I live in Central Illinois. This past Sunday, November 17th, the weather forecast was for severe storms. As you watched the clouds in the sky, they were moving fast - really fast!
On our way to church you could see in the distance that the clouds were dark - the storms were coming.
Shortly before 11 a.m. several church members phones sounded an alarm that read to take shelter immediately. We all went to the basement of the church. We could hear the pounding rain and hear the wind whipping around. Then, we heard the wail of emergency vehicles as they came speeding down the road past the church.
We waited until 11:15, and all seemed calm so we all headed upstairs. The storms had come and quickly moved on.
Shortly, we would learn that along with this storm came tornadoes - several of them in different communities in the area.
One such tornado, an EF 4 tornado, ripped through the area and through a large sub-division. In seconds, the lives of the people of this community have been forever changed.
The original "estimate" of damage was 250 - 500 homes. It is now 1,000 homes badly damaged or destroyed. There was one fatality from the storm in this community of 15,100 residents.
I don't live in this community, but my house is within 5 miles of all the damage.
Of course, you can see all the coverage on TV (local and national) and in the newspaper and online, but nothing prepares you to see it in person.
As you drive down the road thinking about all the things you need to do, plans for the upcoming holidays, what you're going to fix for dinner that evening, then you come upon the miles and miles of total destruction, none of the previous things matter. You drive in silence - not believing what you are seeing outside your windows.
I have never seen such destruction - house after house damaged or gone. Fields filled with all kinds of debris as far as the eye can see. Roadblocks, police cruisers with lights flashing, hundreds of utility trucks. The description you hear over and over is, "it's like a war zone".
Where do you even begin to pick up the pieces after something like this? There has been an unbelievable outpouring of help from not only the "locals", but people coming from Chicago, Iowa, Indiana and other nearby communities. On my way into work today I passed several vehicles that were hauling equipment that will be used to clear the debris. I saw travel trailers and other vehicles that were coming in to be of assistance.
They are limiting the amount of volunteers until they can clear the mass volume of wood and piles of debris that is everywhere. The real challenge now is winter is coming and daylight hours are limited. It rained today and they wouldn't allow the homeowners on their properties. They needed to clear the streets of debris that residents had piled as they sifted through the ruins. They are forecasting snow in the next several days, with temperatures in the 20's on Sunday.
This community is a rival school of the community I live in. The football team from this community is bound to the State Semi-Final Playoff game this coming Saturday. As of this past Sunday, the school sports rivalry isn't there - we are all supporting this school in the hopes that the football team will win. Many of our students are going to the Playoff game to show their support. Even the Chicago Bears are supporting them - wearing shirts of support.
The recovery of this storm damaged community will be a long, slow process. But - the goodness of mankind has been evident time and time again in the early days after the storm.
There are many communities throughout Illinois picking up the pieces from the storms this past Sunday. We are Central Illinois Strong . . . together, we'll make it!
Bucky
Bucky,
So glad to know you are safe. I have been through a tornado when I was 18. It is a horrible thing to ever have to go through. My thoughts and prayers are with all of the Illinois tornado victims.
(((hugs)))
Jennifer
Bucky
Also so thankful you are safe. I've not ever been through a tornado, but was in central FL the year when four hurricanes every two weeks wreaked havoc and devastation. What we see on the news doesn't even begin to compare to seeing it on the ground in person.
My Prayers go out for all in the affected areas.
Hugs
Amanda
Thankful you are safe Bucky. I truly do understand. I live in the County in Tennessee that was struck by 5 different tornadoes over a period of 12 hrs two years ago. It was the worst few days ever and something I would never wish on anyone.
I think I've mentioned before, I work for 911. We were in a meeting that morning when the first struck and then the next 18 hrs. were horrible. At one point, we had 46 people trapped that we couldn't get help to because every available unit plus some were already on calls for other trapped people. It was the most helpless feeling in the world. We ended up with 9 fatalities that day and around 1200 homes destroyed or majorly damaged.
We worked 18 hr. days, I would go home, grab 4-5 hours sleep and right back. A couple of us got sent out to help deliver water to the residents in some of the hardest hit areas and to see the devastation and suffering up close is memories that are burned into my brain forever.
Just like yours, our community pulled together and complete strangers became heroes. The outpouring of love was amazing and restored my faith in human beings. You will rebuild and be stronger than ever. We have and although you can still drive through the areas and see the trees still down, most every house at this point has been rebuilt. Stay strong!
glad you're safe.
Mrs Bucky, you write so beautifully about a terrible situation.
My thoughts and prayers are with your neighbours. Living in the UK, I can't begin to imagine what you have witnessed, but my heart goes out to the affected people
Kathyx
Glad you are safe, I live a few hours north of there guess we are neighbors.
Cricket~
I live in central Indiana~ we got that same storm, tornado's touched down in my little town. It was the strangest storm I have ever seen. From looking out the south side of my house it was all sunshine, white puffy clouds, on the south side of the house and I have a small house too~ it was as black as can be. We could see the tornado forming. Very strange Sunday afternoon. Our starbuck's got hit and that picture went everywhere on the news.
Glad you were safe~
Star - I'm glad you're okay from the storm too.
It was a very fast moving storm.
The storm clouds that form a tornado can be so very dark black. When you see them in the distance you KNOW that something powerful is coming.
Yet, as you mention, just looking another direction and the sun is shining and all is well. Several years back another tornado came through the area (I can remember four tornadoes within 8 miles of my home in the last 9 years), and my husband called to see if I was okay at home. I was puzzled as the sun was shining and everything was fine. Where he was at, a mile-and-a-half down the road from where the tornado touched down, there was insulation and debris flying through the air.
Just last night, we finally got our home phone back that was knocked out from this storm. It worked for three hours one day last week and then went out again.
I'm hoping we'll have a mild winter so the residents can continue to clean up - it's going to be a long winter.
There has been such an outpouring of support and help to the surrounding affected communities. Then, you get the low life that come in and loot - taking what little belongings people have left. Some were even going into the destroyed homes and stealing the copper wiring. It's sad and I hope they get caught and get the book thrown at them!
Bucky
P.S. The football team lost - but, they gave it a good try. I'm sure these young boys felt the weight of the world on their shoulders to bring home the win to not only boost the towns moral after this disaster, but to also help the students at school in their recovery from such losses in their lives.
My thoughts remain with you as you and your neighbours begin the recovery process.
I hope your young athletes can see that by carrying on, competing and doing their best, they still gave hope, a morale boost, and a symbol of recovery to their schoolmates, families, friends and communities, win or lose.
So sorry that you had to go through this. So glad that you are safe.
Does it not seem that there are just so many more disasters than ever? Or is just that we more media outlets to spread the news so quickly?
Judy
Bucky glad you are safe.
susanep :)
Quote from: Velcro on November 22, 2013, 10:43:00 AM
I think I've mentioned before, I work for 911.
Velcro - I don't think I knew that. Wow, talk about a stressful job! In the past, I've worked as a receptionist and have a hard time understanding people some times when they would call, I can only imagine what it would be like to try to understand someone who is calling 911 and hysterical, or the communication line is breaking up, etc.
Thank you for being there when people are in trouble and need help.
I know what you mean when you see something in person, and see such destruction and devastation - that's something you don't forget.
I think the human spirit is stronger than most realize. When faced with life changing events you HAVE to pick up the pieces and move on. It will take time - but, this community will recover. Then, like the people of Joplin, MO (many who have come to help in this situation), this community will be able to pay it forward to some other community who will suffer loss due to a tornado or other act of nature.
Bucky
It's stressful but it's also very rewarding. A good trade-off.
I remember seeing it in person and thinking, no amount of pictures or media coverage ever prepares you for seeing it in person. Paying it forward is a great side benefit that comes out of these things. You never forget what it felt like to have strangers come forward and want to do it for someone else.
Yes, I believe the human spirit is incredible. Everyone has a breaking point, even when you know you must be strong. Mine came three days after. I had taken some horrible phone calls, worked such long hours and saw things that were heartbreaking. We have this little man that lives in an old hotel near our Center. It's obvious he is not in the best situation in life but he showed up at our Center 3 days afterwards and said, "I don't have any money but I have seen the same cars here for days. I know you guys are working so hard. If you will let me use your hose, I'd like to wash your cars for you cause I know you guys don't have time." We all squalled like babies at his offer because it was so simple but yet so kind.
I'm glad you got your phone back and my thoughts are still with you and your community. There will be amazing stories of generosity in your community and I will tell you, I think it made our entire community stronger after that.