Her Purpose - Tornado

TORNADO

Enterprise, Alabama

True Story - Rosa Enid Cruz Roque

A Frightening Day

Several days prior to March 1, 2007, I learned through a news broadcast that there was potential for unfavorable weather conditions on that specific date.

When I got up in the morning, I didn't hear anything different about the weather than I was used to hearing, so I made the decision to send my son to Enterprise High School.

I got ready to go to college to take a music class I had that day. When I went to Enterprise Community College, almost all the parking spaces were empty. There were a few people in the hallways. I went to my classroom, and no one was there. I approached an individual and learned that the administration had dismissed all students due to imminent severe weather.

I went to the parking lot, called my son, and asked him if he wanted me to pick him up from school. He informed me that the school was releasing the students early, and I didn't need to meet him since he would be leaving on the school bus. Consequently, I returned home.

While I was home, I struck up a conversation with my oldest son about the weather. We were outside in the garage, chatting animatedly, when suddenly he pointed toward the trees. "Mami, (mommy) look!" he exclaimed, directing my attention to the trees. The wind pushed the trees back and forth, and the tree branches swayed violently. Darkness reigned in the place, and a terrifying sound echoed in the air. Frightened, I screamed at my son, "Corre!" (run)!

We don't have a basement, so we ran to the closet in the center of the house to find safe shelter. I prayed aloud, asking God for protection and waiting for the storm to pass quickly. The house was shaking so hard that it seemed like it was going to collapse over us.

For a moment, the wind stopped, and there was calm. I told my son, who was about to open the closet door, to stay still. The winds began again shaking the house with a disturbing force.

Upon the cessation of the winds, we emerged from the closet. I then proceeded to retrieve the radio. Turning on the radio, I heard in the news that a tornado had hit the high school in Enterprise. A wave of nervousness and worry washed over me since my son, who is the youngest in the family, attended that educational institution.

Hearing about the destruction, I went to my neighbor, whose husband was a high school teacher. With anxiety and concern, I asked her if she had any information. She confirmed the sad news to me that some people had lost their lives. At that moment, I felt a mixture of shock and fear for my son and all the students at school.

I called my husband and told him what had happened. Unfortunately, I didn't think clearly and told my older son to stay home while I went to pick up my younger son. I should have taken him with me, but my mind was not clear at the time.

As I was driving, trying to find the closest route to the school, I encountered a police officer stopping traffic. Upon inquiring, I was informed that there had been a tragic incident involving student deaths. Consequently, I was instructed to return home because they wouldn't let anyone go to school.

In my eagerness to see my son, I attempted to reach the school using different routes. However, to my dismay, the streets leading to the school were closed, hindering my journey. I drove through a parking lot and saw a lot of people walking. I parked on the grass next to a bank, got out of the car, and started walking.

As I drew closer, I was greeted by a scene of utter devastation, resembling the aftermath of a bomb explosion. Destruction and chaos were strewn everywhere.

Many people were walking towards the high school. As I made my way towards the high school, a chaotic scene unfolded before my eyes. Overturned cars lay strewn across the concrete and grass, electrical wires dangled dangerously, and debris littered the ground, creating an unsettling atmosphere. I had to move cautiously, making sure not to step on anything dangerous.

While walking in front of a different school, an individual suddenly began shouting to everyone, "Run! Another tornado is approaching." I quickly scanned my surroundings but couldn't observe any visible signs of a tornado.

As I listened to people shouting warnings of another tornado, worry for my oldest son began to take over me. I reflected on my decision not to take him with me to the high school and wished I had. The church where the teenagers were was relatively close, so I decided to continue walking in that direction.

I was really desperate to see my son. They told me that the young people were in the basement of the Baptist Church, and I went there to look for my son. At that time, my son had an afro. I was wandering around the basement trying to find my son. Suddenly my eyes met his. Seeing me, my son walked towards me, and we embraced each other. Tears rolled down our cheeks as we hugged each other tightly.

I am eternally grateful to God for my son's safety, but my heart aches deeply for the innocent lives, including those of my son's precious friends, who perished in the devastating force of the tornado. Although our home was not damaged, the proximity of the natural phenomenon left us in a state of shock and with a deep feeling of vulnerability.

When I was writing the chapter about the storm, it reminded me of that terrible day. I want to dedicate this chapter to the people who faced the tornado in Enterprise, Alabama, and the people who faced Hurricane María in Puerto Rico. Both events are very close to my heart.