, donate your dollars if possible – they will be greatly needed.
And please … have a plan, make a kit, be prepared. Godspeed.
the Red Phone at the EOC … can’t help thinking we need a BatPhone
shebicycles 
Thank you Cassi, both for checking on us and then for going out to help whoever needs you. We’re proud of you!
You, my friend … please take care, tonight and as you help your neighbors. We couldn’t even get over to Peerless before being told to head in. I am sure people will be out there by morning. Hugs. Talk soon.
SO heartbreaking. Take care!
Love and prayers to you and everyone you see and know. My family is in that area and good news so far. See you when you get back.
I was wondering if you guys were ok when I saw the news this evening. Take care and positive waves to all those affected.
Thank you T, we feel very lucky once again, I assure you. I think I’ll ask MG if I can have you substitute ride my last 2 Utilitaire rides … 😉 Thanks for your concern.
oh yeah, and remove the word “fail” from your thoughts — it is at worst a “did not complete”
My friend,our hearts and deep prayers are out to you and those hit today,and will not cease until the storm is weathered.You be safe
The DC
Thank you DC … you stay safe up there as well, because I have seen the recent radar. Hoping this will all be over soon, and we can begin with next steps. Take care.
Well……how are you??? You and your family well? Prayers have not nor will cease,my good friend!
Steve
TY,my friend. Keep us posted,as will we here. So far-at least in Bristol-just a bit of breeze and some rain that I’ve seen,but radios and TV tuned to local weather. Be safe,my friend.
Steve (The DC)
Your community is in our thoughts and prayers!
Thanks for posting and the best of luck to you.
Bless you and your family and keep safe!
I was so saddened to hear about all of these stoms hitting so close to you again, as well as all the other places hard hit. C, you and your camera, and the time you give to support others through the Red Cross are the work of deep meaning, Stay safe as you are out there. Hugs of support to you as you are out there supporting others. I sure wish this will not be a season of more storms. Take care C.
Thoughts and prayers from Knoxville. hopefully this is our only round this year….
I hit “Like” because I love your heartfelt time and interest …Jesus is coming back soon…warnings are all over the place…
Bless You
paul
Oh my, we definitely will add your folks to our prayer lists today. I’ll be checking to see that our Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is responding too.
Be well, take care of yourself!
Before you sign off…we were in ATL and narrowly avoided the tornados Friday night/Saturday morning. That spawned a long lunchtime conversation with the hubs over preparedness. We’re woefully unprepared. We don’t even have candles or a flashlight (total fools, right?). I’m working on a list, but please, if you have any tips, must haves, would you mind sharing? We have three children, a dog, and a bunny.
What do you have in your kits? What kind of kits do you have?
Hey friend I enjoyed your blog!