The Storm

                                            The Union University Tornado of 2008

         Facts about the Tornado

*Winds estimated at 200/240 MPH
*86 Injuries
*51 injured victims taken to the hospital
*9 injured victims admitted
* 0 fatalities
*31 of 41 campus buildings damaged
*19 of 41 campus buildings with major damages
*75 percent of on-campus housing destroyed
*40 million dollars in damage

The tornado came from Arkansas, crossed the Mississippi, continued through Memphis, heading for Jackson, Tennessee.

                                                     
The tornado was observed by the sophisticated Doppler radar tower.
Funnel clouds were seen as they crossed the Mississippi with winds of
destructive power.

“Where will it touch down?" said the local weather announcer, as
it headed for a Memphis mall.
Channel 3 was warning everyone to take cover as sirens began to squall.
Fifteen  18-wheelers were scattered along I-40 blocking traffic for hours.
No one realized the force of the winds or the extent of the tornado's powers.

The combined forces of the rescue teams were activated on the campus of Union.
Instructions were being passed from dorm to dorm and alarms were going off in unison.

Winds from the storm were awesome as they hit the campus without pity.
Cars, trees, and buildings took on the appearance of a Bagdad city.

Fear mixed with faith the students followed the instructions of the campus leaders.
Rescue teams uncovered injured bodies buried under the rubble and the rescuers were
seen as angelic greeters.

The miracle of all miracles in spite of the damage and property loss
Is that every student was saved from the storm and not one life was lost.

Ted Parrish