Thomas was in his home when the tornado struck and took refuge downstairs until it passed. During clean up efforts, he only had open-toe shoes to wear and received a few minor cuts and bruises.

SUFFOLK, Va. - Thomas was playing video games one minute and fighting for his life the next. Today, he sifts through mounds of debris in hopes of finding pieces of his life.

The 20-year-old was in his home when one of at least 3 tornadoes touched down in southeastern Virginia in early April. He ran downstairs to find shelter, only for the tornado to flip his house on its side, completely off the foundation.

"I saw the tornado out the window and I was terrified," he said. "My ears started to pop and it had me pinned against the wall. I couldn’t move."

After the tornado passed, he struggled to free himself from under piles of drywall, carpet and wood. He was cut and bruised, but okay.

Marcia carries papers she found in the debris back to where her home once stood.

"Thank God nothing too heavy fell on me," Thomas said. "Now I can say I lived through a tornado."

Thomas joined his mother and brother to sift through what remained of their home. The trio was up to their waist in debris and asking for help.

"I asked for help but no one has come," said Marcia, Thomas’ mother. "I don’t know how we can do this on our own."

As she fought back the tears, a man appeared from beyond the rubble asking if anyone needed help. Marcia yelled back that she did.

Within minutes a crew of more than 20 people who were volunteering with Operation Blessing appeared from beyond the debris and started sifting through her belongings helping her sort items to keep and throw away.

"This is such a blessing to have help," she said. "We couldn’t have done this alone."

On the first day homeowners were allowed back in their neighborhoods, about 200 people – including 60 military personnel – volunteered with OBI to start cleanup efforts in 4 neighborhoods affected by the storms.

"No one is ever ready for something like this, especially in a place where things like this never happen," said OBI President Bill Horan. "That’s why we are here to help."

The United Way of South Hampton Roads spearheaded the volunteer efforts and linked arms with Operation Blessing and the Suffolk Police Department to help coordinate their efforts.
OBI also teamed up with other partners such as Kenneth Copeland Ministries, Samaritan’s Purse, The American Red Cross of Southeastern Virginia, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, Mercy Chefs and God’s Pit Crew. Chaplains from Billy Graham’s Evangelical Association were also onsite providing counseling services to victims.

"I am holding out hope that I find my CD case," Thomas said. "But the most important thing is that we all made out it alive – even our dog."

On the first day homeowners were allowed back in their neighborhoods, about 200 people – including 60 military personnel – volunteered with OBI to start cleanup efforts in 4 neighborhoods affected by the storms.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can help by making an online donation toward OBI's disaster relief efforts. With your support, we can continue to provide emergency relief and recovery. Please make an on-line donation today.

 

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