U.S. Congressman Mike Rogers took a helicopter and ground tour of the areas devastated by a tornado that ripped through portions of Calhoun County on Thursday.
As many as eight tornadoes may have hit Alabama Thursday, as the result of what is being called a “super cell”; that, according to the National Weather Service.
Calhoun County Coroner Pat Brown said four adults were killed in Ohatchee, three of them belonging to one family; while a female was killed in the Wellington area. On Friday those victims were identified as – Joe Wayne Harris, age 74; James William Geno, 72’; Ebonique Harris, 28; Emily Myra Wilborn, 72; and Barbara Harris, age 69. Those storms cut through Ohatchee and left a trail of destruction in the area of Ragan Chapel Road, destroying a church off of Alabama Highway 77, toppling both trees and power poles along the way.
At a press conference Thursday Calhoun County Sheriff Matthew Wade said that the path of the storm extended from River Road in Ohatchee through Wellington to Kimberly Road in Piedmont.
Rogers visited the Ohatchee Senior Center where a large number of volunteers are working to collect donations for those whose home were damaged or destroyed. The Congressman also made a stop in the Ragan Chapel area.
As of 4:00 Monday, the Calhoun County donations drop-off center is no longer receiving donations due to sufficient supply of needed items for the community. There are still other opportunities to help: volunteer through the volunteer reception center and donate to trusted organizations’ tornado relief funds.
To volunteer: Oak Bowery Baptist Church 3300 AL 144, Ohatchee, AL 8 AM to 4 PM until further notice.
For local immediate and long term recovery assistance: www.uweca.org/tornadorelief For local long term recovery assistance: www.yourcommunityfirst.org For impacted residents of Calhoun County, please go to Ohatchee Senior Center or First Baptist Church of Williams to pick up needed items from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
You can also fill out a form for assistance/debris removal at www.calhounema.org/help or call (256) 435-0540 to talk to a case manager on ways they can be assisted.
