What a day and night we have had. I know many of you who live in states West of Alabama have been experiencing this all during the week....but yesterday....yesterday it affected me and people I know and love. When I went to bed on Tuesday night I knew that Tallapoosa and Coosa county schools were going to dismiss at 1 due to a good chance of severe weather...I wondered why we had not called school yet. At 8:00 on Wednesday morning....the Central Office called school for 1:00 and the kids would be sent home then....but not faculty and staff we found out later...we would have to stay until 2:30....and if we had children at daycares, schools, etc...we would have to go and get them and bring them back to the school with us. I was a bit distressed over this...I felt like...what we value the lives of our students...but not the lives of our staffs and their children. The pictures of the tornado and damage done in the Cullman area began streaming, I was glued to the weather channels, and worrying more and more the closer they seemed to come. The thought of making that hour drive in the wind and rain was not pleasing to me. Finally at 2:30 I walked out of the office, got in my car, and headed to the house. My little HHR was tossed around a good bit on the way home and I was very nervous by the time I arrived. From 3:30 until midnight last night I was glued to the weather...as I watched the storms fury unfurl....Tuscaloosa, AL...where I have family, many of my former students and friends children attend...looked like a war zone. I attended the University myself and recognized some of the unrecognizable....especially with DCMC was a key point. I was very distressed and hoped all the people I knew were ok. I heard this morning that one of my former students and her housemates were in their basement...when the storm had passed they came up...and found their house was gone. God is good. Houses are replaceable....former students are not!
These pictures are all scenes from Tuscaloosa. It must have been a nightmare to have been there and going through it. I can't even imagine. I checked my facebook once....my blogger friend Leigh's son lives in T town.....I had to know if he was ok....as I sat in watched in stunned silence....I have to admit... it made me sick to see it taking place....and knowing there was nothing I could do. But...again....God is amazing....the campus itself...was not touched. As the death toll begin to rise...more and more places were hit...Oakman (hey! that is where my friend Trina's mom, Ms. Marty lives)....Elmore Co...which is near where I teach....had several deaths....Children's Harbor suffered a lot of damage, my friend Rhonda's parents house....gone...her parents were ok. Dadeville was in the line of fire....I have friends there...so the texting began....it was a frightening day/night for the entire state. I am sitting here at my desk this morning...and I could sleep for days....even when I did go to sleep....I dreamed of tornados. This morning....128+ confirmed dead....and I am sure daylight will bring more. Please pray for those affected by this horrendous storm....not just here...but everywhere in it's path.
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