Hattiesburg community comes together after devastating tornado.
The Hattiesburg community is coming together after the tornado that devastated the Hattiesburg area on January 21, 2017.
In the aftermath of the tornado, members of the community are helping out anyway that they can.
Immediately after the storm, parishioners and volunteers at Holy Rosary Catholic Church are helping in the relief effort by packing lunches for those affected by the tornadoes. On top of that, parishioners also held a drive, collecting clothes, books, toys and any other items people may need. Volunteers from the University of Southern Mississippi's Catholic Student Association also assisted in passing out lunches in the community.
Volunteer Nikki Williams says, "“I think everybody just jump right in to action. I think that’s just how we are around here.”
Williams also says that the parishioners and volunteers will continue to help those who are in need.
In areas affected by the tornado, volunteers and home owners are going through the debris looking for possessions they can salvage.
Many volunteers are also helping in the clean up effort by clearing debris from homes and helping residents go through what remains of their homes.
Hattiesburg resident, Curtis Roberts, lost part of his home when the tornado hit. However, Roberts wasn't at home at the time because his niece warned him to stay somewhere else.
The next morning, Roberts' grandson picked him up and Roberts was able to see what was left of his home. When he got to his house, Roberts saw that the roof of his house was completely gone.
Another resident, Rodney Dozier Jr. and his mother, completely lost their house after a tree crashed into their home, leaving nothing but branches and pieces of what once was their home.
"I started crying, and I was glad that my mom wasn't in there," Dozier Jr. said.
Despite the destruction left behind, Dozier Jr. is looking more on the bright side, thinking the storm brought the community closer together.
Dozier Jr. stated, "I feel like it's good…it’s good that people are coming together, because like… before the storm a lot of people probably wouldn’t even come together or talk with each other. But since the storm, you’re seeing everybody in the neighborhood, they come together and talk with each other."
For more information on what you can do to help those in need after the tornado, The Hattiesburg American has a list of places that are helping in the relief effort.
