Hunter was on his way to work, and heard about the tornado heading towards Northport. He called and woke me up. (I semi-appreciated it at the time). I called my friend Kendall (who is terrified of storms) and woke her up. This apparently started a phone tree that I did not find out about until later that day. 4:40: My grandmother called to make sure I was awake and sheltered. 4:50: My co-worker Regina called to ensure my safety. 5:00 my neighbor (also Hunter's aunt) called to make sure I was safe. I was feeling very loved that morning. Brady and I took shelter in my bedroom closet, my laptop and flashlight followed us. The power went out around 5:45, so I turned to the iPhone for help. What did we do before smart phones????? I laid in the closet with my blanket and pillow pondering the day ahead. I knew there was a LOT on the schedule that day and I was anxious about what was in store for us. I didn't want to go to work. I wanted to stay home, where I was "safe". 6:45 a.m. the "big things" for the day were canceled.... PRAISE JESUS! 7:00 power returns.....YAY Alabama Power! I was already hearing of damage reports around campus and was wondering why in the world UA had not canceled classes yet, both school systems had already canceled their days.
Like a good girl, I got up and went on in to work. No one was paying attention to their job that day, we were all focused on the weather. I'm pretty certain UA paid me to check weather.com all day. Around 2:00 I decided I was done for the day, and I headed home. Truth of it all was I didn't want my Brady to be home alone during a storm.
3:00 ish Hunter arrives home from work and we begin piddling around the house. He decides he needs to grill something. So he heads to the grocery store around 3:45. I'm begging him not to since I know there is bad weather ahead, and he assures me he will be fine. He arrives back with groceries, and then realizes the grill has no gas. So off he goes to buy a new tank. I'm REALLY begging him not to go now, and he again assures me "all is well" and he has "plenty of time". No sooner has he left than my buddy James informs us there is a tornado between Hwy 171 and Hwy 43....for those of you who know where I live, that's REALLY close! I called him and told him to get home STAT.
He obliged. Once home he asked if I wanted to go up to his dad's or granddad's because they both have basements. I told him no, we could just stay here so Brady wouldn't be alone, and we could go to the closet if it got bad. We were glued to the TV watching the details as they unfolded. The moment the video of the tornado popped up on the TV and they said it was on Joe Mallisham Parkway near the toll bridge (which is about 10 miles from us) we both looked at each other and he said "get Brady, we're going". I did not question him, I grabbed Brady, my purse, and my rain coat. While grabbing my purse he asked why I would need that....he OBVIOUSLY does not know what all the purse aka "suitcase" holds!
We arrived to the basement safe and sound, and we watched the events unfold in front of us in utter disbelief. I can still see the picture in my head.
It was later that night and the days that followed that will haunt me for years to come. The sounds of sirens, lots of sirens, constant sirens. I didn't realize how terrifying those sounds were to me, until I heard them again yesterday. There had been a wreck and there were policemen, ambulances and firetrucks coming from all directions around me yesterday, and it aroused a fear in me that I didn't even know existed.
The dazed looks of people as they walked down the street that night, many carrying their dogs, many rolling suitcases, which I know held the only belongings they had left.
Cars, everywhere, on top of each other, upside down, all with broken windows, dents, dirt, there was lots of dirt that night.
Rubble, everywhere. Spotlights on houses and buildings as rescue crews try to dig people out. Our precious city, gone, destroyed, all within minutes.
I'm not a momma yet, but that night I experienced a mere ounce of what I imagine it will feel like when you think your child is in danger. I wanted to make sure my 7 students were ok. I texted them, and heard back from 5 very quickly. The cell phone service was very sporadic that night, and became frustrating at times. Where were my other two students? I knew they both lived very close to campus. Why had I not heard from them? I got a text from another student to inform me that one of the missing two was ok, she was just trapped in the mall....so now I was down to one, where was she? I wanted to find her, and I wanted to get to her. I finally got cell service back and had numerous text messages and voice mails pop up at once. One was from her. She was alive....thank God! The terror in her voice was evident as she began with "Miss Fowler, I'm ok, but my house is gone, my car is gone....." Now I REALLY wanted to get to her. She was scared, alone, and homeless. My calls wouldn't go through, my texts wouldn't go through. I had no idea where she was. Finally Hunter remembered he could use his On-Star to make a call, and that's what we did.....I think he paid about $45 for 30 minutes of air time, but it was totally worth it to me! All of my "chick-a-dees" as I call them, were accounted for.
The days that followed were just as harrowing. Feeding those without food, providing medical care for those who didn't want to leave their homes for fear of looters, or fear they would not be allowed back in if they leave. Helping my cousin move to a new classroom (her school was destroyed).
It has been AMAZING to see the people of God at work. The city of Tuscaloosa has been amazing. It's brother helping brother. Race, Religion, Social class hasn't mattered....it's been life as it should be, the way God intended, us all working in harmony. I'm proud to be from this city, and I'm proud of how our local officials have stepped up to the plate and exhibited grace under pressure.
We will rebuild. We are Tuscaloosa.
Roll Tide Roll!
God Bless the USA.
No comments:
Post a Comment