When the Lights Came Back On
One week after a history-making outbreak of severe thunderstorms and tornados wreaked havoc throughout the south, the lights finally came on yesterday for most of the northern counties of Alabama. The cable networks, including the Weather Channel, focused (albeit deservedly) on Tuscaloosa and Birmingham, so in more ways than one North Alabama was left in the dark. Officials are still assessing damage, and the death toll count for our state finally appears to be slowing (236, but with scores still listed as missing). Total loss of life across the south is at least 330.
My family was fortunate. Whereas there is devastation in abundance within a mile or two in any direction, we fared pretty well. While many had their lives and homes uprooted with every toppled tree, we only had to deal with the relative inconvenience of a 6+ day power outage. While we had to navigate roads strewn with snapped power lines, dodging these and other obstacles while in search of supplies, others are picking over piles of rubble in search of their memories. We try to do our part, helping neighbors as we can, patching a roof to prevent further water damage (that was fun), checking in on family and cleaning up debris. But at the end of the day, you come home to lanterns, cold water showers and peanut-butter sandwiches. And we never were so thankful for the simple blessings.
It was surreal. The night sky was never so full of stars. And we adjusted, more so as the days wore on. We slept well, being governed not by clocks and alarms, but by the rising and setting sun. Our connection to the outside world was through a radio whose batteries lasted far longer than we expected. We heard about OBL, but honestly that news felt anti-climactic and out of place. It's a different world in the dark, I guess. There was a certain relief in being detached from the outside world. We were surviving just fine, and managed to keep the perspective of just how fortunate we were.
You'd think that we would be overjoyed when the lights came back on, and we were. It meant hot showers, and a return to "normalcy." Yet I found the experience once again, surreal. We had connected with something, during our days in the dark. Was it simplicity? Was it real community, the kind that doesn't involve monitors and networks and electrons? I don't know. But whatever that something was, I fear that it will be lost as our lives return to what they were before the storms. I know it seems heedless and unappreciative given the suffering around us, but I think I will miss some of what we found this past week. The simplicity, the community, the surviving. We truly live very privileged lives, full of ease and convenience. For a few days, maybe we got a taste of what we're actually missing, even to our detriment.
But enough navel gazing. There are those still in real need, suffering real loss, and work to be done to help. May their recovery come speedily.
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Jun '10
Re: When the Lights Came Back On
Glad to hear that you and yours made it through the storm safely. We have family in Florence and Scottsboro. Both groups had little actual storm damage but were, like you, without power. It was very much a situation of neighbor helping neighbor.
May '10
Re: When the Lights Came Back On
I know what you mean. I never spent so much time with my neighbors as during the 10 days without power after Hurricane Ike. Every night, we gathered around a firepit in the street and feasted on whatever was likely to spoil soon. Need really draws people together, for joy as well as care.
Jun '10
Re: When the Lights Came Back On
Thanks, AUMom, and I'm glad your family fared well also. Scottsboro is just 20 minutes up the road. Drive through there all the time.
I agree, need does draw people together, at least in our case. It was quite remarkable. Lots of neighborhoods brought out grills to cook food, and several groceries put out big spreads (some for free, others for a reasonable price) to feed area residents. Restaurants with generators catered to first responders and utility crews too. And more than a few speculated on the similarities to a hurricane aftermath, given the wide scope and area of the damage and power outage.
Jun '10
Re: When the Lights Came Back On
Thank God y'all are alright! Do you know of any legitimate organization in North Alabama willing to take on a volunteer? My summer just freed up and I'm looking to do something constructive.
Jun '10
Re: When the Lights Came Back On
Funny you should mention that ... I was just reading about efforts to coordinate that kind of information. Of additional note are jobs being posted for storm recovery efforts. The links in these articles point to recognized organizations. And of course the governor is encouraging folks to use www.servealabama.gov as a starting point. Needless to say, I suspect there are plenty of opportunities.
Thanks much for the well wishes, and for your service.
Aug '10
Re: When the Lights Came Back On
I know I've mentioned 'em before, but have you heard of Team Rubicon? They're doing cleanup and reconstruction throughout Alabama, and they prefer volunteers with military training, perhaps exclusively so.
Great guys. Ultra-legit.
Re: When the Lights Came Back On
What a great post. Thanks, Jim.
May '10
Re: When the Lights Came Back On
I was in Shelby County during the storm. We did not have much damage. The tornado headed for us lifted up before entering Shelby. I have made 2 trips home to south Huntsville. There was no damage to our house there either, except for no electricity.
The trips have been uneventful but surreal. As you travel between north Birmingham and Huntsville you see damage after damage after damage you would normally consider major. But you know that most of what you are seeing is really not major by comparison to Tuscaloosa and north Birmingham and a host of small towns scattered throughout north Alabama.
It most surely makes you count your blessings, over and over again.
Jun '10
Re: When the Lights Came Back On
Glad to hear that you are okay, Sally. Stay safe!
Jun '10
Re: When the Lights Came Back On
Jim Chase
Funny you should mention that ... I suspect there are plenty of opportunities.
Thanks much for the well wishes, and for your service. · May 4 at 2:41pm
Yes, Sir. Thank you.
Midget Faded Rattlesnake
I know I've mentioned 'em before, but have you heard of Team Rubicon? They're doing cleanup and reconstruction throughout Alabama, and they prefer volunteers with military training, perhaps exclusively so.
Great guys. Ultra-legit. · May 4 at 5:12pm
I haven't, but I'm going to call them tomorrow. Thank you so much for the link! I don"t know why Gov. Deal hasn't called us out -- the National Guard Reaction Force battalion for the Deep South is a Georgia unit -- but I'm tired of waiting. My last exam for the semester is tomorrow and I'm cleared with my unit to head out, so hopefully I can hit the road by Saturday.
May '10
Re: When the Lights Came Back On
Thanks for posting this. I'm glad you and your family are safe and have such a thoughtful perspective on things. Please keep us posted about recovery efforts. Natural disasters, even ones with such a great loss of life like this one, sometimes disappear from the headlines rather quickly, unfortunately.
May '10
Re: When the Lights Came Back On
I am glad that you and your family are safe. So many disasters in such a short space of time. It should give us cause to reflect on the Psalm 90:12, "So teach us to number our days: that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."
Edited on May 5, 2011 at 9:37amMar '11
Re: When the Lights Came Back On
I, too, thank you for this update. As your northwest neighbor [in Memphis], news of this disaster has touched us deeply. We know, far too well, the destructive power of tornadoes.
Thank you, too, for posting the links for the relief organizations specific to Alabama. Living only a few hours away, I might actually have the opportunity to help.
Casey, if you do get to do this, please let us know!
Jun '10
Re: When the Lights Came Back On
To all, thank you for the kind comments and well wishes for our communities. It means a great deal.
Sometimes, it is just the simplest things. For example, my company has a charitable outreach arm that I serve on as a board member - we just donated a couple laptops and cellular air cards to one of the local makeshift command posts for area relief, so that families can come and register their damage claims with FEMA, insurance, etc. Whether it be food and water, or even online access to fill out critical paperwork, every bit is important. And we'll be doing more in the weeks and months ahead. As will everybody.
Again, my thanks.
Jun '10
Re: When the Lights Came Back On
Debbie Stevens:
Casey, if you do get to do this, please let us know! · May 5 at 2:10pm
Will do. I contacted Team Rubicon and volunteered my services, so hopefully they'll hit me back this weekend.
Dec '10
Re: When the Lights Came Back On
Jim, I don't want to be crass, but you brought it up so I'll put it out there. First, I am grateful that you and yours are safe, second, I am grateful that volunteers are moving in, but, third, professional teams are also moving in.
People usually underestimate the amount of organization and commitment involved in disaster recovery; it turns into a slog, day in and out, beyond the means of volunteer efforts.
Workers need housing and food, but in such a way that it doesn't hinder getting housing and food to the locals, on the ground. There is a lot of unemployment in this country, right now, and professional disaster response companies are going to be looking for employees, beginning right now.
I got an email within the last hour indicating to me that a comapny I sometimes contract out to will be in the area, beginning tonight. For myself, I will probably going down to the Gulf to continue efforts down there, though I have requested an assignment to Alabama or NC. (continued)
Dec '10
Re: When the Lights Came Back On
However, I am posting this comment solely to open a line of communication for Ricochet members, or family, or friends, that might be looking for work. They are going to be needed.
Jim, I especially encourage you to suggest local people that could be put into paying jobs, but everybody should understand that entities such as FEMA are shells, and they require private companies to come in that understand how to create payrolls, lodging, meals services, etc. However, as situations like this can never be handled solely at the local level, I would also encourage other people to conatct me if travel and rough living/working may be appropriate. I assume I can be emailed through my profile, but will also check back on this thread.
Best to all.
Somebody has to do this work and Ricochet seems like a good pool to draw from.
Jun '10
Re: When the Lights Came Back On
CJ, I absolutely agree, and believe me, I don't think many are underestimating the challenge before us - especially those of us in the Huntsville area, which took direct hits in 1989, 1995 and 2010 ('89 being the worst). With 41 of 67 counties in the state being declared disaster areas, the task ahead is monumental, and will take months and years to restore and rebuild. You are correct, the spirit of volunteerism is high right now, and that's a good thing. But when the headlines fade, and heat of summer arrives, there will still be work to be done. The fact that the state is coordinating with businesses to bring in professionals is a good thing, and people are being directed to the state job boards.
Volunteers can only do so much, because they often lack the essential skills. I really look at it as an all of the above. We have emergency first responders, then follows the members of the community volunteering aid, charitable organizations and ministries, and then the professionals. The gratifying thing, at least so far, is that people aren't looking at government as a savior, but as a partner. We're "all in."
Jun '10
Re: When the Lights Came Back On
Alright, I leave on Saturday for Dora, Alabama! These Team Rubicon guys are pretty great.
Jun '10
Re: When the Lights Came Back On
CJRun: However, I am posting this comment solely to open a line of communication for Ricochet members, or family, or friends, that might be looking for work. They are going to be needed.
Jim, I especially encourage you to suggest local people that could be put into paying jobs, but everybody should understand that entities such as FEMA are shells, and they require private companies to come in that understand how to create payrolls, lodging, meals services, etc. However, as situations like this can never be handled solely at the local level, I would also encourage other people to conatct me if travel and rough living/working may be appropriate. I assume I can be emailed through my profile, but will also check back on this thread.
Best to all.
Somebody has to do this work and Ricochet seems like a good pool to draw from. · May 5 at 5:20pm
CJ, I'll be out there tomorrow through at least Tuesday morning, when I have to be back here in GA for a military commitment. Depending on how bad things are, and if I can find some more use for my services, I'll probably be back.