By Heather Jones Skaggs
Special to TAB Media
Carla Long said she and her husband, David, heard debris hitting the house and the sound of trees cracking as a tornado ripped through their neighborhood March 25.
“The power was out, so our son was keeping us informed of the tornado’s path by phone, and then the line dropped,” she said.
Only a few moments later, the chaos was over, and everything was still and quiet. The Longs hesitantly emerged from a bathtub in an interior bathroom where they had taken shelter.
“We had blankets over us and our cat and our safety helmets on. We were praying and speaking the name of Jesus, as we thought the roof was about to go,” she said.
Multiple tornadoes
The long-track storms of March 25 left a path of damage across the state as a total of 10 tornadoes were confirmed on the ground resulting in 4 EF-3 tornadoes, 3 EF-2 tornadoes and 3 EF-1 tornadoes.
Assessing their damage, the Longs say the fact their house is still standing is unimaginable.
“What we saw shocked us,” Long said. “The tornado had blown in the deadbolted French doors to our screened porch, debris was in the house, and our porch had damage.”
But the biggest shock was when they looked outside. Gutters were hanging off the house, the roof was severely damaged, and their backyard was covered in trees — trees down in every direction.
“There were around 100 trees on our 2-acre lot that were lying down like toothpicks,” she said.
The sheer power of severe weather reminds us how quickly things can change, but it is no surprise to God.
“How trees that took 50 years to grow can be destroyed in less than a minute is overwhelming and life-changing to see right in front of you,” Long said. “In our prayers since the storm, we have thanked the Lord for His grace and mercy.”
After the rain and wind subsided, the Longs began cleanup and repair.
Soon after, members of Hunter Street Baptist Church, Hoover, stepped up to help. On April 3, about 18 church members arrived with chainsaws, trimmers, a bobcat and a lot of love.
“They worked so tirelessly and got most of the front and side property cleared and rubbish taken to the road,” Long said. “For every limb they cut and drug, for all the hours on the bobcat, and every step that was taken, we are truly thankful.”
Meeting needs
Emotional needs were also met with encouragement and acts of kindness.
“A sweet neighbor offered to provide lunch and support for the Hunter Street team, and they were also encouraged and blessed by the serving heart of our church,” Long said.
Sometimes it is difficult to ask for help, but Long said one thing she learned from this storm is to let people help in specific ways and let them take action.
“We have had precious neighbors reach out to us and offer help,” she said. “One gave us a place to stay the night after the storm, and another kind friend brought a ham for Easter weekend.
“In the future, when reaching out to someone who has just gone through a dramatic experience, we plan to do the same — take action in serving in specific ways. It was so helpful for friends just to jump in and tell us what they wanted to do to help us because it was so hard to ask for help.”
For those who have never been through a tornado that is devastating to life and property, the Longs offer this advice, “take all warnings seriously, and plan as if it will happen to you.
“A tornado is just a sign of the groaning of the earth, the fall of man, the sin of the world,” Long said. “Look around at your life and see the groaning. Reach out to the One who can save you from your sins and offer true peace amid the storms [of life.] Know there is purpose to this life.
“We are living our lives with renewed purpose and thinking on eternity so much more after this storm.”
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