Author: Pamela Walker, Communications Director
When a group of us set out for Greensboro this week to work alongside other volunteers assisting with clearing debris in a neighborhood ravaged by a tornado, I’m not sure everyone knew what to expect. Many often see pictures or video on the news of areas hit by tornadoes, but when we saw the damage in the Woodbriar Estates neighborhood hit hard by nature’s wrath on Sunday, April 15, it was mind-blowing and heartbreaking. At the same time, it was heartwarming to see volunteers hard at work trying to help the neighborhood start the awesome task of cleaning up and repairing their homes.
Everywhere you looked there were large trees uprooted with many that had landed on homes or cars. You also could see home after home covered with blue tarps due to the roofs being ripped off, and the rain had soaked everything inside. Many windows were missing the glass or it was shattered. Streets throughout the neighborhood were lined with thousands of tree limbs and debris.
A team of employees from the Department of Public Safety, including Secretary Erik Hooks and some of his leadership team, as well as some Emergency Management employees, the deputy chief at State Capitol Policy and about five Highway Patrol troopers, spent a few hours working with some volunteers from Baptists on Mission. Downed trees were cut to manageable size so they could be carted to the curb. Some used rakes and wheelbarrows to pick up limbs and other debris to clear yards, driveways and sidewalks.
Several homeowners came out to thank the volunteers. One 92-year old woman was giving out hugs to show her appreciation. Another couple offered volunteers a seat to rest, something to drink or welcomed them into their home to use the restroom despite having no power.
That same couple shared the story of how they huddled in a bathtub when they got the emergency alert of a tornado warning in their area. They said they heard it blast through, but it was gone in a matter of seconds.
“I have heard others describe tornadoes as sounding like freight trains and that’s exactly what it sounded like to me,” the woman said.
For Secretary Hooks, he said we should all want to help people not just in our jobs, but by volunteering in communities. He said the time spent there was a blessing to him. It was a blessing to all of us and we won’t soon forget the people we met.