Tornadoes cause death, destruction across mid-South states

Published: 2008-02-07

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (CNS) -- Father Ernest Hardesty, pastor of Assumption Parish in Atkins, said he witnessed "three miles of destruction" from a twister that hit his community Feb. 5. "I've never seen anything like it," he said. A series of tornadoes brought death and destruction to several communities in the mid-South. As of midday Feb. 7, 56 people were confirmed dead as a result of the rare winter twisters. Arkansas and western and middle Tennessee bore the brunt of the Feb. 5 tornadoes, although funnel clouds also touched down in Mississippi, Alabama, Kentucky and Missouri. According to Greg Standish of Catholic Mutual Group, no parishes or schools in the Diocese of Little Rock reported tornado damage, but several buildings were damaged by high winds. Father Hardesty's church was about half a mile from the tornado and was not damaged. The parish hall was opened to anyone needing a place to sleep overnight. "It's pretty big destruction, considering it hit the rural part of the city," he told the Arkansas Catholic, Little Rock's diocesan newspaper. Four were confirmed dead in Atkins.

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