Response to Tornado Outbreak in Brookport, Illinois

Situated close to the Ohio River with an ever-present potential of flooding, Brookport, Illinois and the neighboring town of Unionville understand the threat of flood-related disasters. However, tornados proved to be a different story.  As the town had never suffered the devastation of a tornado, residents thought the river would continue to protect them, causing the twisters to dissipate.  When a dangerous line of fast-moving storms in the Midwest spawned at least 80 tornados on November 17th, one of which deeply impacted the small town of Brookport, disbelief compounded the stress and grief.

Hope Force Disaster Services Manager, Joey Stoltzfus, arrived soon after the tornado hit to assess damage and determine how Hope Force could help. The path of the tornado was marked clearly by insulation, metal roofing and downed trees. The team of Hope Force Reservists quickly began work, nailing protective blue tarps on damaged roofs and providing emotional and spiritual care to storm survivors.

The Hope Force team spent eight days on the ground, helping 20 homeowners. While team members hammered tarps on roofs and sifted through the debris, Hope Force Chaplains listened to homeowners' stories, encouraged them in their journey and helped to normalize their situations.

Joey met ?Jim? while canvassing a neighborhood in Brookport. He found Jim going through debris in the remnants of a friend?s garage, destroyed by the tornado. Post-disaster scenes like this all come with a unique story. Jim?s friend, ?Scott? is a quadriplegic, and in the aftermath of the tornado, a thief came into Scott?s house and stole his wallet.

As Joey listened, Jim began to unload feelings of hurt, anger and disbelief, wondering how anyone could be so cruel as to hurt his disabled friend. As Joey sat quietly listening, tears rolled down Jim?s face. Healing often begins by just telling the story, having someone listen and acknowledge the pain and receiving a few words of encouragement.  Joey finished their time together by offering help from the team? and then joined Jim in a simple prayer of hope.

Before Joey departed Brookport, his family joined him. All five children were eager to see ?Daddy?s work? and experience a disaster scene first hand. As Joey drove them through one devastated area, seven-year old Andrew broke the silence. ?I feel like my heart has a crack in it.? When his mother asked him for clarity, Andrew replied, ?My heart hurts for all the people with the wrecked homes.? 

This moment will be a mile-marker in young Andrew?s life. As a Hope Force team, our ?hearts are cracked? for those affected by crisis and disaster. We are grateful for the privilege entrusted to us to help those in need, no matter what age or situation.

This bathtub saved homeowner Jay's wife from the tornado destruction. Jay is on the left; HFI Reservist Mary Minton on the right.