Preparing for Storm Damage in January
By: Josh Berry
Updated: January 28, 2013
Many Arkansans are all too familiar with destructive storms in the month of January.
With the possibility of more severe weather in the forecast, those who've lost so much in those storms are waiting and hoping the same doesn't happen again.
People are making sure they have weather radios, emergency first aid kits, plenty of food and a safe, sturdy place to go if things get crazy during potentially damaging storms Tuesday (1/29).
While we may not be in tornado season, January actually holds the Arkansas record for the most tornadoes in one day. One town and one pastor remembers that day all too well.
Every thirty years for nearly a century the First Baptist Church of Beebe has been destroyed, forcing them to pick back up and rebuild every time.
Pastor of the Church, Bob Hall said, "I'm hoping and praying that doesn't happen in 2029."
With severe weather however, expected soon over the steeple, Pastor Hall hopes it doesn't happen sooner. The conditions Monday feel eerily similar to a fateful day over a decade ago.
"It's a warm day [today]. It was a warm day 14 years and a week ago today," Pastor Hall said.
January 21, 1999: the day of the largest tornado outbreak in Arkansas history.
56 tornadoes including an F-3 that tore through Beebe destroyed the junior high school, homes and the First Baptist Church.
Pastor Hall remembers the clear day before leading up to the tornado.
"Less than two hours later the church and a third of the town was blown away."
It destroyed a piece of history still seen in the pictures on the wall.
"Second largest pin oak tree in the state of Arkansas."
They've since rebuilt after spending two years worshiping in any building in town that wasn't destroyed.
Now a singular part of the pulpit, made from that tree, remains as a reminder of that storm.
Pastor Hall went on to say it makes you think how easily a slight chance of severe weather could cause severe damage.
"It could happen today... hopefully not. Gotta be prepared."
The church will likely be empty if any thing happens tomorrow but the pastor did say they rely on their bathroom at home to keep them sheltered in.
With the possibility of more severe weather in the forecast, those who've lost so much in those storms are waiting and hoping the same doesn't happen again.
People are making sure they have weather radios, emergency first aid kits, plenty of food and a safe, sturdy place to go if things get crazy during potentially damaging storms Tuesday (1/29).
While we may not be in tornado season, January actually holds the Arkansas record for the most tornadoes in one day. One town and one pastor remembers that day all too well.
Every thirty years for nearly a century the First Baptist Church of Beebe has been destroyed, forcing them to pick back up and rebuild every time.
Pastor of the Church, Bob Hall said, "I'm hoping and praying that doesn't happen in 2029."
With severe weather however, expected soon over the steeple, Pastor Hall hopes it doesn't happen sooner. The conditions Monday feel eerily similar to a fateful day over a decade ago.
"It's a warm day [today]. It was a warm day 14 years and a week ago today," Pastor Hall said.
January 21, 1999: the day of the largest tornado outbreak in Arkansas history.
56 tornadoes including an F-3 that tore through Beebe destroyed the junior high school, homes and the First Baptist Church.
Pastor Hall remembers the clear day before leading up to the tornado.
"Less than two hours later the church and a third of the town was blown away."
It destroyed a piece of history still seen in the pictures on the wall.
"Second largest pin oak tree in the state of Arkansas."
They've since rebuilt after spending two years worshiping in any building in town that wasn't destroyed.
Now a singular part of the pulpit, made from that tree, remains as a reminder of that storm.
Pastor Hall went on to say it makes you think how easily a slight chance of severe weather could cause severe damage.
"It could happen today... hopefully not. Gotta be prepared."
The church will likely be empty if any thing happens tomorrow but the pastor did say they rely on their bathroom at home to keep them sheltered in.
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February 14, 2013 at 12:05 pm
