Considering last night's storm that swept through our southern states and killed over 200 people, I would like to encourage each member to take a few moments today to say a little prayer for the victims and their families. If you are not the praying type, then best wishes will do.
If any of this forum's members were caught up in the storm's aftermath, and you have needs, please post those needs here, for I am sure that many here would like to help.
Apparently Alabama was hit the hardest last night.
Jeff and Mary Lucas
Received this email from Jeff Lucas early this morning. He and Mary live in Birmingham, Al.
> We dodged three bullets yesterday. One came within a mile and knocked down all kinds of stuff in the neighborhood. We found some of the neighbor’s shingles in our front yard. That was at about 5:30 a.m. yesterday morning. We were really oblivious at that point. The big monster (1.5 miles wide and 55 m.p.h.) that was caught on TV in Tuscaloosa yesterday afternoon, missed us by about 5 miles. I have a brother who lives in Tuscaloosa and it missed him by about a mile. The last one that came our way was about 10 miles south. Power came back on for us sometime after 9:00 p.m. At least three cities took direct hits, probably more. Not too many details on damage last night. It was like being under siege and waiting to hear where the bombs would drop. Pray for the people who were impacted more than we were, all across the south.
>
>Thanks
>
>Jeff
I was watching the storm track last night. Incredibly wide storm front. Was a crazy powerful storm.
JBS
Jeff and Mary Lucas
I was watching the weather channel this a.m. Prayers go out to yo folks hit by the storms...one feels kinda helpless looking at the news coverage..
I hope everyone's OK.
I watched these storms developing on TWC, fearsome indeed.
Rick
We missed the big stuff
We had severe storms north and south of us but all we got was some wind and a little rain. It looked like the Chattanooga area got hit pretty hard. Has anyone heard from Sam Clemmons? It looked like the storms were strong over his area. Trenton, Georgia (just south of Sam) got hit really hard.
Andy
VA Tech apparently had the "Tornado Warning" horns blaring last night.
I know a whole lot of people on my facebook page were up and scared about the situation. Thankfully, we just had some wind, but not much else here locally. I know of some that saw some tornadoes here in VA.
My best thoughts go out to anyone thats been involved in all this storm and destruction... what a mess. I hope the weather has subsided also... it seem to have.
Sending good thoughts, well wishes and prayers their way.
Having driven twice a day through Moore Oklahoma back in May of 1999 (F5) and seeing that type of devastation was tough on a persons heart, spirit and soul. I prayed/cried twice a day as I drove through traffic ... Yet I was thankful and fortunate enough to be several miles south ...
People lose stuff every day ... through fire ... floods ... tornadoes ... etc.
It's just stuff. BUT it's THEIR stuff of which I'm sure they've worked hard, have sentimental attachment or may be it's "everything they own" ...
And although just stuff ... it's THEIR stuff.
The most beautiful thing to come from devastation is the fellowship amongst friends, neighbors and even strangers. That's when we see humanity at it's best.
Hug your kids,
Tell those you love that you do,
Make that phone call you've been putting off ... cause ya never know ...
Most importantly: Remember to count your blessings.
My apologies --
I neglected to extend our condolences and sympathy to those that lost a loved one.
Lastest death toll numbers are up to 269
And headlines that read "towns removed from the map".
It was good to hear from my son who lives near Chattanooga and know he survived the night.
I spoke with a friend today. He has relatives in Ala. he was able to reach...they told him they escaped with their lives and a still standing mailbox...their house is gone!
> Sending good thoughts, well wishes and prayers their way.
>
> Having driven twice a day through Moore Oklahoma back in May of 1999 (F5) and seeing that type of devastation was tough on a persons heart, spirit and soul. I prayed/cried twice a day as I drove through traffic ... Yet I was thankful and fortunate enough to be several miles south ...
>
> People lose stuff every day ... through fire ... floods ... tornadoes ... etc.
> It's just stuff. BUT it's THEIR stuff of which I'm sure they've worked hard, have sentimental attachment or may be it's "everything they own" ...
>
> And although just stuff ... it's THEIR stuff.
>
> The most beautiful thing to come from devastation is the fellowship amongst friends, neighbors and even strangers. That's when we see humanity at it's best.
>
> Hug your kids,
> Tell those you love that you do,
> Make that phone call you've been putting off ... cause ya never know ...
>
> Most importantly: Remember to count your blessings.
Well said, MP. :good:
I've lost stuff through floods, quakes, theft, abuse, etc... and even though it is just "stuff", it was still MY stuff that I mourned for. But I would gladly give up ALL of my stuff to get back the humans I have lost throughout my entire lifetime. Coming back home after two years is definitely a reality check of who is NOT around to visit anymore. 🙁
