Tornadoes tragic but bringing out best

They don't give names to tornadoes like they do tropical storms, but that doesn't mean we don't get to know them up close and personally.

A little over a week ago, residents of Marble Hill, Mo., and Dongola, Ill., came face to face with tornadoes that bullied through their towns, destroying homes, ravaging businesses, injuring dozens and -- in the case of 12-year-old Billy Hoover and 69-year-old Janie Chamness -- stealing lives.

The tornadoes could have been even more devastating than they were. They could have wiped out more than the homes. They could have uprooted more than the trees. They could have snuffed out more than the lives of those two people.

They could have crushed the townspeople's spirit. But they refused to let that happen. Instead of surrendering to the storms, the folks of Marble Hill and Dongola decided they wouldn't give up and let their rude visitor win.

The residents and droves of volunteers immediately rolled up their sleeves and went to work. Homeowners sifted through rubble. Friends helped clean up trash and debris. In Marble Hill, a group of men who came to be known as the chain-saw brigade spent days cutting up downed trees.

Volunteers came from across the country to help out. Townsfolk spent hours at a local church cooking food that had been provided by area businesses to feed the workers.

More help is on the way. The president is considering sending federal money to the area to help victims get back on their feet. In addition, a Heartland Cares Tornado relief effort was held last Friday, hosted by KFVS-12 and the Zimmer Radio Group. A fund has been set up.

Donations may be sent to: Heartland Cares Tornado Relief, c/o US Bank, P.O. Box 1030, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63702, or drop off donations of money, food or clothing to Point Pleasant Baptist Church in Marble Hill or the Southeast Missouri Red Cross and Westfield Shoppingtown in Cape Girardeau.

This certainly won't be the last time a tornado drops by unannounced. It seems like a good time to remind ourselves that a severe weather warning transmitter began broadcasting in Cape Girardeau in April. In order to pick up such broadcasts, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Transmitter radio is required. These radios can tune in to such radios and get broadcasting information from the Paducah, Ky., weather service forecast office.

While a good amount of work is left to be done, it was inspiring to see the two communities come together in the face of such destruction.