County mourns, moves forward
The breaks county residents have taken this week from cleaning and repairing property and homes in the wake of last week’s devastating EF-5 tornado have mostly been sombersome times, used to slip away long enough to grieve for family members and friends who perished in the storm.
The southern and eastern portions of the county were rocked by a massive tornado that killed 26 people here and more than 200 others across the state.
“The first thing I said when I looked up was, “town is gone,” said Jennifer Harris, who was sitting inside her car in downtown Phil Campbell when the powerful storm passed overhead.
Though the windows were broken out of her car on top of her, the only visible signs of trauma is a tiny scratch on her hand.
Many of her neighbors and friends were not so fortunate.
“Everybody in this community is hurting for somebody,” she said.
The storm ravaged families who were left to clean up their homes and lives while also dealing with the grief of lost loved ones.
“The community has been very supportive and helpful with one another and we have gotten more help than I could have ever imagined,” said Barry Pounders, who operates the Phil Campbell Rescue Squad.
The rescue squad building has been used for a number of purposes since moments after the tornado passed through the area.
In the initial moments following the storm, it quickly became the command center for rescue workers. Sadly, in the hours after that, it housed a temporary morgue.
Now, as volunteers and residents work to clean the town while completing relief efforts, the building hosts the American Red Cross, the ATF, FBI, a clinic and a doctor’s office.
Dr. Keith Morrow opened his clinic in the building Monday and saw 40 patients. Phil Campbell Drugs began filling prescriptions by using a courier service back and forth to Russellville.
The station also has Internet service available for people needing it.
The FBI has set up a missing persons hotline, though county officials believe most people are now accounted for. That phone number is 757-796-0331.
“The ATF also has an operation here for people who find guns during the recovery process,” Pounders said.
While volunteers have flocked to the area offering support and helping hands to those in Phil Campbell and East Franklin, countless others have given supplies and donations.
John James, who is serving as recovery operations director in Phil Campbell, said clothes are no longer needed, but he listed several items that residents do need.
James said charcoal and lighter fluid, garbage bags, household cleaning supplies, sports drinks, washing powder and notebooks are now needed most.
James said that power had been restored to 90 percent of the households that could be serviced and the water system was back to full capacity.
Phil Campbell High School resumed classes Monday at Northwest-Shoals Community College while the elementary school goes back today.
