John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Fifty-seven tornados ripped through my Alabama and other southern states on April 27th, 2011, leaving unbelievable destruction. Four of the tornadoes were F4s. Because of
April 27, 2011 F5 tornado doing catastrophic damage at Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Forty one people died.
the depth and breadth of the destruction…it would be days before the death toll was set at 238 in the state of Alabama. According to Mike Marshall of the Huntsville Times, the 1932 tornado killed 332. Many agencies are reporting that the April 27, 2011 tornado outbreak has a death toll to date of 315 across Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, and Mississippi.
Across Alabama countless homes, businesses, and schools (16) are damaged or destroyed….including Rainsville’s Plainview High School which received heavy damage. Here in DeKalb county we are stunned and humbled by the destruction and death left by the
Ginger Graham, Special Education Teacher at Plainview High School, is seen picking up books from the rubble left when portions of the school were destroyed by the F4 tornado that swept through Rainsville, DeKalb County, Alabama on April 27, 2011. Across the state...sixteen schools received minor to heavy damage.
F5 tornado. Numerous cell phone pics documented the monstrous storm as it authoritatively moved over the landscape. It cleared out a reported
path twenty-five miles long … half to three quarters of a mile wide and took 32 lives as it moved though portions of my home town of Rainsville, Alabama and neigboring areas in DeKalb County. We were safe in our Geraldine underground storm shelter which was built after the 1973 tornado that killed two neighbors.
My husband and I stood outside the door of our underground shelter and watched the monstrous storm approach us. As it approached we saw a vortex move out of the monster on its right. Two streaks of lightning flashed within the vortex before it danced its way back into the huge rotating cloud. I remember thinking that the vortex was dancing until it rejoined its mother. As it slowly moved directly above us…I stared up into its core which was continuing to lower. As it moved above me …..my skin tingled with its energy. My heart fell to its knees knowing the awesomeness of God’s mighty whirlwind. I could not believe it stayed above us. It began forcing down trees and power lines a mile beyond us before it began its major damage three miles away. Afterwards … it moved towards Rainsville and north DeKalb County …continuing its catastrophic damage to lives and property (32 killed). Text messages to warn family and friends we knew were in its path were unsuccessful because of the storm’s interference. Why did it just wave its vortex at me as it passed and later drop its power and hurt down on many others? I don’t know.
As it rains on both the just and the unjust, tornadoes affect both the righteous and unrighteous. Only God knows why one person is taken and the man next door is left. Only God knows. We dare not say!!!!
As we were left alive in Dekalb County…Our daughter was ’left’ in Tuscaloosa and other students ‘taken’ as an F5 tornado did incredible destruction there ). In the aftermath, she and six friends filled their backpacks with bottled water and trekked fifteen miles round trip to the poorest and hard hit area known as Alberta City where stunned residents walked around in disbelief . Near the end of their journey they met an
In Tuscaloosa, five minutes from the University of Alabama campus, Search and Rescue continued for days before 41 fatalities were counted.
elderly woman who broke forth in tears as they handed her the water. They hugged her as she cried and assured her how much they cared for her pain. My daughter and her friends understand what they carried to the elderly woman whom they met walking amidst the rubble. They handed her a bottle of water…but what they gave her was compassion, caring, and love from God.
These storms destroyed and spared both the rich and poor, churched and unchurched, old and young…secular and religious properties. As I try to absorb it all, I do know that those who had underground shelters and basements survived. Many who were above ground did not survive. Many above ground did survive. Alabama landscape is forever changed. Alabama’s people are changed…for the better. Today, in the midst of the rubble, there is no Democrat or Republican, no rich or poor, no religious or non-religious….all are people needing people.
Man’s days are few and full of trouble. Tribulation of the past few days has certainly brought a calm of reality over the people as we are again reminded of Ecc 5:15: ‘ As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.’
As people, we are never better than when we are serving others. Amidst the wood, stubble, and hay that has been destroyed, we see man’s spirit rise to new heights. We know, see, and experience man as God intends him to be…loving neighbor as self. It is only in weakness where strength is found. It is only in need where giving is glorified. And among so many things one cannot know, I know that it is in death where Life is found. God’s very nature brings restoration, regeneration, and renewal. Like a tree, we have been hewn down. But the roots remain and we will spring forth new life from what has been destroyed. We will come forth humbled, grateful, ….a stronger people…a wiser people. As I said earlier, the Alabama landscape is forever changed….and the hearts of her people are bettered for the experience.
[...] “As people, we are never better than when we are serving others. Amidst the wood, stubble, and hay that has been destroyed, we see man’s spirit rise to new heights. We know, see, and experience man as God intends him to be…loving neighbor as self. It is only in weakness where strength is found. It is only in need where giving is glorified. And among so many things one cannot know, I know that it is in death where Life is found. God’s very nature brings restoration, regeneration, and renewal. Like a tree, we have been hewn down. But the roots remain and we will spring forth new life from what has been destroyed. We will come forth humbled, grateful, ….a stronger people…a wiser people. As I said earlier, the Alabama landscape is forever changed….and the hearts of her people are bettered for the experience.” John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. The deadly tornado outbreak ripped through my Alabama and other southern states on April 27th leaving unbelievable destruction. Because of
Thank you for these heartening words in the wake of such disaster. It seems so incredible and so tragic that so much damage could happen so quickly.
We have had many series of disasters down-under, but we thank God that we have been spared human tragedy. My prayers are with you over there. I am reminded of what Paul wrote in Romans 8:
“Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (NLT)
Amen! Thank you for those Words of comfort. Amidst the loss of lives, many businesses and jobs are lost. Sixteen schools were damaged or destroyed. But Life comes forth from death. A seed must be planted and die to flourish. Some of the F4 tornados are being upgraded by structural experts as F5s. The photo and video footage of all of the tornadoes across the southeastern United States are documented. Never in my life have I been more aware of the awesome power and unspeakable beauty of God’s whirlwinds. Nature commands and deserves our respect!
Again, thank for visiting and for the word of comfort.
I am glad you are ok out of this. The tornadoes were coming through North Carolina also. My first thought was unsaved loved ones, because I was out of town that day. WE never know when our time has come until it happens. We should respect each day as a gift.
Yes, every day is a Gift. My son was a job supervisor at Cherry Point Marine base at the time….our youngest daughter at University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa where 42 died (survived though in the midst of the destroyed area), our oldest daughter and family is in Rainsville where 32 died. Our son arrived in Oklahoma City the night before the outbreak there. Tornadoes were all around him. Faith is never more understood than when one is able to fully trust God in both life and in death. I have learned more about humility and gratefulness in the face of such disaster and loss which remains all around us….all over Alabama and the entire country. God, truly, is our only Hope.
Thanks for visiting, Marianne.
When I read “I have overcome the world” I thought, “Yes, and that means I, too, have overcome the world.: It puts my troubles into God’s perspective. Thank you for the reminder.