Latest news with #EF-4
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2 days ago
- General
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Support groups address storm anxiety, survivor's guilt
May 30—GREENFIELD — Driving through Greenfield one year after the fatal EF-4 tornado hit, signs of recovery are everywhere. A year after the fatal EF-4 tornado devastating Greenfield, the rebuilding effort is in full swing. From construction crews working on erecting homes to piles of lumber waiting to be used, the town's progress toward a "new normal," is evident. But even when all the homes are built and residents are back in Greenfield, some scars will take longer to heal. Mental Health The National Library of Medicine reports post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety and binge drinking or substance abuse as mental health impacts of tornadoes. Studies found women were more likely to report more PTSD symptoms than men after a tornado, but men were more likely to experience depression. During an event recognizing the one-year anniversary of the tornado, many groups came together to share the resources still available for those who haven't healed from the devastation. One group, Project Recovery Iowa, was able to recruit one of Greenfield's own to assist in the aftermath. "DBHRT was on the ground after the tornado, which is Disaster Behavioral Health Response Team, and through them, I got recruited into project recovery," Whitney Lewis said. "I was already doing the work. I've lived here for 23 years. These people are my family. DBHRT spotted the work that I was already doing and said you're already doing it, why don't you join our team and we can really do something with this, having somebody who knows everybody who lives here, who's passionate about it." While DBHRT is a trained team of volunteers who can mobilize resources to provide post-disaster mental health services statewide, Project Recovery Iowa provides connections for more longterm support. One of the things stressed by many of the groups was that it's normal to not be OK, even a year later. This could be seen as some came through in tears, breaking down as they spoke to those offering support. Whitney Lewis, a resident of Greenfield for the last 23 years, is now a member of Project Recovery Iowa, helping her community and others through catastrophes. "There have been ups and downs throughout the year," Lewis said. "Here especially at the one year, and the weeks leading up to this, people have been having those anxieties all over again, reliving that day. With the storms that come through, people have storm anxiety. But then I've also seen a tremendous amount of resilience. People don't give themselves enough credit. They are stronger than they think they are." A graph depicting the phases of emotions pre- and post-disaster show a high directly after the event as the community comes together in the wake of the tragedy. From there, a steep dive hits as the "honeymoon" wears off and work still needs to be done. Jobs pick back up again and triggers come in the form of storms. Many feel spirits begin to lift as projects are completed, but the anniversary of the event often results in another emotional dip as memories resurface. Support Options As the year went on, the people of Greenfield never stopped helping one another. "We've been doing monthly support group meetings," Lewis said. "People are coming out and feeling more comfortable talking amongst their friends. It is just a casual, relaxed atmosphere where we just talk." The support group — Community Conversations — is held approximately once a month at the Greenfield United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. The last group was held Tuesday and focused on survivor's guilt, an excessive feeling of guilt for surviving something that maybe others have not or having very little physical damage to themselves or their property. The meetings are an opportunity to come together with space to eat, talk and learn, as well as a space to give and receive care. "We've talked a lot about self-care and coping mechanisms and being aware of how you're feeling," Lewis explained. "If you're getting fixated on this weather app and this weather app open at the same time, taking a breath, shutting it off, trying to relax and taking a deep breath." The group shares best practices with one another about how they are able to calm down during an anxious situation. In addition, Lewis said it's a way to hold each other accountable. "If I see you're not in a good spot, I'm going to let you know," she said. While there isn't a set date for Community Conversations, information can be found on the Greenfield United Methodist Facebook, by calling (641) 743-2715 or by subscribing to the Greater Greenfield Foundation weekly email. One resource available for seniors in the community is Senior Life Solutions, a hospital-based program that supports older adults experiencing depression, anxiety or other mental challenges often associated with aging. The voluntary program, facilitated by the Adair County Health System, includes individual and group therapy, psychiatry, medication management and health screens. Older adults, especially those with mobility issues or limited support, typically have a harder time coping with stress after a natural disaster. According to the Adair County Health System, most participants in the program experience a reduction in feelings of depression, anxiety, isolation and loneliness. For more information, visit or call (641) 743-7202. Thursday marks the first Greenfield Farmers Market of the year, and the Iowa State University Extension Office will be there to talk about self-care in challenging times. The talk will be held in the square from 6 to 7:30 p.m. "In the middle of the demands of daily life, it's easy to forget about self-care," the event description states. "Explore six simple strategies to help you recharge and stay grounded." Other organizations that provide mental health support include Zion Integrated Behavioral Health Services in Greenfield and Creston and Crossroads Behavioral Health Services in Creston. One area Zion specializes in is assistance with substance abuse. "Research shows that natural disasters, such as hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes and tornadoes, as well as other types of disasters, can result in increased substance use among people who previously did not use substances, as well as in those with prior substance use disorders," the American Addiction Center states. "Although anyone can be affected by trauma-related substance use disorders, certain populations may have a higher risk, including those with prior SUDs, first responders, those with a history of trauma and individuals in economically-disadvantaged populations. Zion offers several levels of care depending on individual need. The adult male 15-bed residential facility is located in Clarinda and offers a safe and therapeutic living environment while individuals learn to develop coping strategies to help them live a life in recovery. Crossroads is more of a general counseling service, offering support, therapy and counseling to those of all ages. Even the National Alliance of Mental Health leads a Recovery Support Group in Iowa. On the first and third Thursdays at 2 p.m. and the second and fourth Thursdays at 6 p.m., the group is at the United Church of Christ in Atlantic. On the first and third Mondays at 11 a.m., the group meets at Waubonsie Mental Health Center in Clarinda. For those not wishing to travel, there is a virtual group every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. For more information, visit or call (712) 542-7904.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Corry family recalls deadly 1985 tornado 40 years later
Thursday night, we continued with our series of stories looking back at the devastating tornadoes that swept through our area 40 years ago. Back in May of 1985. Many remember the death and catastrophic destruction that impacted the town of Albion. But there were other communities that felt the deadly storm's impact as well. And now we move to eastern Erie County for the other EF-4 tornado that hit Erie County. I call it a tornado. It was more rural. It came across that field. And you can see over here just the reminiscence of the foundation of the house that it took away. The house was rebuilt fairly quickly. It's a little farther back from the road. It's now the home of Ember Thomas, who was eight years old when the tornado hit. Thomas also has vivid memories of that day. 'I remember the TV show we were watching, Wheel of Fortune. It came across the bottom of the screen and it said the tornado touched down in Albion. And we're like, oh, that's a long ways from here,' Thomas recalled. 'You know, that's not going to affect us at all. And then all of a sudden our power cut out. And so we all got up and we went to the windows and when we looked through them, it was this big like rolling. All I can think of is it was rolling black cloud across the road in those woods over there,' she continued. 'So my grandmother, when she got up and she seen it, she said, 'That's a tornado.' And she's like, 'we got to go to the basement.' We all, like, formed a pile, like a football pile, I was underneath. Then we heard the noise and it was like you could hear the nails kind of ripping. Glass was shattering. The loud train, that train sound,' she continued. 'And when it went over. All of a sudden, we had all daylight. Everything was gone. The whole house. It ripped it right off the foundation. There was nothing. Nothing left.' On route 89, north of Corry, by the cemetery where the tornado passed eastward on its track to New York State. The funnel was over four football fields wide. It stayed on the ground for approximately 30 miles. It lasted for 30 minutes. 'When we came back home the next day or the day after, we went over east of 426, on some of the back roads over there that got hit in that area. And there were people standing alongside the roads trying to get money. They had tin cans in their hands because their houses have been blown away. Wow. I felt bad for them,' Becky Linton, of French Creek, went on to say. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Storm chaser shares memories of 2019 Linwood tornado
LINWOOD, Kan. – On May 28, 2019 a mile wide EF-4 tornado in Douglas and Leavenworth County, Kansas injured 18 people and the super cell produced another tornado causing damage all the way in Kearney Missouri. Communities had to rebuild, but luckily no lives were lost. The storm turned out to be one of the most significant in history for the scientific community. FOX4 Newsletters: Sign up for daily forecasts and Joe's Weather Blog in your inbox In the six years since the devastating Linwood tornado we've heard from the survivors, who rode out the EF-4 in their homes. 'Had Jesus on my side, I lived through it,' Linwood resident Dennie Roberts, whose wife was killed in Kansas City's 2003 tornado, said. FOX4 also spoke with thrill seekers who were sent flying in storm chasing tour vans. 'Immediately it just flipped us and we just bounced and rolled and banged like metal for what seemed like forever,' Jeff Lieberman said on the tornado's first anniversary. That day as FOX4 meteorologists were watching the radar and FOX4 crews were first on the scene to the damage alerting first responders to the immediate need extreme meteorologist and storm chaser Reed Timmer and his team were also watching the super cell as it formed south of Lawrence, Kansas. Timmer shared memories this week on .' Joe's Blog: So, why has it been so gray lately (WED-5/28) 'It was wrapped in rain and we chased the storm for a little while it produced a brief tornado in the rain and we knew it was gearing up to produce a large one,' Timmer recalled. As the tornado formed Timmer was trying to pull off something he hadn't been able to do before on a storm of its magnitude. The problem was the tornado was rain wrapped. 'You almost have to get into the path of the tornado to be able to see it back in the inflow notch and that's a very dangerous place to be,' Timmer they were able to launch a sensor called 'Dorothy' into the mile-wide twister recording wind speeds of 190 miles per hour, and thermodynamics like pressure fall, temperature and relative humidity. But as the sensor and parachute climbed in the mesocyclone to heights of more than 27,000 feet there was just one problem after the tornado passed and clean up began, finding it. Thankfully, 'Dorothy' was located 30 miles away in Leavenworth, Kansas while pots from Free State growers were found 50 miles away in Smithville, Missouri. Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android With that single sensor recovered its the first time they were ever able to get data recovered at 10 times per second. Timmer says hopefully data collected will help go along way in better understanding tornadoes and maybe one day even preventing them. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
VFW offers aid and comfort in wake of Laurel County tornado
LONDON — In the aftermath of the devastating tornado that tore through London and Laurel County, local members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars have stepped in to provide support, resources, and relief to those impacted by the devastation. A member of the VFW from Corbin, Dustin Barnett, said that he didn't hesitate once the news of the devastation had struck. 'My wife woke me up, and I threw stuff into my vehicle and went straight to Sunshine Hills,' said Barnett. Sunshine Hills was one of the subdivisions directly in the storm's path, where numerous homes were leveled and several lives were tragically lost in its wake. Barnett has been on the ground since day one of the destruction, and has been one of the driving forces that has coordinated efforts to support the community of London and Laurel County in the wake of the EF-4 disaster. From organizing supply drives, clearing debris, and personally helping families in need — his work has not gone unnoticed. A member of the VFW from Grayson County said that the leveling and destruction was unlike anything he had seen before. 'I've been in combat zones that have been cleaner than this,' he described. The Grayson County VFW post has also been one of the many helpful volunteer efforts for the hard-hit areas. They have brought in side-by-sides, supplies, trucks, and many other tools to clear the debris. Barnett also spoke about the tremendous help from the home improvement retail chain Lowes, who has donated fence panels, multiple generators, sand tools, and gloves. Members from multiple VFW posts — including Laurel, Rockcastle, Pulaski, Lincoln, and Whitley counties — are also set up at the London-Corbin Airport to distribute essential supplies to community members. Volunteers set up under the tent have been handing out goods ranging from cleaning items, food, and personal care products — offering a small sense of comfort to those reeling from the destruction. 'It's beyond words to see the outpouring of donations and support that this area has received. We also had James Rundberg from the Department of Texas VFW on hand helping us. Thank you, to all the posts across the state and country that are helping right now with donations and time. It is well appreciated,' B.J. Thomason, State J.V. Commander detailed in a Department of KY VFW post on Facebook. The DAV of London (Disabled American Veterans) were also to be distributing emergency supplies Wednesday and Thursday, May 29) at 300 DAV Lane to provide financial assistance to veterans impacted by the storms. The event is open to all veterans in the community, regardless of DAV membership.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
VFW offers aid and comfort in wake of Laurel County tornado
LONDON — In the aftermath of the devastating tornado that tore through London and Laurel County, local members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars have stepped in to provide support, resources, and relief to those impacted by the devastation. A member of the VFW from Corbin, Dustin Barnett, said that he didn't hesitate once the news of the devastation had struck. 'My wife woke me up, and I threw stuff into my vehicle and went straight to Sunshine Hills,' said Barnett. Sunshine Hills was one of the subdivisions directly in the storm's path, where numerous homes were leveled and several lives were tragically lost in its wake. Barnett has been on the ground since day one of the destruction, and has been one of the driving forces that has coordinated efforts to support the community of London and Laurel County in the wake of the EF-4 disaster. From organizing supply drives, clearing debris, and personally helping families in need — his work has not gone unnoticed. A member of the VFW from Grayson County said that the leveling and destruction was unlike anything he had seen before. 'I've been in combat zones that have been cleaner than this,' he described. The Grayson County VFW post has also been one of the many helpful volunteer efforts for the hard-hit areas. They have brought in side-by-sides, supplies, trucks, and many other tools to clear the debris. Barnett also spoke about the tremendous help from the home improvement retail chain Lowes, who has donated fence panels, multiple generators, sand tools, and gloves. Members from multiple VFW posts — including Laurel, Rockcastle, Pulaski, Lincoln, and Whitley counties — are also set up at the London-Corbin Airport to distribute essential supplies to community members. Volunteers set up under the tent have been handing out goods ranging from cleaning items, food, and personal care products — offering a small sense of comfort to those reeling from the destruction. 'It's beyond words to see the outpouring of donations and support that this area has received. We also had James Rundberg from the Department of Texas VFW on hand helping us. Thank you, to all the posts across the state and country that are helping right now with donations and time. It is well appreciated,' B.J. Thomason, State J.V. Commander detailed in a Department of KY VFW post on Facebook. The DAV of London (Disabled American Veterans) were also to be distributing emergency supplies Wednesday and Thursday, May 29) at 300 DAV Lane to provide financial assistance to veterans impacted by the storms. The event is open to all veterans in the community, regardless of DAV membership.
