Emergency personnel responds

After the EF4 tornado tore across the east end of Franklin County leaving a path of destruction and devastation through Phil Campbell and East Franklin, emergency personnel in the area immediately went into action.

As soon as 911 calls came streaming in with catastrophic reports, ambulance services, fire departments and law enforcement agencies all mobilized and sped to the aid of friends and neighbors who were in their darkest hour.

When workers reached the town of Phil Campbell and the East Franklin community, the sight was something most of them had never seen in their lifetime: homes demolished and unrecognizable, buildings destroyed and ripped to shreds, and people hurt and dying all around them.

The devastation was so complete that Russellville Hospital issued a state of emergency on Wednesday and activated their disaster plan – procedures that help the hospital prepare for an overwhelming situation.

According to Keri Moody, Director of Medical Staff Services, Russellville Hospital received 38 patients from the tornado-damaged areas before they reached capacity and had to divert emergency vehicles to Lakeland Community Hospital in Haleyville, Red Bay Hospital, Helen Keller Hospital and Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital.

“The patients had injuries ranging from bruises and scratches to injuries requiring surgery,” Moody said.

Even though Moody did not give an exact number, she did confirm there were people who died after arriving at the hospital.

Moody said extra staff and personnel were called in to assist with the overwhelming number of patients streaming into the hospital

“I have never seen anything like this,” Moody said.

“We have had situations at the hospital that we have called an emergency, but never something of this magnitude. Never.”

Moody said Russellville Hospital continued to receive patients on Thursday and had admitted 14 additional patients throughout the day.

“We have received tremendous support from our physicians during this time,” Moody said. “We’re still fully functional and open and will continue to treat those who are injured.”