EYAA 2008 Basketball League Play Resumes

I have seen them on television, I've heard of their devastation, today I witnessed first hand the realness and severity of a tornado. At approximately 3:15 PM, Friday, May 2nd, 2008, I was at the Gymnasium restocking the concession stand with a few other EYAA volunteers, when I noticed a police squad car with its emergency lights on in warning mode. I begin to expedite the group’s effort to finish the restock. Upon finishing we locked down the gymnasium and begin to head to our vehicles for departure. The group was caring on a conversation about Saturday's schedule games and activities when I notice the formation of a funnel in the southwest skies of the city, I petition the group to hurry to their vehicle and make haste to their destination. As I was leaving I notice in the rear view the touchdown and debris of a massive tornado hitting the midtown portion of Earle, Arkansas. I made haste towards highway 64, thinking that I could out run it if traffic was flowing and make it to the daycare in West Memphis before the weather took a turn for the worst in other areas of the county. After getting on Highway 64 I noticed the tornado traveling swiftly in a northeastern direction, I felt good about my timing at first, the tornado had to be traveling at least forty to sixty miles per hour, I look ahead on Highway 64 seeing cars turning around to head in the opposite direction of the fast approaching tornado. I would have been in safe distance of the violent tempest had not I approached a group of at least 5 travelers that had literally stopped their cars on Highway 64 blocking traffic to take pictures of this violent tempest, I was completely blown away by their stupidity because this tornado was headed directly in our direction propelling objects that could devastate and destroy, unbelievable "Pictures". I dodge them and possibly 3 potential head on collisions to break free and survive the devastation that fell upon one of the overzealous traveling photographers. I got to West Memphis, and got my daughter safely from the daycare and everything seemed to settle down. I later returned to Earle only to witnessed massive destruction and God was definitely in control because no one to my Knowledge was injured badly. I am grateful today and the EYAA program will resume once we recover and rebuild.

It's a real tragedy for anyone who was in it's path. I saw the videos and pics of Earle, my sympathies.

In Lepanto, a tornado touched down just behind our house and then travelled north east towards hwy 14. I was in LR and was totally helpless when my 13 year old son and 15 year old daughter called me and was so shaken that were in tears and I could barely understand a word until I heard "TORNADO is in our backyard!". Being in LR at the time when this happened was difficult.

Thankfully, it moved on and missed our community outside of Lepanto. My prayers go out to all that were impacted by the series of tornados and storms we have been enduring.