Lizella, GA
For those that don't know, there is a little town near Macon, GA called Lizella. My sister and her husband live with their two children and two dogs. My parents also moved there last year with their two cats. Sunday morning, Mandy and I were up somewhat early and watching our local news. There was a lot of coverage of storms that had gone through the Atlanta metro area and one small mention that some had gone through Bibb county (home of Lizella) as well. Mandy looks at me and says maybe you should call your mom. Since it was about 7:30 I said I'd wait until 8:00 to call to let her sleep in a little on Mother's Day.
8:05:
Me: "Happy Mother's Day!"
Mom: "You haven't watched the news have you?"
Me: "It mentioned some storms in Bibb, y'all ok?"
Mom: "A tornado went right past our house."
Ok. #1 Hello woman! Call your children and tell us! #2 If you wanted all three of us home for Mother's Day, just ask. No need to conjure up an F2 or F3.
So Mandy and I load Sprout up into the truck with a packed cooler and an overnight bag just in case and head out. When we get down to the exit off of I-475 we start to see some downed trees. Ok not too bad. We then go to turn down our normal road. Nope...blocked off with flashing light. OK...new plan...how about the road Dad showed us last time? Wow. We made it through, but it should have been closed, and was later that day. I have seen pictures before of the aftermath of hurricanes and tornadoes and have even seen some of the areas first hand a few weeks or months after the event, but never this fresh.
The road we went down was called Pineworth. From Thomaston to Columbus, it was only one lane wide and that lane went across the road, through someone's front yard, along the shoulder, and over and under downed powerlines. When we got to Columbus, there were parts of it that were only one lane. Huge branches hanging over the road held on by an inch or less of wood or on a powerline that looked like it would snap any minute.
The neighborhood where my family lives was in better shape. Mom and Dad only had trees in their yard..inches from the house and cars. My sis and her hubby lost their fence and luckily someone caught the dogs for them. Somehow their boat and jetskis were fine and not moved at all. Same with Dad's boat at the marina although one of the main restaurants on the lake was heavily damaged.
I can only say that I am extremely grateful that my family was spared and that they did not have a significant amount of damage. This was an experience that helped open our eyes to the possibilities of loss of both life and property and helped both of us realize what we have and want to preserve. My heart goes out to those who have long roads ahead of them. I hope they have a great deal of support and love to help them through.