From a young age, I’ve always had a healthy fear of tornadoes. When I was 6 (1985) we were camping in the Allegheny Mountains in Pennsylvania when a huge outbreak of tornadoes happened. We took cover in a nearby rest area since that was the only place my father could think of to take us to safety. Until that time, I always saw storms as these really neat light shows that were put on for me at night. We went into the rest area and it was sunny and just a bit windy. When we came out, it was almost green and the world looked eerie. We went back to our campground and most of it was destroyed by a tornado that had ripped through. Our tent was in tatters, the picnic bench had been tossed into the ravine and trees were down everywhere. It was my first real brush with what mother nature could do in just a short amount of time.
Most recently, in 2002 I was getting ready to go to work on second shift at a local hospital and saw a storm rolling in. Jokingly, I told a friend that I hoped it would spawn a tornado because I didn’t want to go to work that day. Within about 10 minutes, it did and I was living less than a half mile from its path at the time. I watched the twister from my house and ran towards the first floor bathroom and hoped that it wouldn’t turn my way. Luckily our house was OK but on my way to work I listened to a voicemail that stoppped my heart. My Dad left me a voicemail and all you could hear was something pelting the car and him telling me that he loved me and he thought he was in the midst of a twister. He did make sure to lighten the mood by telling me that while he was pretty certain there was a tornado roaring by, he did not see any signs of flying cows. After finally getting ahold of him and finding out he was okay, I told him that I could have killed him for that message!!! What a way to stop a heart! He was at the Eagles club right by The Strip where the tornado had blown through. I did end up having to go to work that day but the path of the tornado made it almost impossible to get north from below the line and I had to wait an hour on the highway while they moved a BARN off the road.
Last night I sat in awe watching the footage from this latest outbreak of tornadoes rip across the south. Before I left the corporate world, I was in charge of billing for an ambulance company in Tuscaloosa and used to talk to our office there frequently for information. I hope and pray that all of my old coworkers are safe along with their families. As with any disaster, my first thoughts are with how I can help and get help to the area. I thought I would share my findings with my readers in hopes that maybe together we can make even a slightest bit of difference for our southern friends. I will update this as I get more links and information.
Toomer’s for Tuscaloosa – Like this Facebook page and share it with friends if you are on Facebook. While this is mainly focused on what you can do to help in Tuscaloosa other cities are posting what their needs are as well. They are really getting the info out there with what exactly is needed and where to go/who to call to help. Keep an eye on their wall for specific needs and ways to help.
Hands on Birmingham – The United Way page based in Birmingham. The right hand side of the page has information if you would like to join the searches for missing persons.
Red Cross – As always, you can donate to the Red Cross online or via text.
Samaritan’s Purse – You can either volunteer to go with a relief team to help or donate online to the efforts.
The Salvation Army – They are already gathering donations and volunteers and are also asking for online donations to the cause. Read their blog or follow them on Twitter to see exactly what they are doing and what you can do to help.
Governor of Alabama’s Office – Go here to donate directly to the state of Alabama or if you are part of a church or large group that would like to collect and donate goods, go here to find out how to get the items to where they are needed most.
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