Voice of Autumn Thomas

Editing by Thaisi H. Da Silva

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Reaching Out After the Storm

by Jessica Ly

No matter how many blaring sirens there are in your community or how accurate the local news station's weather-predicting equipment may be...mankind has not been able to stop a natural disaster.

While we cannot stop these often devastating forces of nature, we can help the areas and the people affected.

As a student in northwest Alabama, I have seen our communities come together in an unprecedented way to help the victims of the April 27 storm that produced at least 2 EF5 tornadoes and brought on at least 238 deaths in my home state.

To prove the existence of true Southern grace, donation centers begged concerned citizens to refrain from donating more bottled water. This was only two days after the storm.
While numbers of tornadoes, deaths, and homes destroyedcan can be calculated, the support shown to these communities cannot be quantified.

Religious groups, schools, and workplaces in my area took time from daily routines to do whatever they were asked to do, whether it was cutting and dragging fallen trees, running the front desk at a donation center, or moving boxes off truck after truck.

I was told by many that the best way to help victims is sometimes to simply drive through the affected areas with your windows down asking for if you can be of help.

I witnessed elderly ladies, who were not able to stand the heat of outdoor work, driving down roads sweetly asking, “Water? Sandwich? Granola bar? Water? Sandwich? Granola Bar?” until someone accepted.

Even toddlers, who were out in the cleaner front yards, were instructed to “only pick up sticks from trees” while working with the big boys and girls.

One of the most touching moments I experienced after the tornado was when Florence High School’s Show Choir put on a special encore production for the students of Phil Campbell High School, whose building was destroyed in the tornado. Tears were falling down cheeks both on and off stage during their performance of “We Are the World.”

After a tragedy these are the moments that matter.

I live only forty-five minutes away from any of the wrecked towns, but there are plenty of people that live two, seventeen, or thirty-six hours from the area that might not have the accessibility I have to show their care and support of these communities. I think it's important to remember that no matter how far removed you may feel from people in need, you can always find a way to help. Donate to the American Red Cross. They make it as easy as sending a text message. Talk to your religious group. Check on your friends and family that may need assistance and follow through with your concern. Stay informed, because while these astonishing news stories may be shown for days, weeks, or maybe even months after the event, the recovery time cannot be measured in days, but in lifetimes.