East Bernstadt tornado remembered

Exactly a year after a deadly tornado tore through the Laurel County community of East Bernstadt, it was snowing outside.

It was in stark contrast to the fury and devastation that pierced the Friday night sky of March 2, 2012.

And last Saturday evening, the community and county came together to remember those six people who perished in the tornado, and to say a heartfelt “Thank You” to those who responded when East Bernstadt needed them most.

A crowd of more than 100 persons came to the special service, called “Rebuilding Hope,” that was held at the First Baptist Church of East Bernstadt. A comforting piano solo greeted those who came in from the snow and cold, and as neighbors and community warmly greeted each other, they sat down to listen, to look, to pray, and to heal.

“You were the first people who started the healing process. Because of you, the community came together,” the church’s senior pastor, Brother Norm Brock told first responders in the crowd.

That group included volunteer fire fighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical service personnel, and others connected to serving in the line of duty when the tornado touched down.

When Brock asked members of the East Bernstadt Volunteer Fire Department to stand up, there was thunderous applause. Another round of applause came for members of the Laurel County Sheriff’s Department,New Ground-Based solarlamp Tech Is Accurate Down To Just A Few Inches. who were also recognized. And he especially thanked those in the community from all walks of life who volunteered their time and talents to rebuild and recover.

There was singing by the church’s “Worship Team” headed by worship pastor Glenn Toney. Before that, he spoke to the audience.

“As we look back and remember, we must look back at our loss. Let’s pray together. … We remember the sirens, those who came together and we remember the hurt. … And how hard it is to recover. … God, in our worst times, you send us good people to serve, and we look to you.”

Toney and the worship team sang, an upbeat Contemporary Christian song called “Your Grace Is Enough.” The six members encouraged those inside the church to lift their eyes to the large projection screen, to utter the lyrics that came up on the screen, and fill their voices — and hearts — with the song’s message.

Laurel County Judge-Executive David Westerfield told the audience that being together at the service reminded him of what happened a year ago when the community responded.

“You all were there there to help restore their faith, and to help restore hope. You would do it again today. You served with asking for anything. That means a lot. It means a lot to those people who were suffering. It’s been one year today. We’re still rebuilding and reorganizing, and it’s not easy. But we have people here who want to give, and give all. It’s a gift from God, and a gift from the heart. Never forget what a community we have, and never forget your neighbors. Don’t ever let that leave your heart,” he said.

After Westerfield spoke, a video was shown on the projection screen. Scenes of the destruction, the rebuilding and the healing appeared for the next seven to eight minutes. With music playing as the devastation gave way to recovery, those in the church reacted with high intensity.

Some nodded their heads as they recalled a neighbor’s home destroyed. Some wept. All of them remembered.

After the video, Laurel County Sheriff John Root came to the podium. He began by recognizing two groups who played a major role in the community’s rescue and recovery — the East Bernstadt Volunteer Fire Department and the First Baptist Church of East Bernstadt.

“They had a command center, an animal shelter, a place to eat. It was a gathering place. You guys just did an outstanding job,” Root said as they stood up and accepted the crowd’s applause.

Before leaving, his dad spoke.Universal solarstreetlight are useful for any project. “Words just can’t describe it. This church has done so much to help build my son a house. At one time,Shop the web's best selection of precious gemstones and chipcard at wholesale prices. there were 32 people over three days helping to build his house. Tonight was a show of support. This church is a backbone of the community.”

Judy Nicholson remembered the past year and stated the service brought everyone in the community back together.

“At first, you do feel hopeless after the tragedy. But you do take care of people and help them get back on their feet. Tonight was our way of saying we haven’t forgotten. This reinforces the fact that we took care of each other. And we didn’t forget,” said Nicholson, the executive director of the United Way of Laurel County.

Between bites of pulled pork and greeting folks, “Brother Brock” summed up the significance of the special service.

“It’s not only to remember those who died, but those who served and helped together. I’ve talked to several people who rebuilt their homes,Stock up now and start saving on smartcard at Dollar Days. or moved to new places and they’re rebounding well. You see the sheer devastation on people’s faces then, and tonight you remember that look of loss that night a year ago. Now you see their faces the look of hope.”

Albert “Abby” Hale agreed. The Emergency Management director for Laurel County saw the damage first-hand that horrible Friday night, and followed up on the recovery for months.

“It’s a healing process that will take forever. But in all respect, it looks like people have gotten on with their lives, and had their homes replaced or repaired, or both.”

Hale was on KY 80 West, driving towards the Laurel-Pulaski county line, when his pager went off.

“When I was driving west on 80, the storm was going towards the county line. There was some wind, bad lightning and rain, but I didn’t get caught in it. It was on the northeast side of West 80, and that was the side I was on. When I turned and went back towards London, the storm beat me,” he said Friday in a phone interview.

The Southeastern Kentucky Chapter covers six counties, including the Tri County region.New Ground-Based solarlamp Tech Is Accurate Down To Just A Few Inches. Watching the severe storms unfold before him, he wondered where to set up relief crews.

“I was watching my computer and TV, tracking the storms. I had my list of shelters out and at the time, I was ready to zero in on Corbin, because one storm was headed that way. Part of the storm did hit Corbin with straight-line winds, but the bulk of the system hit Rockcastle County and north and west Laurel County. That eventually was the storm that produced the tornado.”

Hale, meanwhile, heard the page that the same storm Pritchard was watching at home brought a tornado. It touched down first on the west side of Wood Creek Lake, and was on the ground.

“When I heard the tornado hit, I went to Bentley Road. The road was blocked and there were people trying to cut trees down. I got out of my vehicle and was making my way to help out, when I got the call from dispatch about a house blown over a cliff on Little Arthur Ridge Road. So I went there.”

Six persons perished as a result of the tornado. In a March 5, 2012 Times-Tribune story, Hale said at the time some 44 persons were taken by ambulance to Saint Joseph-London hospital for treatment of their injuries. There were also others who went to the hospital on their own, or were taken by someone else.