Ringgold, GA

[Jennifer Palmer]

I apologize if this isn't in the proper place.. Please feel free to move it to the right thread. It isn't really about a chase, although it is about 4/27/11. I just couldn't figure out where to put this.

My hometown... where I grew up... where I currently live is Ringgold, GA.

I have loved weather my entire life, and started chasing about 2 years ago. Never in my life did I ever think my own home town will be obliterated by a tornado.

We were spared from damage here, but about 2 miles from home the damage path starts.

My brother's home was damaged, but as I found out yesterday, not as bad as we originally thought. If you saw where TWC was standing at the decimated gas station on Thursday morning, that was directly behind where my brother lives. Growing up here, I'm seeing places I've spent many nights that do not exist anymore. Ringgold High School and Middle School are badly destroyed. Chow Time, a local diner, had been a fixture in Ringgold for many many years... it's gone. Not to mention, lives that were lost, including an entire family. The photos I have seen from the Cherokee Valley Road area are down right scary.

I know many of you live in the Plains or have been long time chasers, and have experienced devastation like this. I, personally, have not. In fact, you can probably find me somewhere on this forum talking about severe weather breaking up before it gets to us.

I will never say that again.

I know you guys are keeping us and Alabama and EVERYONE affected by these storms in your thoughts and prayers. I just wanted to give my account on what happened here.

Aerial Footage of the Damage in Ringgold:

http://www.wrcbtv.com/global/video/flash/popupplayer.asp?vt1=v&clipFormat=flv&clipId1=5797415&at1=News+-+Breaking+News&h1=RAW%3A+Aerials+from+Ringgold%2C+GA&flvUri&partnerclipid&rnd=65227794

 

[Wes Carter]

These monsters are indiscriminate and can break a lot of hearts in one fell swoop. Considering the magnitude of what hit Ringgold, I'm just glad it didn't kill more people than it did. And I'm glad that you and yours are safe. Those who lost loved ones or have injured loved ones are in everyones' thoughts and prayers.

 

[Ken Jasionowski]

Incredible footage..I actually stayed at the Motel 6 in Ringgold back in October driving back from my mom's house in Sarasota..Did that get hit too?

 

[Jennifer Palmer]

Ken..

I think it was the Super 8 that is basically gone. All the hotels off that exit sustained quite a bit of damaged from what I understand. I went to my brother's home yesterday, and they aren't letting "regular people" down to where the really bad damage is. I did, however, see the gas station. One wall is standing.. The shelves are there, but nothing is on them. It's so strange to see. The Food Lion parking lot has many cars in it that look just terrible.

 

[Andy Jackson]

Bad news. I'm glad I didn't hear of you losing anyone close to you. Let us know if there is anything that your people need. I have relatives in the N. GA area and the last time I was out there 98 I saw a small sample of the destructive power of tornadoes in that area.

 

[Jennifer Palmer]

No.. Thank God we were spared from loss of life of anyone in my family.

 

[Dave Gallaher]

I don't think previous exposure to devastation prepares us for encountering it again, and particularly when it has a direct effect on our personal history and geography. It's good that you wrote about it here, Jennifer. One thing about the continued digging and sorting is that some unexpected survivals can occur, which restores a bit of hope.

 

[Jennifer Palmer]

There many miracles here as well! And it is getting better here every day. It is really amazing to see how a community comes together after tragedy.

 

[Lanny Dean]

Jennifer,

As you may already know via Jeff and Hidei, we have friends that live in Ringgold....they were actually tour guests that we took last year and I believe you know them, Chuck and Sue Gass and their two boys.
As dear friends of ours, I was keeping an eye on radar for the area and chatting with Chuck via Facebook when I noticed the notch on the cell really "pull" open. Not long after the t warning was issued I ran the path track and it put it directly towards or very close to being right on top of Ringgold. I treid making contact with Chuck Knowing that Chuck and his family were in possible in danger but did not get a response. I then finally just sent him a message on FB telling him to call me now! Roughly 5 min. or so passed with no response so I called him and he finally answered.....I told him he had roughly 3-5 min. to get to shelter...it was crazy. The link to the video that Chuck shot while he was still on the phone with me of the tornado is below:
http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/dpp/new...do-tears-through-ringgold-georgia-20110429-es

As you probably already know my business partner, Jeff Smith is also the founder of Mission Of Compassion and will be headed to Ringgold on Friday. He along with others incuding Chuck and Sue Gass and some of us here at ECT will be helping by bringing supplies, water, gloves, trash bags and the like to your area. There will also be a candlelight vigil and chruch services held at Chuck and Sue's home on Sunday morning.
If you are interested please feel free to contact Jeff directly at 918-808-4683.

I would also like to personally and very openly thank Mr. Reed Timmer for his donation to Mission Of Compassion...I will probably start another thread about this though.

Jennifer, I am so very sorry for the loss of life and property in your area but I am glad that you are okay and that people are truly helping people during this most difficult time. I currently plan on going with Jeff and company but am not sure if I will be able to right now as we have an on going tour. If you are able to attend please try to catch up with us...would love to chat with you.

 

[Jennifer Palmer]

Lanny,

I have never been more disappointed that I am going on vacation in my life!

I wish that I was going to be there on Saturday, but I will be flying on a plane at that time! I cannot even begin to tell you how thankful I am that you guys are coming out! I have spread the word in every way I can, and Jeff and Chuck both have my number. If there is anything at all I can do, please let me know! I will make sure as many people as I know are going to be there!!!

The community will be back! We are great people!

Again, Lanny and Jeff... Thank you SO much for what you are doing for us in Ringgold!

 

[Melissa Jablonski]

I'm glad you are okay. I know you really can't say the right things at this time. I went through something similar during the April 11, 1965 Palm Sunday outbreak. I was 9.