Natural disasters are nothing out of the ordinary; they happen every year across the world in random places. You never think that something that can cause so much damage and heart break can happen to you until it does. On Wednesday, Aug. 24, three tornadoes tore through Kokomo, Indiana, which brought potential disaster back to reality. Per the Washington Post, of the three tornadoes, one was classified as an EF3, with winds reaching 152 mph, and reaching a width of 300 yards wide. It is said that the twister stayed on the south side of Kokomo for over 10 minutes, and traveled a distance of five miles. Power was extinguished from more than 36,000 homes in the region, and over 50 homes, apartments, and stores were destroyed. Incredibly, of the 15-20 people that were injured, none of the injuries were major or fatal. One Starbucks got particular attention for being demolished by the storm, with people still inside. About 15 customers were stuck in the bathroom but were rescued by a handyman who got the twister on video. He had been across the street recording the flying debris when he caught the tornado and resulting damage on his phone.

After Wednesday’s tornadoes, the general hospitality was brought back to view in all the volunteers who flooded in to help. Some of Delphi’s own students went to Kokomo the week following the storm to help with the different relief efforts. Senior Bella McGill went to Kokomo to help families who were affected by the storm. She and her family worked through the damage “cleaning up all of the branches and the shingles.” Bella said, “We were helping out a few houses right next to where the tornado actually went through, so we could see the path of destruction. It was pretty intense. Mostly it was a lot of fallen tree branches, but there was lawn furniture and stuff like that out on the curb that had been trashed. We also saw a few cars that had their windows completely smashed out, and one had its roof torn off.”

Junior Shadow Rhode also saw the suffering of the civilians and said, “The amount of damage, even though it could have been worse, brought tears to my eyes seeing it all, knowing what all these people lost. What affected me the most was seeing the kids picking up debris from their lives that were changed in a matter of seconds, when they should have been out playing ball or riding bikes or having fun.”

In the midst of devastation, ultimately the site was one of hope and potential. “It was nice to see everyone coming together and helping each other out. I know it didn’t make much of a dent in the wreckage, but it was nice to make a difference in some people’s lives and let them know that people everywhere care and are praying for them,” said Bella.

“Seeing the kids faces when they saw that someone was helping them out made the whole thing worth spending hours in the heat,” Shadow said.

The storms Wednesday not only impacted area homes and businesses, but they affected schools and sports teams as well. Most Friday nights in late August in the midwest are football nights, but for Kokomo and Hamilton Heights High Schools, it was a different story. After the shock of the tragedy had worn off, Brett Colby, head football coach at Kokomo High School, decided to cancel the football game and have his players help the community by cleaning up. Hamilton Heights players came up and did the same.  Coach Colby was impressed and humbled by the act of service shown by both teams.

““Selflessness . . . putting others before yourself and your own wants . . . There was a greater good to take care of last Friday rather than playing a game. Our players and Hamilton Heights’ team had a great experience and each team would do the same thing all over again if need be,” said Colby.

The Kokomo coach was especially complimentary of their out-of-town rivals. “Hamilton Heights coming up to a community they have nothing invested in was a true selfless act and I praise their principal (Jarrod Mason) and head coach (Mitch Street),” Colby said.

As far as how the town and the school are doing, Coach Colby said, “We are up for a big comeback . . . although the tornado happened a week ago today, we are farther along than I thought we would be when I woke up last Thursday. There are still many areas that will take months to get back to a functional mode . . . but traffic is able to get around town and people are continuing to clean up and trying to move on.”  

The city and its people, although stunned through devastation, are showing a great deal of optimism and hope for the future.  

Even as these organizations and individuals start to clean up, the real effort continues weeks from now as the original shock wears off. The Kokomo area will need a second wave of volunteers to come and help them continue to rebuild their homes and clean up their community. If you or your family would like to help, the community needs things such as monetary donations, rakes, chainsaws, personal protection equipment (safety glasses, masks, earplugs, etc.), and contractor trash bags. Diapers, formula, and toiletries are a top priority for families, although clothes are not needed. You can drop off donations at The Excel Center at 101 W. Superior St. in Kokomo.

Another way to help is by texting HOOSIER to 41444 to donate to The Salvation Army’s tornado relief efforts. The Salvation Army is sheltering 200+ people in need of food and shelter. Call the Howard County’s 211 hotline to help as a short term volunteer and answer phones or hand out supplies for the Red Cross.