The sunny side of the tornado...more info

NAFA Rescues Animals from

Marmaduke Storm Zone

APRIL 5, 2006 - Posted at 12:27

p.m. CST



MARMADUKE, AR - Ten

volunteers with Jonesboro-based

Northeast Arkansans For Animals

(NAFA) spent most of the day in

storm-ravaged Marmaduke

yesterday, to help search for and

rescue animals who were lost or

left homeless following Sunday's

tornado in the Greene County

community.

The volunteers took vacation days

or personal days from their jobs in

order to do so. More than a dozen

animals were rescued and

reunited with their owners. Other

pets that were rescued are now in

the care of NAFA until their owners

can relocate to new homes.

NAFA took more than 1,000

pounds of pet food, along with dog

houses, bottled water and other

pet supplies for tornado victims.

Saturday, NAFA will conduct an

Animal Relief Drive for

Marmaduke from 1 to 4 p.m. at

the Petco store in Jonesboro.

NAFA hopes to collect pet food,

cat litter, litter boxes, blankets, dog

houses, carriers or crates,

leashes and collars, and pet toys.

Monetary donations will also be

accepted to help with vet and

medical expenses for rescued

animals.

All donated materials will be

delivered to Marmaduke on

Sunday morning.

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Good Neighbors Give Tornado

Displaced Family Home

April 5, 2006 – Posted at 6:52 p.m.

CST

GREENWAY, AR -- It's

unfortunate that it takes the worst

of times to bring out the best of

people, but that's often the case.

After tragedies like Sunday's

tornadoes, good neighbors can be

found helping those in need.

The Priest family has lived at 505

N. 3rd Street in Marmaduke for

the last 35 years. Now, after the

damage caused by Sunday's

storms, they face the challenge of

rebuilding their lives, one step at a

time.

“It's really tiresome you know,

we’re just give out. But you can't

quit, you just have to go on,” said

tornado survivor Donald Priest.

It was the home in which they

raised their children and now it's

nothing more than a memory. But

Donald and Alla Jean Priest are

working on creating a new life, in a

new home. One that has been

donated to them.

“I was shocked!” said survivor Alla

Jean Priest, “I couldn't believe that

anybody would do that. And we've

never even been down this road.”

“If I was in that situation I would be

hoping somebody would help me.

Luckily, I had a house available

and was glad to be able to do it,”

said Neil Morgan.

Morgan and his family lived at the

rural Greenway home for 18 years

before they moved last fall. The

house sat vacant until he and his

cousin Mike Morgan decided to

make the priest family neighbors.

“Neil said we could stay here for

as long as we wanted...and you

can't beat that!” smiled Alla Jean

Priest.

“I think we gained a good neighbor.

They are right here with us now

and we've got a good neighbor and

we got a good neighbor here now,”

said Mike Morgan.

And understandably, it's hard to

express so much gratitude.

“I will always be grateful for what

Neil and Mike have done for us. I

told him that I would make him a

big coconut cake...and he loves

that!” laughed Alla Jean Priest.

As the Priest family moves

forward with the next chapter of

their lives, they say it wouldn't be

possible without the help and

support of their good neighbors

.......................................................
Volunteers Working To Make A

Difference in Marmaduke
......................................
House Approves Disaster Grants

for Region 8 Storm Victims

APRIL 5, 2006 - Posted at 11:35

a.m. CST



LITTLE ROCK, AR - The House

quickly approved a number of

items today, including aid for

victim's of Sunday's tornadoes.

The House approved $6 million in

additional funding for disaster

grants to help northeast Arkansas

tornado victims. The vote was

98-to-0.


April 5, 2006 – Posted at 6:39 p.m.

CST

MARMADUKE, AR -- Total

devastation...after losing

everything on Sunday many

Marmaduke residents are

deciding where to start their

post-tornado lives. As they begin

to put their lives back together,

many residents need help with

even their basic needs like food

and water...that's when volunteers

become crucial.

No food, no water, no home, no

problem. That has been the motto

for the volunteers who have come

to aid the people in Marmaduke

who have nothing.

“With God's help we made it, and

we were all lucky,” said resident

Narine Ransom, “All the Red

Cross workers have been helping

us so much and we appreciate the

help.”

Since Sunday's tornado,

organizations like the American

Red Cross, the Salvation Army

and the Southern Baptist

Convention Disaster Relief Team

have mobilized to help those like

Ransom who have lost everything.

“We bring in volunteers from the

region. From Texas, New Mexico,

Oklahoma, Arkansas, and

Louisiana,” said American Red

Cross volunteer Deborah Weaver.

Volunteers from across the

country, taking time out of their

busy schedules to help people

they have never met.

“They are my neighbors just like

people next door to me,” said Red

Cross volunteer Jenaldie Bond.

“I was once in a situation where the

Red Cross helped me, so I wanted

to return the gift,” said Weaver.

Whether it is passing out food,

water, and supplies or just offering

a kind word of encouragement,

volunteers are making a difference

with the residents of Marmaduke.

“This is what life is about, just

helping people,” said Bond.

The Red Cross is passing out

roughly 4,000 meals a day and

that doesn't include snacks and

water. For the volunteers, who

don't get paid a dime, it’s just

another reason to help out.

“Their faces light up and a smile

comes to their face and that

makes me feel so good inside and

that's what it is all about,” said

Bond.

“It’s God's work, we just praise

God,” said Ransom, “They are out

here helping, not even getting paid

for it, just volunteers. You can't

find very many people out there

who will help someone they don't

even know.”

For residents who are rebuilding

their lives, just the site of a

volunteer has made a difference

for them.

“I just thank everyone for helping

us,” said Ransom.

The Red Cross says the biggest

need in Marmaduke is for financial

donations. Those donations can

be dropped off at the Jonesboro or

Blytheville chapters of the

American Red Cross.

!!!!!!!!!!!!About the tornado publishings!!!!!!!!!!

All the tornado publishings and tornado photos are copyrighted by
http://www.kait8.com
I am simply reposting them here.
Thank you

More pics!

Mduke update pics!

Mduke update!

April 4, 2006 -- Posted at 5:24 p.m. CST



JONESBORO, AR -- In our effort to help residents of Marmaduke who lost everything in Sunday night’s storms, the Triple FM radio group and KAIT have teamed up for “Operation: Mending Marmaduke”.



We set up in the parking lot of Indian Mall taking donations from “Good Neighbors” in Region 8.



“My heart just goes out to the people of Marmaduke. I just wanted to do anything I could to help them,” said Pam Kale.



“We asked the officials up in Marmaduke how we could help out and they said they need cleaning supplies, they need bottled water, and they need tarps really bad,” said Bill Pressly of the Triple FM radio group.



By noon Tuesday, Region 8 residents filled the empty pallets and the empty money jar.



“I just wanted to help. I just heard it and I couldn’t help wanting to come here,” said Janet Woodruff.



However, it wasn't just adults who responded to the need. Students at Annie Camp Junior High School donated a total of over $270.



This all goes to show the type of response residents in Region 8 have for their “Good Neighbors”.



“Whenever we have a crisis like this, everyone always comes through. You don’t ever have to ask more than once. They always come right to the rescue,” said Pressly.



“Everyone does their part. We have a great – I don’t live here, I live in Walnut Ridge, but I always see Jonesboro coming together to help people,” said Peggy Dame.



We delivered the truck full of supplies to Marmaduke on Tuesday afternoon for our “Good Neighbors” in need.



Collected items include: bottled water, cleaning supplies, paper towels, work gloves, tarps, and sheets of plastic.



In cash, Region 8 has donated $11,433.22.



The command center in Marmaduke is located at the high school. Families seeking assistance can go there for help.






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April 4, 2006 – Posted at 6:27 p.m. CST

CARUTHERSVILLE, MO -- Everything from mobile homes to century-old brick homes were destroyed in Caruthersville when an F3 tornado ripped through Southeast Missouri Sunday afternoon. National Guard soldiers are headed to the Bootheel for the recovery effort, but residents are working hard to pick up the pieces and hold themselves together as a community.

More than 60% of all the buildings in Caruthersville were damaged or destroyed, tearing apart this close-knit community of 6,700 people.

“It's just devastated...I was scared for them. I was just scared for the kids,” said survivor Pam Grubbs through tears.

Grubbs rode out the tornado in her sister-in-law's house...just across the street from her own. She and her husband Gary now have the only livable house on West 16th Street in Caruthersville. They both wear blue wristbands to show they are living in the devastated area. A mandatory curfew keeps them home after 8 p.m.

“I'm just glad that we are blessed and God was looking over us,” said Gary Grubbs. Caruthersville is now an eerily familiar place. Spray paint marks homes and signs warn potential looters.

“This looks just like what Katrina did and what Charlie did. There's just no difference, there is just as much devastation,” said Jean Hunt of the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Team.

Pam Grubbs works along side her friend Jean Hunt with the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Team...they travel across the country helping to clean up. Now they are the ones in need the help.

“That's the hardest part is waiting for the help...people are wondering, where's the help at? But the help is here. There's just so much devastation,” said Hunt.

And as the town begins again...residents are thankful it wasn't worse.

“Everything's ok. We will survive, we'll just pick up and start over,” said Grubbs. “God's grace was on this town, he spared their lives,” said Hunt.

Residents in Caruthersville are still without water, gas and electric, but the mail is still running, giving this town some sense of normalcy after this disaster.

The Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Team has a feeding unit set up in Hayti at the First Baptist Church. Also, the One Step Ministries is organizing a water drop for Caruthersville tornado victims. Burton 's Quick Shop on Highway 412 in Cardwell is serving as a drop-off point.

The Caruthersville School also took a beating in Sunday's storms. Damage to the high school and middle school has cancelled classes for the rest of the week.

Fortunately, students will be on spring break next week, giving officials more time to clean up and asses the damage. However, students were in the middle of taking their "MAP" tests.

Assistant Superintendent Sherry Copeland says they are working with the state to figure out what they are going to do next.

“We're looking at possibly doing a split schedule and bringing each of the middle school and high school in at one time and bringing in the elementary in at another time. Our elementary school sits across town and is just fine,” said Copeland.

The elementary holds 800 students and there are a little over 700 students between the middle and high school.




**************************************
APRIL 4, 2006 - Posted at 7:43 a.m. CST, updated at 11:22 a.m., updated at 1:04 p.m.



WYNNE, AR - Governor Huckabee says areas of northeast Arkansas hit hard by tornadoes should be eligibile for federal aid. Huckabee flew over a number of damaged areas before landing in Marmaduke today to get a first-hand look at the wreckage. State legislators are already working to pass an assistance package.

No one was killed in Arkansas, but the storm system claimed 27 lives, 23 of them in Tennessee.

About half of the buildings in Marmaduke were destroyed. An American Railcar Industries plant was damaged and the company shut down the facility. A number of rail cars in inventory were also damaged. The company says it is insured.

Huckabee did a helicopter fly-over of Marmaduke this morning before landing at approximately 10 a.m.

Huckabee has declared disaster areas in five Region 8 counties: Cross, Fulton, Greene, Randolph and White. Disaster areas have also been declared in Conway and Hot Spring counties. The governor also has released $200,000 from a disaster fund to help people with storm losses
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April 4th, 2006 -- Posted at 5:30 p.m. CST

Marmaduke, AR -- On a weekday morning in early April most schools are filled with bustling students making their way through the halls to their classrooms.

On Tuesday morning, Marmaduke's halls have no children.....their rooms are a disaster.

Teachers are not teaching.

Judy Bell teaches junior high at Marmaduke.

"Well we're just trying to get the elementary put in boxes, and get everything moved out so we can clean up, and we can start rebuilding and that's what you have to do," said Bell.

Quite simply, there's just no way to tell how long it will take to replace and rebuild what this tornado blew away in a matter of seconds.

Part of the roof is gone, brick walls are caving in, there are wires hanging from the ceiling, and debris is scattered everywhere.

Debbie Smith is Marmaduke's superintendent.

"We're going to evacuate the elementary building--that's the preschool through the sixth grade. That building will not be able to be used for the remainder of the school year. We will have to figure out what to do with those kids, and that's what we're doing now," said Smith.

Smith is hopeful the high school students will be able to return once their building has been thoroughly checked to make sure the structure is sound.

"We're anxious to get back. The teachers that were able to come in, came back this morning, and they are looking forward to having the students back.

Before these students come back, Smith says the top priority is ensuring a safe place to come back to.

As for these teachers, the task of cleaning up, and rebuilding is tremendous.

"We're just all pitching in to get that process going. I think we'll be back in school before long, and the little darlins' will be happy to be back....this is their home," said Bell.

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I hate this but 3rd time in 1month....

I aint happy ...Im feeling glad.. I got sunshine.. ina bag...Im useless..but not for long....
miss you guys.... the three musketters.... agra to you 3..

I VISITED THE SITE OF THE TORNADOS...

Today I visited Maraduke AR and the tornado took an awful toll on the homes and bussinesses there.. its horrible and brings tears to your eyes.
I took pictures.. I will post a few soon. The national gaurd is all over the place...tryn to help direct traffic and such.. A train car factory there hd takners all over the place.. and the mobile home sales there.. is gone!

!!UPATE ON TORNADOS!!

Dozens Reported Injured as Tornadoes and Hail Rake Region 8

APRIL 3, 2006 - Posted at 7:44 a.m. CST



MARMADUKE, AR - Authorities say at least a half-dozen tornadoes that touched down in northeast Arkansas left

behind trails of destroyed homes and businesses and injured dozens of people. No deaths have been reported,

however, as of early this morning.

Damage was widespread at Marmaduke in Greene County, about ten miles north of Paragould.

Acting fire commander Chris Franks said nearly every structure in Marmaduke was damaged, about half of the

buildings in the town of 1,100 people were destroyed.

A spokesman at the Arkansas Methodist Medical Center at Paragould reported that the hospital had treated 45 people

injured in the storms, most of them from Marmaduke. The spokesman said many of those injuries were minor.

The Arkansas Department of Emergency Management said two people were also injured in Cross County, where a

tornado was reported near Wynne.

Cross County emergency official Gerald Britton said early this morning that he knew of five injuries.

A Cross County sheriff's office dispatcher said heavy damage was inflicted on homes and businesses in an area about

five miles south of Wynne, where several large trees were also uprooted.

Damage was also reported to the west in the Ravenden and Imboden areas of Lawrence County, as well as parts of

Randolph County.

Huge hail, some as large as softballs, also fell in some places. Newton Skiles, a meteorologist with the National

Weather Service's office at North Little Rock, said that the extra-large hailstones fell mostly in rural areas, where there

were few homes or vehicles to be damaged. But Skiles said that in White County, four-inch hail penetrated a mobile

home's roof and ceiling in several places, slamming into the interior of the residence.

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Search & Rescue Efforts Underway in Marmaduke


April 3, 2006 – Posted at 5:39 p.m. CST

MARMADUKE, AR -- Major storms bringing major damage. That was the theme across much of Region 8 Sunday

night.

One of the hardest hit areas was the Greene County town of Marmaduke. As the sun rose Monday morning, residents

finally were able to see the full wrath of Mother Nature.

“Last night it brought tears to my eyes and today I am just in awe. It is unbelievable,” said a resident , “If it

was your family, how would you feel?”

At least 50 were injured and taken to local hospitals but luckily, no casualties have been reported. A surprising fact

considering the homes that were destroyed.

“We had about 200 destroyed and another 100-150 that the shingles blew off or other damage,” said Marmaduke

Police Chief Franks as he worked to clear the debris.

With the mass destruction and rapid evacuation came the question.....was anyone left behind?

“We don't have a clear picture of how many people are unaccounted for so we are going through it slowly just to be

safe,” said Piggott Assistant Fire Chief Minton.

Going into Monday afternoon, about five people were unaccounted for. During the time K8 News was on the scene,

another couple checked in, lowering the number of people unaccounted to three.

The search and rescue process wasn't just relegated to those unaccounted. Select residents had the opportunity to go

in, to search and possibly rescue those precious meaningful items.

“Just a couple pictures, sentimental stuff, nothing else really to salvage I don't think,” said Long, “I just thought I could

find a couple things like that.”

As Long rummaged through what was left of his house he came across items that he had never even seen before.

Items that probably held special meaning to someone.

“Other people’s things, I found someone's check, found pictures of someone’s kids that I am sure they will want.

Somehow under the things that were mine,” said Long.

After a night when many Marmaduke residents lost just about all their possessions, for Long a simple picture of a loved

one was all he wanted.

“I looked and looked and I don't think I am going to be able to find it,” said Long wearily.

Classes in the Marmaduke School District are canceled again Tuesday, however, any available school employees that

are able to assist in on-campus cleanup efforts are asked to report to the cafeteria at 8:00 a.m
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Residents Try to Move on After Storms
April 3, 2006 -- Posted at 6:15 p.m. CST
MARMADUKE, AR -- Many residents in Marmaduke have lost everything.



Monday, families who could get to their homes spent the day rummaging through what’s left of their belongings.



Wayne Newell and his entire family escaped Sunday's tornado unharmed, with little more than the clothes on their

backs.



Now they are just trying to pick up the pieces.



“I really don’t know… it’s such a mess. I don’t know where to start, but I’ll just do a little at a time,” said Newell.



The Newell home is unlivable after Sunday night’s storm. A large tree fell on the roof during the storm and caused the

structure to shift.



But like others in Marmaduke, Newell and his family are getting plenty of help.



“You know, a person doesn’t really understand how much a people care until something really bad happens,” said

Newell.



While working on what’s left of their home, they’ve had many good neighbors stop by wanting to help.



“Everybody stops and asks if we need anything. Like I said, most of the people, I don’t even know who they are,” said

Newell.



Newell doesn't know where he and his family will go from here. There isn't any part of their property that escaped the

storm.



While losing his home and everything he and his wife have worked for is devastating, knowing his family is safe is all

that really matters.



“My family comes first. A job is just a job. They're everywhere. But, you've got to have family,” said Newell.

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40 TONARDOS HIT CLOSE TO HOME...

HERE IN JONESBORO WE GOT GOLF BALL SIZE HAIL.. IT WAS PRETTY SCAREY BUT THE FACT THAT WE HAVE A STORM CELLER HELPED ALOT.... THE WIND WAS BAD.. SOUNDED LIKE A TRAIN.... WE ARE ALL FINE.. JUST HOPE ALL OUR FRIENDS ARE OK AS WELL.
THE POWER WAS OUT HERE FOR ABOUT 5 HRS. THE CELL PH0NE NETWORKS ARE SO BUSY THAT YOU CANT MAKE OR RECIEVE CALLS BUT ABOUT 45% OF THE TIME... AND HERES A FEW STORIES FROM MY NECK OF THE WOODS.............
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Tornado Rips Thru Marmaduke, Leaves Severe Damage in It's Wake

April 2, 2006 - Posted at 9:55 p.m. CST

Jonesboro, AR_Severe storms made their way thru Region 8 today, leaving tremedous damage in it's wake. The town that received that most damage would have to be the town of Marmaduke in Greene County. Powerlines, trees, and structural damage could be seen all over town. It was even reported that a woman was trapted inside of home due to the weather. Much of the town seems to be unliveable at this point. National Guard members have been called to the area to help with the disaster clean-up. A red cross shelter has been set up at the Paragould City Hall were emergency donations can be made. Stay tuned to K8 News and we'll keep you updated with the latest information from today's severe weather.
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NOTE FROM SALLY- A MAJOR CORPORATION WAS HIT HARD THERE AS WELL.. IN FACT 2...LEVELED. REAL BAD NATURAL GAS LEAK. PPL I WORK WITH ARE FIRST RESPONDERS THERE AT THE SCENCE... WE PRAY FOR ALL OF THEM.... HELICOPTORS HAVE BEEN AIR LIFTING PPL OUT ALL NITE... WE SEE THEM OVER JONESBORO AS WE SET ON THE PORCH...
NO PICTURES AT THIS TIME..GOD HELP THEM ALL!

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April 2, 2006 - Posted at 11:22 p.m. CST
Storms Damage Much Of Region 8

Jonesboro, AR_Strong storms rushed through the northern and southern parts of region eight bringing strong winds and even isolated tornados to the area Sunday afternoon. Two of the hardest hit areas include Marmaduke in Northern Greene County and Caruthersville in the Missouri Boothill.



The damage in Marmaduke is so bad the city has been blocked off to through traffic. Hwy 49 is a major roadway connecting Northeast Arkansas with areas in southern Missouri but travelers and drivers are finding new ways to get to their destinations tonight.



The Marmaduke storm was perhaps the strongest of the day. It not only devastated the small town North of Paragould it also did extensive damage in Neelyville, Caruthersville, Senath, and Ravenden Springs. Each of those towns is reporting heavy damage mostly due to large tornados.



The strong storms came as no surprise to local meteorologist. Responding to a cold front moving through the region, the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma issued a slight severe risk for the entire area and the Missouri Boothill was under a moderate risk.



Across the mid-south more than 40 tornados were reported on Sunday due to system moving across the United States.



At this time no deaths have been reported in Northeast Arkansas and Southern Missouri.

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April 2, 2006 -- 10:45 PM CST
Wild Winds Rip Through Region 8

RANDOLPH/GREENE COUNTIES -- The winter weather is gone, but severe weather passed through Region 8 Sunday evening.

Strong winds left a mark on several areas in Northeast Arkansas. It was a mad scene on Highway 67 in Shannon, about 3 miles south of Pocahontas, after insane winds ripped through the area.

Neighbors stood outside to evaluate the scene. Power lines were down, fields were flooded, trees were cracked down the middle and road signs were bent out of shape.

Traffic was not at its usual flow along the highway. A police officer stood in the middle of traffic to keep the cars moving.

The severity of the storm didn't discriminate. There was also damage in Delaplaine. Winds swept through a farm building there where a tractor was housed.

After the storm passed, winds began to calm and the sun came out. The storm is over, but neighborhoods are left with destruction and misery.


K8 News will have more on the severe weather throughout Region 8 on Monday, including hard hit areas in Ravenden Springs, Marmaduke, Dunklin County, and near Wynne in Cross County



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April 2, 2006 – Posted at 11:02 p.m. CST

NEELYVILLE, MO -- Storm damage also rolled through Southeast Missouri Sunday afternoon. Reports of damage have been coming in from Butler, Dunklin and Ripley counties.

The Neelyville Elementary school in western Butler County had its roof torn off during the severe weather Sunday afternoon. Crews were on the scene picking up the pieces.

“We've got most of the mess cleaned up, the water didn't get into the building, so we think its fine for kids,” said Superintendent Larry Graves.

Classes are in session for Monday.

“One end of the building was pulled off. Part of the roof was pulled lose we think. We'll have to have it checked out tomorrow and verify that. We think it's mostly still there,” said Graves.

A scary event...especially from a child's perspective.

“It was swirling, like hard wind and there was a tree over there that fell down, and there was another one,” said sixth grader Jess Leonard, “It's all kinds of damage and all I saw was just metal and trees falling down, I was frightened.”

“I was told we had sustained winds over 60 miles per hour and some people said they saw a funnel cloud come down over the elementary and pull the roof lose,” said Graves, “It could have been way worse...I guess we're fortunate that it wasn't any worse then it is.”
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YOU ARE IN OUR PRAYERS.... YOUR ARKANSAS FRIENDS.