Tornados

[JimKindred]

Any news from forum members in the areas hit by the tornados?

The damage is unbelieveable.

[reddcorp]

Re: Tornados

I'm in Montgomery, Al and was spared major damage. But some of my pards, who live near Tuscaloosa and Birmingham suffered serious property damage, but all are safe and unhurt. Many others were not so fortunate. Please send your prayers for families with loss of life, injury and destoyed homes. This is the worst I can recall.
Andy Redd
33rd Ala. Inf.

[JimKindred]

Re: Tornados

Thanks for the report Andy. I have several friends in Tuscaloosa and Birmingham that I have not been able to contact.

[M.T. Moses]

Re: Tornados

Talked to the wife this morning! We live up in Northeast Alabama, outside of Gadsden, and took a pretty hard blow last night!

According to my wife, we had a tree take out the corner of our garage, and will be out of power for a week or more. But, thank God, we didn't get it as bad as others! Quite a few folks had their homes demolished, including my Grandparents. Quite a few friends didn't fair so well.

I ask that y'all keep those families in your prayers!

Thanks,

[webbguard]

Re: Tornados

Thank God Almighty everyone mentioned here just had property damage. Any word from folks in Northern MS. As for the suggestions for prayer, there is nothing better than that, it still works for God is still on the throne. I have friends in Montgomery myself so I was glad to hear they were spared.
God Bless,
Steven Whaley.

[JimKindred]

Re: Tornados

Any word from folks in Northern MS.

Mississippi took several hits yesterday. The town of Smithville near Tupelo is simply gone.

[M.T. Moses]

Re: Tornados

Has anyone heard from Mrs. Lawson, aka the Spinster? I know she lives down in the Tuscaloosa area.

[LWhite64]

Re: Tornados

Well the Chickamauga Battlefield made it through without much damage, cant say the same thing for Ringgold though. Also, Lookout Mtn took a pounding during all of this.

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Tornados

Has anyone heard from Mrs. Lawson, aka the Spinster? I know she lives down in the Tuscaloosa area.

She was last online here late the night of the 26th. Don't know how to check that same statistic in Oz.

[GWagner]

Re: Tornados

Tuscaloosa AL looks like a war zone. To quote a trooper Capt., "There are dead folks strowed all in the fields up here. It is allot of young people."

I fear many are students from the student housing off campus that was destroyed. No doubt this will surpass the 74 Super Outbreak in fatalities.

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Tornados

re: Terry "Spinster" Lawson
Just spoke with her and she is AOK. Her father and husband are unhurt and their home was spared.

Thank the Lord!

[GWagner]

Re: Tornados

http://www.wsfa.com/global/Category.asp?C=195969&autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=5798413

[pgoudeau]

Re: Tornados

I live on the northeast side of Birmingham. Roughly about 5 to 10 miles away Fultondale (north Bham) Just got power back on tonight.

No damage to any of my families houses though a few came within a mile of my dad's home. Some in his neighborhood lost shingles and siding. The mobile home park a mile down the road was not as lucky. I think last report was 2 died when a tree fell on their trailer.

I have many friends and clients who work in Tuscaloosa and North Birmingham. I have heard of a few that have been hurt. One of my clients has two broken legs and a broken arm when her house collapsed on her. Another lost her entire house, was told nothing stood up anymore.

My closest friend was working on a house in Fultondale (north Bham). Last report was trees on the house but the neighbors homes were gone. His wife was nearby and the home she was at is destroyed/damaged (unsure?). She got out and made it home unharmed. My friend can't get in to see the damage, roads are all blocked off.

**update** Just saw pictures from FB of the house before they left yesterday. This one is from a home nearby.


We continue to pray that none of our friends have been hurt.
I just want to thank everyone for thinking of us. Phone communication has been difficult, texts won't go through, internet is spotty, and power for some still has not come back on.

I included a few things found in my yard. The one that really tugs at my heart and upsets me is a page from an Algebra text book. Some student had just used that book the day before.

[Spinster]

Re: Tornados

Land lines are a wonderful thing, and most helpful in making suitable evacuation plans, as I could receive calls on the cell, but could not return them.

For more than a year, I've been caring for my widowed father full time in his home in Arab, Alabama. Frail of body, and with Alzeheimers, he slept peacefully through the storms in the night, and watched them with interest during the day. He was most interested in the number and variety of tin lanterns I produced when the power failed.

Thursday morning brought the news that power was unlikely for another 5-7 days. This is a mountain community, with water pumped up from the Tennessee River. I'd already filled bathtubs when the first storms came through, and always keep a weeks worth of cased drinking water.

Once road traffic began to be less emergency vehicles and more power trucks and chainsaw crews, I made a few calls on the land line, loaded up necessaries and have moved MyDaddy to my Aunt Katherine's near Atlanta (This is the same gracious lady who stored piles of loot and plunder for the cabins at 'Bummers')

About the time I emerged from the Land of No Signal and on to I 20, John Wickett rang in just after Dear Husband did, and the calls rolled until I got here. I'm sure I've missed returning some, and I do apologize. I'd last heard from Husband as he picked his way back into Tuscaloosa, after he'd followed the tornado from there to Bessemer.(And folks think I have a strange hobby), and then skirted the city to Roebuck to check on his mother. At the time, he was terribly unsuccessful in returning to our historic home in the Original City.

And, while I could not reach his cell phone, I could reach the land line which terminates in a kitchen wall phone. All those pictures of devastation?-the house is about two blocks
off camera. There are a few twigs down in the yard.

A good friend wrung her hands all day today, worried about my house, and could not comprehend why I was utterly unconcerned. Another was gunning the truck, ready to come help. Bless both of them.

But folks, Stuff is Just Stuff. One of the things I've learned in the last several years of living out of suitcases and running two households is that much of this stuff is just not important. We can always get more stuff.

Count heads. Know who you love, and who loves you.


This is the second time this year I've rolled up into somebody's home without an invitation, under emergency circumstances, at an inconvienent time and for an indefinite period.

May we all be rich in friends and family.

[M.T. Moses]

Re: Tornados

But folks, Stuff is Just Stuff. One of the things I've learned in the last several years of living out of suitcases and running two households is that much of this stuff is just not important.

We can always get more stuff.

Count heads. Know who you love, and who loves you.

May we all be rich in friends and family.

AMEN Sister Lawson!

My family is dealing with the loss of stuff right now, but I have heard your message echoed several times over the last 24 hours or so!
My Grandfather said it best yesterday, after losing his home, "I'm 78 years old and have more years behind me than what I have ahead of me. I can't take it with me when I go. It's just material."

Thank you all for the messages of support and the continued prayers!

God bless y'all,