Tornado Fury

My Sweet Friends,

Thank you to those who have sent emails/messages regarding our family in Alabama and in particular Tuscaloosa (where my son, "Bama" goes to college and my brother in law -aka "The Artist" and sister in law live with their 2 boys)I am counting my blessings today. Everyone of my family is accounted for. This was Bama's second brush of a close call with a tornado.

Two weeks ago, the tornado hit his area, imagine a u shape-it being where the tornado hit, Bama's apartment sat inside the u, protected. No damage. He hid in a closet with his neighbors below (his apartment is on 2nd floor). Yesterday was even closer. He is a block and half from University Mall, this is the location of where many of you are seeing the images on television. There is a building next to his complex in which all windows were blown out, beyond that ...well...its what you are seeing on TV, complete devastation and destruction. At Bama's complex-there is debris from the EF5 tornado, but  as far as the tornado itself doing damage to his apartment....nothing. Not even windows were blown out, and yet a block away, nothing stands. NOTHING.  After the EF5 yet another tornado came through and literally went above his apartment, not ever touching down. He has spoken with most of his friends, all safe.

The video below was shot in the parking lot of the mall, behind the person shooting is a park, then Bama's apartment.




The others seen on the link below, many were what I saw live on the news. It was sickening.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/videos-of-the-tuscaloosa-tornado
 

God was truly with my son, "Bama" as well as many others. I am certain the presence of God was beside Bama and other students as they huddled together in the closet of a first floor neighbor.


Our local news stations were phenomenal in getting the message across early in the day! The forecast was for a severe outbreak, a forecast that is not commonly seen in Alabama. That was followed by all day and all night coverage of the tornado's and their aftermath. I cannot say enough for our local meteorologist and TV stations, who if not for them, the death toll would be even higher.

I am praising God and His divine grace today. I know others were not as fortunate my heart aches for them ...like my friend Kim's family, who lost their family home...their story is like so many, and even others who have lost so much more....lives. There are simply no words.....My heart aches for you.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the families who have lost loved ones and property due to the devastation of this tremendous disaster. I plan to volunteer to help next week and do what I can, however small it might be. I can't just sit idle in this chaos.  I volunteered during Hurricanes Ivan and Hurricane Katrina, the images I am seeing are so similar, if not more. I am not trying to belittle anyone else's personal experience with disaster. Know that. I am just going by images (which I have been told do it no justice) and by my son's first hand account. It is as if so many of the areas simply "exploded". I am so very, very sad...but yet I celebrate for what was spared. Such bittersweet emotions.....But above all God is GREAT and I trust and put my faith in Him.

Thank you again for your prayers and concern. Your friendship is truly a gift!
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XOXO,
Leigh