My time spent in the Ozarks over the weekend went way too fast and was way too much fun. I’ve got a ton of great photos to share but before I post the fun photos I’ve got some not-so-fun photos I’d like to post first.
Chris and I left the Ozarks yesterday and headed to Nebraska where we’ll be spending the week to celebrate the 4th of July. As some of you may know, Nebraska has been getting hit pretty hard with tornados this summer. In fact as I write this at this very moment the sky is an eery black/green color and the National Weather Channel keeps beeping at me telling me to take cover. Poor Harlow won’t let me stand up because he refuses to leave my lap.
But anyway, about ten miles outside of the town where I grew up is a town called Pilger. Two weeks ago Pilger was hit by two tornados that absolutely tore the town apart. Here’s a photo storm chasers caught of the two twisters.
I’d seen photos of the destruction in Pilger, but as Chris and I drove by the town and saw it person it was even worse than I had expected. There were huge holes in the ground where only the bottom of a basement remained. Cars were flipped on their backs and some were just completely torn in half. But the hardest thing to see was families still searching through the mess looking for pieces of their lives.
It’s just sad to see a little town like Pilger taken out so quickly. In just a matter of minutes so many peoples lives were completely flipped upside down.
But luckily the people of Nebraska are resilient, they’ll rebuild.
If you’d like to help you can do so by clicking here. There’s also a song called “We’re Gonna Build Us A New Town” you can listen to here. CDs are being sold for the relief effort. You can also check out County Road Music for more information. Every little bit helps.
I know this is kind of a downer post for a Monday, but when something like this hits so close to home, it just wouldn’t feel right for me not to post about it.
I've been following the news about Pilger as well…its so scary and close to home! I know one of the blessings about our part of the US is that everyone will come together and help Pilger rebuild!
oh man that is terrible. thank you for sharing this I definitely want to help!
Living in Nebraska, and seeing the damage from not only Pilger but Beaver Crossing as well (I live about 20 mins from there) and also seeing how everyone in this state and communities have pulled together to help each other out, it makes me so proud to live in this wonderful state!
This is so sad and brings back memories of reliving Katrina and seeing the destruction all over again. Like us, they will rebuild! I hope they have a quick recovery.
I did NOT hear about this! So sorry that this happened to people and a community that you LOVE. This happened recently to a town, close to mine, called Tupelo, Mississippi. (Where Elvis was born) and it was horrible! Hope the rebuilding process is quick and easy!
OH MY GOSH. These pics are devastating. Hopefully people can remain hopeful! Let us know if there are any opportunities to help out!
wow those photos are heartbreaking. thinking of you all!
This is just heartbreaking. My thoughts & prayers are with all of those people!
So heartbreaking, I am sure that it was very emotional to see in person.
Such destruction is terrible and so heartbreaking
I'm sorry you have to see this– tornados can be so scary! I grew up in Iowa and a while I was in college the University got hit by one and a few months later a small town close by got hit. My parents volunteers use to help with the clean up efforts– its so scary how destructive they can be!
That is so sad.
I remember driving through a town in Missouri a few weeks after a tornado had hit. I've never seen anything like it in my life and will never forget the feeling of driving down Main Street, taking in the destruction.
Praying – I know all too well what it's like to experience a tornado's destruction firsthand, and to work disaster relief years later. It never gets easier, but with support, communities can and do rebuild. Prayers!
That's terrible! God bless those affected .. Good for you for sharing those links 🙂
Heartbreaking 🙁
wow, insane devastation. thinking of all those affected!
Those photos break my heart. A couple of years ago a huge tornado hit Joplin, MO and totally devastated the town. After only a couple months I went there to do a program for kids to help cope with the devastation, and I couldn't believe my eyes. It was so tragic. I can't even imagine what it would be like to go somewhere you used to live and see it like that. BUT what's awesome is I went back to Joplin 9 months later and HOLY COW it was a different place. There was a lot of devastation still, but so much had already been re-built. It shows how people can pick up and keep going.
Wow… those photos are absolutely devastating, but I love the one with the sign that says they will be back!