LIFE GOES ON FOR THOSE OF US WITHOUT DAMAGE FROM THE APRIL STORM THAT BROUGHT HISTORICAL TORNADO DAMAGE TO RESIDENCES AND BUSINESSES IN THE SOUTHEAST. But in the communities where life was forever changed the basics of recovery have only just begun. Nothing is back to normal, and for some people in the Phil Campbell, Hackleburg, Mount Hope, Tuscaloosa, and Birmingham area it never will be the same. My family was thankfully safe during the storm and sustained little damage. We have yet to find out about a beautiful piece of property I’ve spoken of before. we suspect it was right in the path, but even if every old tree was hit, that is nothing compared to the loss of lives that others have felt in that same area. At this point there is very little access to anyone who does not actually live in that area to preserve the safety of the people remaining there.

What has interested me in the midst of all this damage and pain are the things that have happened as an effect of the storm. Day after day I have seen the facebook statuses of those who did have power or phone access. Their posts speak of the daily missions they are on to help their friends and neighbors. Churches and community organizations have united to provide food, shelter, clothing, and even chainsaws for those areas.

For me, the little pieces of paper and photos found over hours away in innocent yards have shocked me. What a testament to the power of that tornado. A baby photo or bill or old prescription is whipped away in an instant and then gets dropped in a stranger’s yard. Not next door, but hundreds of miles away. A facebook group has formed to help others find those precious few photos that might have made it though the storm. In some cases, what seemed mundane and ordinary before the storm may just be priceless now.

The photo above was posted on the facebook group called Pictures and Documents found after the April 27, 2011 Tornadoes and it features photos and documents which were found by strangers. In the case of this photo, the son of one of the women in the photo recognized his mother and aunt in the photo. The aunt’s house was destroyed in the tornado. You can follow the comment section under the photo to find out more.

There have also been special shelters set up for the pets who were lost or misplaced during the storm. Can you imagine how wonderful it would be to have your family pet recovered in this situation? That is also set up on a facebook group page called Animals Lost & Found from the Tornadoes in Alabama on 4/27/11, but I did see links to other facilities and sources who are also broadcasting photos for people in hopes of a reunion.

I hope to post more information on the relief efforts and needs as time goes on. Once we get past the immediate needs, there will be ongoing help needed to rebuild and renew these families. I know you will want to be a part of that community.