Silver City tornado victim: 'In about a minute, everything changed'

Lici Beveridge, Mississippi Clarion Ledger
·3 min read

Hal Bridges and his sister Hallie Gail Crook were sitting on the front porch of Bridges' home in Silver City Tuesday morning.

The pair were taking a breather in the midst of cleaning up after an EF-4 tornado that struck the area Friday caused damage to their homes. Crook and her husband live next door.

"We were watching it on the radar," Bridges said. "In about a minute, everything changed."

"We all felt the house shake," Crook said.

Bridges' home sustained damage to the roof and chimney. A tree crushed his shed, but his pickup truck survived.

"As opposed to my husband's," Crook said.

Silver City, Rolling Fork deceased IDd:Obituaries released for 5 tornado victims in Rolling Fork, Silver City

Preacher hit by tornado twice?What are the odds? Pastor lost two homes to tornadoes in three months, starts over again

Hallie Gail Crook looks at the piles of debris on the road next to her and her brother’s home in Silver City on Tuesday. An EF-4 tornado damaged parts of Silver City and killed at least two residents on Friday night.
Hallie Gail Crook looks at the piles of debris on the road next to her and her brother’s home in Silver City on Tuesday. An EF-4 tornado damaged parts of Silver City and killed at least two residents on Friday night.

At least two people in Silver City were killed, including Rob Lee, a well-known instructor with Humphreys County School District. Local resident Freddie Murphy Deere also perished.

In the days following the storm, Crook and Bridges have welcomed the noise of chainsaws, backhoes and utility trucks sent in to clear debris and restore power to the hard-hit area.

Volunteers are driving through the neighborhoods of Silver City, looking for people to help.

"The normal music for the day," Bridges said.

"They're remarkable people," Crook said. "I swear, I've never seen anything like it. They bring you things. They just walk up and help."

Nancy Carithers walks out of her home in Silver City on Tuesday. An EF-4 tornado damaged parts of Silver City and killed at least two residents on Friday night. Carithers sheltered in the hallway of her home during the storm and watched as the roof was torn off. “I’ve got a new respect for tornadoes,” Carithers said. “When I build my new house, it’s going to have a storm shelter in the closet.”

The front of the Crooks' home sustained major damage. The storm sucked in the windows at one end, and blew them out at the other.

"I'm not sure they can fix my house, but at least I've got something to go with," Crook said.

Across the street, Christin George was helping close family friend Nancy Carithers clean up around the house.

Winona waits for power:Winona struggles without electricity, water after deadly tornado strikes Mississippi town

Power slowly coming to Rolling Fork:Power restored to parts of north Rolling Fork as crews work feverishly

George was on the phone with Carithers Friday night as the storm rolled in. George urged Carithers to leave, but she couldn't. Carithers and her husband, Buster Carithers along with Nancy's 91-year-old mother, who lived down the road, hunkered down while the tornado rumbled through, "busting out the windows."

Nancy Carithers' mother's mobile home moved about 5 feet and snapped in half during the tornado, George said.

Demetrius Powell said his wife was at their home in Silver City when the tornado hit.

A damaged sign for Little Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church with the words “we have come this far by faith” can be seen as recovery efforts continue behind it in Silver City on Tuesday. An EF-4 tornado damaged parts of Silver City and killed at least two residents on Friday night. The church is being used as overflow storage for clothes and other supplies collected by the community that residents may need.

"She came out without a scratch," Powell said.

The home is unlivable, but the Powells were able to salvage their clothing and other personal effects. Powell said the couple is "dealing with the insurance right now" and staying with his mother until they can find housing of their own.

Volunteers, first responders making a difference in Silver City

George said the outpouring of support has been amazing.

Employees of John Deere came out with equipment to clear away debris. State Farm insurance workers combed the neighborhood walking to their customers' homes to help with food, housing and other immediate needs before assessing the homes for damage and repairs.

Linemen with Irby Electric rolled through in waves, first clearing fallen powerlines then putting up new ones. It is unclear when power will be restored, but work is being done as quickly as possible, George said.

Felicia Tripp, senior disaster program manager with American Red Cross, walks into Little Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church with Lewis Lampkin, a member of the church, in Silver City on Tuesday. The church is being used as overflow storage for clothes and other supplies collected by the community that residents may need.
Felicia Tripp, senior disaster program manager with American Red Cross, walks into Little Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church with Lewis Lampkin, a member of the church, in Silver City on Tuesday. The church is being used as overflow storage for clothes and other supplies collected by the community that residents may need.

Along Mississippi 3, relief workers and first responders helped distribute food, water and other supplies to those in need. The Salvation Army, along with other mobile units, carried hot meals to people who could not get out of their homes to pick them up.

Volunteers with Silver City Baptist Church are working in one of the hardest-hit areas to distribute much-needed supplies. The church is nestled about a block off the highway and closer to where the tornado victims live, George said.

Got news? Contact Lici Beveridge at lbeveridge@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @licibev or Facebook at facebook.com/licibeveridge.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Sliver City MS residents talk about tornado, recovery