IT'S ALWAYS SHOCKING TO SEE

  It doesn't matter how many times I see the aftermath of a tornado, it's never less shocking and heartbreaking. Tuesday, February 5th was a historic day in terms of weather across parts of the country. It was the biggest tornado outbreak in more than 20 years with more than 50 tornadoes touching down across several southern states. It was also the first time in 10 years that a high risk for severe weather was issued in the month of February. Normally about a half dozen are issued for the entire year. By the way, those risks along with all watches come out of the Severe Storms Lab in Norman, Oklahoma. 

  Eastern Oklahoma was part of the slight to medium risk that day, but Arkansas was in the high risk. A powerful jet stream, strong storm system and major cold front slammed into areas that were in the 80s and humid. That's normal for spring, but spells disaster in winter. The death toll is still rising, but at least 13 people died in Arkansas. 4 of those died in the small town of Atkins which is south of I-40, northwest of Little Rock and 90 miles from the Oklahoma state line. Of the 4 who died were a couple and their 11 year old daughter whose home took a direct hit, and a man whose body was found tangled high up in a tree. There are only about 3000 people in Atkins, but what happened on Tuesday was unfortunately the biggest thing to strike this lakeside town. 

  I was there to survey the damage, speak with the victims and report those findings live on News Channel 8. Television pictures never accurately portray the enormity of the disaster. It doesn't relay the smell of pine that I experienced from all the trees that were uprooted or split into pieces, or the stench of dead animals from underneath the ruble. It doesn't always show what it's like to have to watch where you step because of downed power lines, shards of glass and metal, deep pockets of mud, and the victim's personal belongings. You don't always get to hear the cries, anger or shock in the distance from those who lost everything.  

  I saw piles of debris taller than a one story house, cars and trucks turned upside down, slabs of concrete where someone's home once stood, and structures that were so badly damaged that you couldn't tell if it used to be a house, mobile home or business. And then there's the mystery of tornadoes as shown in the homes that stood untouched directly across the street from those that were destroyed. 

  What also amazes me is the kindness that the victims extended to me even though they had tears in their eyes after losing everything. One of the victims offered me food and water that was given to them by the Red Cross. Of course I refused the incredible gesture. Even as they were working hard to pick up giant wooden boards or sheets of metal to look underneath for something they owned, they always took a moment to talk to me and tell me their story. Every story is truly amazing. For instance, there's the divorced young father whose only love in his life is his little girl who lives with her mom. This father, John Duvall, lived in a mobile home but was away at work when the tornado struck. He immediately tried to drive home but couldn't get near his neighborhood so he ran the last 3 miles. When he arrived his home was gone, completely, with absolutely no sign of it or what was inside. When I asked him what he was the most upset over losing. He didn't say it was his home. He didn't say it was anything of monetary value. He said it was the keepsakes he had of his daughter especially the pictures of them together. I don't mind admitting as a father of an 8 year old girl myself that my eyes welled up when he told me that. By the way, his daughter was safe. 

  Then there was the story of Brenda and Cecil McLain. Cecil was home alone 15 minutes before the tornado hit. He normally stays home at that time, but decided to go get something to eat. Something he said he never does until his wife gets home, but he thanks God for giving him the hunger and desire to leave. Shortly  after he left, his house was destroyed by the tornado. His wife Brenda was at the local church's daycare center where she teaches and takes care of the neighborhood toddlers. When the tornado hit the church, Brenda was next door in the daycare center laying her body across the kids shielding them from the flying debris. The church was a total loss, but the daycare center only received minor damage. Parents were frantic trying to get to the center not knowing that inside Brenda had saved their children's lives. 

  Finally, there's the story of the waitress who waited on us when we stopped for a bite on the way to Atkins. She told me how she was driving on I-40 towards Atkins when her husband called her and told her about the tornado. She pulled her car over and looked out her driver's side window. What she saw she'll never forget, a giant gray cloud on the ground the width of a football stadium. Her car started shaking as the tornado approached. Another car on I-40 drove right past her without stopping. After the tornado crossed in front of her, she continued on her way and saw that same car that passed her upside down on the side of the interstate.  

  I'm sure there are many more stories like those that I didn't get to hear. In the meantime my respect continues for tornadoes and it's victims. Just as my commitment continues to warn the viewers of News Channel 8 anytime there's the possibility of a tornado, because I have seen firsthand over and over what it can do and the lives it can ruin and even take away.