Wednesday 13 March 2019

Incredible drone footage shows a perfectly intact house surrounded by total devastation following the deadly Alabama tornadoes that killed 23 people

Incredible drone footage shows a perfectly intact house surrounded by complete devastation after it narrowly missed being leveled by the deadly tornadoes that killed 23 people when it ripped through Alabama and parts of Georgia more than a week ago.  
The video was captured by photographer Matt Gillespie as his drone flew over Ellersie, Georgia. 
Gillespie shared the video on Facebook with the caption that it's 'insane that this house is still standing and thank God these residents are ok!'
The home appeared to be in the direct pathway of the storm, but it miraculously suffered little damage. 
In the video, trees surrounding the two-story home are uprooted. The home did appear to have minor damage to the roof.
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This home miraculously survived being leveled by one of the deadly tornadoes that killed 23 people when it ripped through Alabama and parts of Georgia more than a week ago
This home miraculously survived being leveled by one of the deadly tornadoes that killed 23 people when it ripped through Alabama and parts of Georgia more than a week ago
The drone footage shows the perfectly intact house surrounded by complete devastation
The drone footage shows the perfectly intact house surrounded by complete devastation 
The video was captured by photographer Matt Gillespie as his drone flew over Ellersie, Georgia
The video was captured by photographer Matt Gillespie as his drone flew over Ellersie, Georgia
Gillespie shared the video on Facebook with the caption that it's 'insane that this house is still standing and thank God these residents are ok!'
Gillespie shared the video on Facebook with the caption that it's 'insane that this house is still standing and thank God these residents are ok!'
The home appeared to be in the direct pathway of the storm, but it some how suffered little damage
In the video, trees surrounding the two-story home are uprooted
 SLIDE ME 
The home appeared to be in the direct pathway of the storm, but it some how suffered little damage. In the video, trees surrounding the two-story home are uprooted
Meanwhile, other nearby homes appeared to have far more damage and a few were completely destroyed. 
Gillespie said he was at his parents' home when he captured the drone footage. 
'Prayers for everyone out there dealing with the damages and anyone who was hurt or worse. Parents house is fine except for all the downed trees, a missing chicken coupe, and debris. Lots of cleanup in store,' he wrote on Facebook.  
The tornadoes barreled through Alabama on Mach 3, killing 23 people, including 10 from the same family. 
Cousins Cordarrly Jones and Demetria Jones say they're still struggling to process the reality of the devastation, as they organize funerals for two of their grandparents, their uncle, and seven of their cousins.
The family's loss could be even greater as a number of relatives remain in the hospital with serious injuries.
'It really hasn't fully hit me yet. I'm still trying to process it,' Cordarrly, 29, said.
'Everybody in this area was just about related,' added Demetria, 28. 'It's devastating.'
Meanwhile, other nearby homes appeared to have far more damage and a few were completely destroyed
Meanwhile, other nearby homes appeared to have far more damage and a few were completely destroyed
Gillespie said he was at his parents' home when he captured the drone footage
Gillespie said he was at his parents' home when he captured the drone footage
A closer look at the home's roof shows that it suffered minor damage to the paneling
A closer look at the home's roof shows that it suffered minor damage to the paneling 
The tornado barreled through Alabama on Mach 3, killing 23 people, including 10 from the same family
The tornado barreled through Alabama on Mach 3, killing 23 people, including 10 from the same family
With winds reaching up to 170mph, the freak tornado became the deadliest in the US for six years
 With winds reaching up to 170mph, the freak tornado became the deadliest in the US for six years
A tornado warning gave local residents just 12 minutes to brace themselves before the racing winds began bulldozing mobile homes and reducing bricks and mortar to rubble
A tornado warning gave local residents just 12 minutes to brace themselves before the racing winds began bulldozing mobile homes and reducing bricks and mortar to rubble
With winds reaching up to 170mph, the freak tornado became the deadliest in the US for six years.
A tornado warning gave local residents just 12 minutes to brace themselves before the racing winds began bulldozing mobile homes and reducing bricks and mortar to rubble.
The cousins stood among the rubble of a row of dilapidated homes in Beauregard, Georgia, attempting to salvage some of their family member's possessions while simultaneously mourning their deaths.
Their grandparents, 89-year-old Jimmy Jones and 83-year-old Mary Louise Jones, were killed in their home on a two-lane road where most everyone shares family ties.
The couple's son Emmanuel Jones, a 53-year-old uncle to the cousins, is gone too. 
Also dead, they said, were seven cousins by both blood and marriage: Eric Jamal Stenson, 38; Florel Tate Stenson; 63; Henry Lewis Stenson; 65; James Henry Tate, 86; Tresia Robinson, 62; Raymond Robinson Jr., 63; and Maggie Delight Robinson, 57.
Footage shows destructive aftermath of deadly Alabama tornado
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Richard Tate (pictured) was at home with his wife when suddenly the structure crumbled around him
Richard Tate (pictured) was at home with his wife when suddenly the structure crumbled around him
The F4 twister blew Cindy Sanford's home completely off of its foundations. She managed to escape its midst with her grandson and took shelter in a nearby church
The F4 twister blew Cindy Sanford's home completely off of its foundations. She managed to escape its midst with her grandson and took shelter in a nearby church 
Other families returned to the site to salvage whatever is left of their belongings. Machinery and constructions workers have been called to the area to assist the likes of Kayla Causey (pictured)
Other families returned to the site to salvage whatever is left of their belongings. Machinery and constructions workers have been called to the area to assist the likes of Kayla Causey (pictured) 
Debris is scattered after the tornado blew a home off its foundation in Beauregard, Alabama
Debris is scattered after the tornado blew a home off its foundation in Beauregard, Alabama
The mammoth clean-up will likely take weeks to complete, with additional workers being drafted in to help
The mammoth clean-up will likely take weeks to complete, with additional workers being drafted in to help
Thirteen others have been confirmed dead. Among them include six-year-old Armando Hernandez and 10-year-old Taylor Thornton.
Armando Hernandez, known as AJ, became separated from his mother in Beauregard when the tornado struck and was later found dead.
His mother, Kayla Melton, had earlier appealed for information on his whereabouts on Facebook, writing: 'Please look for my baby he's 6 years old his name is Armando Hernandez he goes by AJ last seen on lee road 38. Anyone in the area please help me find him please!!!!!'
His death was later confirmed by friends and family on social media.
Relative Tina Melton wrote on Facebook: 'Little AJ didn't make it. He was found but he didn't survive... He was always eager to give hugs and loved his family. They are headed to the children's hospital with his brother. They also lost their home in the tornado with all belongings. Fly high AJ. You have your wings!'
Taylor Thornton, a fourth grader, was also found dead among the rubble, a GoFundMe page set up by friends of her parents, David and Taylor, revealed.
'[Taylor] brought so much joy to all that knew her. She was loved dearly and will forever be missed.
'Our hearts are mourning with you Ashley and David. You raised an amazing daughter that fulfilled her purpose on this earth and it now with her creator. This community loves you both, and baby McCrae so much and will continue to walk through this by your side.'  
Six-year-old Armando Hernandez (above) was identified one of the 23 people who were killed by the tornadoes that hit Alabama and Georgia
A second victim was identified as 10-year-old Taylor Thornton (above). Both youngsters were from Beauregard, a small community in Lee County, Alabama, where the worst tornado damage was reported
Six-year-old Armando Hernandez (left) and ten-year-old Taylor Thornton were identified as two of the 23 people who were killed by the tornado. Both youngsters were from Beauregard, a small community in Lee County, Alabama, where the worst tornado damage was reported 
This aerial photo shows the extensive damage caused by the Beauregard tornado
This aerial photo shows the extensive damage caused by the Beauregard tornado
Drone footage captures aftermath of Georgia and Alabama tornado
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A Native American tribe in Alabama announced on Friday that it will donate $184,000 to cover the burial costs of the 23 people killed.
Stephanie A. Bryan, the tribal Chair and CEO of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, announced the donation in a Facebook post following the devastating storms.
'It is at times of greatest need that we often see our communities coming together to help one another, this is one of those times. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected,' Bryan said in a statement.
Lee County Coroner Bill Harris confirmed he had been contacted by the tribe regarding their desire to pay for burial costs.
Sunday's tornado became the deadliest to hit the US since May 2015, when an EF5 twister killed 24 people in Oklahoma.

Full list of victims killed in the tornado

Armondo (AJ) Hernandez, 6
Charlotte Ann Miller, 59
David Dean, 53
Emmanuiel Jones, 53
Eric Jamal Stenson, 38
Felicia Woodall, 22
Florel Tate Stenson, 63
Henry Lewis Stenson, 65
Irma Gomez-Moran, 41
James Henry Tate, 86
Jimmy Lee Jones, 89
Jonathan Marquez Bowen, 9
Maggie Delight Robinson, 57
Mamie Roberts Koon, 68
Marshall Lynn Grimes, 59
Mary Louise Jones, 83
Mykala Waldon, 8
Raymond Robinson Jr., 63
Ryan Pence, 22
Sheila Creech, 59
Taylor Thornton, 10
Tresia Robinson, 62
Vicki Braswell, 69

National Weather Service spokesman Chris Darden announced that the tornado had been upgraded from an F3 to an F4 on the Fujita scale. Heavy machinery and construction workers have been called to the area to aid the clean-up, which could take several weeks.
Authorities have said that all of those once listed as missing have been accounted for or confirmed as dead. 
Last week, President Donald Trump paid respects to the 23 people killed by the tornado.
The president observed a moment of silence before white wooden crosses which stood in remembrance of each victim.
Trump and his wife, Melania, held hands as they paused in front of each of the markers erected near a church serving as a makeshift disaster relief center for survivors of Sunday's twister.
Earlier, the president stood on a hill overlooking a field full of debris and surveyed mangled trees and other wreckage.
Trump flew to a military base on the Georgia-Alabama border and boarded a helicopter that provided him with an aerial tour of the region before he arrived in Beauregard, which bore the brunt of the storm.
'We saw things that you wouldn't believe,' Trump said after visiting a section of town where tornado winds tore houses from their foundations and uprooted trees.
A local official briefed Trump and the First Lady as they stood outside a trailer belonging to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which is assisting state and local response efforts.
He met victims along the street, hearing their stories and dispensing hugs in some cases. He met privately with survivors and family members, including a woman mourning the loss of 10 relatives. 
'What they've been through is incredible,' Trump said after he emerged from the meeting.
At the relief center at Providence Baptist Church, Trump thanked law enforcement officials and other first responders, and Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, who oversees the FEMA.
Alabama is politically friendly territory to Trump, whose response to natural disasters at times has seemed to be influenced by the level of political support he has received from the affected areas.
The state supported Trump by a wide margin in the 2016 presidential election, and he carried about 60 per cent of the vote in Lee County, where Beauregard is located. 
Blue Trump flags flying outside homes are a frequent sight in the town.
In the months after wildfires scorched California, a Democrat-led state that voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016, Trump threatened to cut off federal aid unless the state embraced forest management policies he championed.

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