Sunday evening saw disaster happen in the Pine Belt. An already unusual Easter Sunday where churches could not meet in a physical building, businesses were forced to close early or not open at all, and streets were thinner was capped by an evening that saw severe storms produce back-to-back tornadoes that ripped through Covington, Jones, and Jasper County.
The pair of tornadoes left a path of destruction and devastation to countless homes and businesses, leaving people shook, hurt, and some seemingly broken.
It did not take days, or even hours for Mississippians to respond. With the wind and rain still trickling down, men gathered their chainsaws, tractors, and other equipment to help their neighbors. Men and women came from neighboring towns to cut trees from roadways to help people they did not know.
Less than 24 hours had passed and local restaurants banded together to serve hot meals to victims who needed something to eat. Businesses like Sanderson Farms brought 18-wheelers with boxes of ice to Soso, Mississippi. Chick-Fil-A delivered sandwich boxes. Hog Heaven, The Smokehouse of Laurel, and countless other business owners banded together to make sure first responders were well fed.
For myself, seeing the aftermath of this disaster took my breath. I love the Pine Belt. I grew up here. To see homes and churches destroyed in the Moss community that I passed by weekly made me weep. However, seeing communities band together to repair, clothe, and feed their neighbors brought hope. It brought a joy that despite the rubble and brokenness of buildings, the Pine Belt will overcome this dark time.
William Woodsworth has a quote that is fitting, It goes, “That best portion of a man's life is his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love.”
Many, many names won’t get mentioned as the ones above. Truth be told, they likely do not care if they are mentioned. They will be remembered though. Whether that is by name, a chopped up tree from their chainsaw, a tarp put on a leaking home, a fresh set of clothing or a hot meal is given.
What happens when a disaster hits home? The people of the Pine Belt respond.