On April 27, dozens of tornadoes ripped through the Southeast and especially Alabama killing hundreds of people and wounding many many more. The devastation left by these storms is something I have never seen before and hope to never see again. The pictures above are from a neighborhood in Pleasant Grove, AL, a suburb about 10 miles southwest of Birmingham. I was able to go volunteer to help with the cleanup on the Saturday after the storms went through on Wednesday. There were complete neighborhoods wiped off the map. It looked like pictures I have seen of war-torn countries where bombs have gone off and leveled the land. It was so surreal that even the pictures and videos on TV don't do it justice. We were able to help a few families that day and then again the next Saturday. So many people have lost everything and are in such need that we need to do everything we can to help. There will be plenty of need in the coming months as people begin to get settled in a more permanent housing situation. The most basic needs are toiletries and clothes and towels, etc. The hardest hit areas that I have heard are Hackleberg, Tuscaloosa, Pleasant Grove, Pratt City, Warrior, Cullman, Hanceville, Cahaba Heights, Fultondale, Arab, Concord and many others I'm leaving out. Most of these places do not house the uber wealthy or even middle class. Some of these are in poverty or close to it. The only thing they had was the house and now they have nothing. If you get a chance, look up the videos on Youtube. It is really unbelievable to see it. I watched the tornado rip through Tuscaloosa and Cullman on TV! I live about two miles from Fultondale where it ripped off half of a big hotel and destroyed many buildings and houses. We had debris in our yard from Hueytown which is about 20-25 minutes away from my house. A friend of mine that lives in Springville had debris in her yard from Tuscaloosa. For those of you who do not know where these places are: they are over 100 miles from each other! Amazing!
The thing we must do is give and try and help out any way we can. I am so blessed to have had no damage and no loss at all. Other than the power being out for about 28 hours, nothing changed for us. I have nothing to complain about compared to the ones who lost everything. Be in prayer for these folks and give what you can. Most are in good spirits and want to get back as quick as possible.
Working at a major hospital in the Birmingham area, I have seen many victims of the tornadoes and heard many heart-breaking stories. Many people lost children and spouses. I ask that you pray for these, pray for peace and courage and determination to continue to carry on.
My next post won't be so gloomy. College baseball season is winding down and the SEC is a big mess in the standings. Also, MLB is heating up and basketball playoffs are getting close to being over! yea!!!!!!!! (Can you tell I dislike NBA?)
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