March 11, 2008
“I don’t know how we survived. Only God knows,” said Geraldine Hanson, as she showed me her mother's devastated trailer, shattered by one of nine violent tornadoes that crashed through Alabama during the last two and a half weeks.
One person was killed, 50 wounded, and over 300 homes and 40 businesses were damaged and destroyed by the violent system of tornados that roared through Alabama in late February according to the National Weather Service in Birmingham. Winds were estimated at 125 miles per hour.
Geraldine, her young son and her 83-year-old mother huddled on the floor while the tornado raged, ripping off the roof, tearing off the walls and crushing the back half of the trailer.
Geraldine's own trailer, located next to her mother's, was completely blown way. "It looks like it exploded." she said. "You can't even tell there was ever a house there."
In less than one minute, Geraldine and her elderly mother lost everything. It was a miracle they survived with only scratches and bruises.
"I was cooking dinner at my mother's when I heard a strange sound," said Geraldine, a nursing assistant who helps care for her ailing mother. "I looked out the door and saw a wall of water headed right toward us. I quickly called my son and the three of us got on the floor as the wind started howling. It sounded like a giant waterfall.
"I looked up once and the back of the trailer was moving in and out like it was breathing. Then it was gone. Debris was flying all around us and the walls gave way.
"For a while we were lifted off the ground and I thought, 'This is it, we're goners.' But then we were back on the ground." The tornado had picked the house off its foundation and turned it sideways.
"If we had been in my trailer, we would not be here today," Geraldine said, pointing to the bare patch of land where the second trailer home had stood.
For hundreds of feet in all directions, the woods were littered with shattered glass, splintered wood, shredded insulation and twisted tin. Remnants of clothing, furniture and appliances were strewn over more than an acre. Nothing resembling her home of the past eight years was in one piece. The tornado even ripped out the trailer footings that were set nearly two feet deep in cement.
Her son, Terrence, poked a stick through the debris that had been his home since he was three years old. "I can’t find any of my stuff," he said quietly. "It’s all gone."
My heart went out to this hard-working family, whose only clothes were the ones Geraldine found in their washer that had been picked up by the tornado and tossed into the woods. Hidden among the brush, she later found the framed photo of her oldest son, who served two years with the Army Reserve in Iraq.
Geraldine moved back to rural Dallas County to be near her mother eight years ago when her husband died. They both tried to get homeowner's insurance, but couldn't find any company that would insure their 25-year-old used trailers.
As we stood at the muddy rain-soaked disaster site, I knew I had to help Geraldine and her family. Even though I don't have the money, I went out and found a good used trailer. I know it will cost $1,200 to pour a concrete pad, move the trailer into place, hook up power lines and install plumbing to an existing septic tank. In addition, the Missions must spend $200 for each family to buy basic medicine, food and clothes. In my entire life, I have never planned for nine disasters in one day. I am coming to you for critical caring help for the stricken families.
Before we left, Geraldine pointed to the one wall that was still standing in her mother’s kitchen. On it hung the time-worn plaque they have cherished four generations: The family that prays together, stays together. "That's true, Father," she said. "God is good. If we lived through a tornado, I know our family can get through whatever is ahead." With your compassionate response, we can help Geraldine and other tornado victims get through the days ahead and build a new future. You are in my prayers, always.
Serving the Savior,
Father Richard Myhalyk, S.S.E.
