As the nation marks Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the town of Selma, Alabama, is still reeling from the devastating effects of a tornado that ravaged its homes and buildings. The twister, categorized as EF-2, left a trail of destruction in its wake, sweeping away roofs and tossing around mobile homes. The town’s residents are now struggling to come to terms with the aftermath, as a sense of resilience and solidarity begins to take hold.
The storm’s impact was felt not just in Selma, but also in Autauga county, where it claimed seven lives, including four from the same family. Aerial footage of the aftermath shows a town covered in debris, with ruined buildings and uprooted trees scattered across the terrain. As the people of Selma and its neighboring towns begin the long process of rebuilding, they are drawing inspiration from Dr. King’s commitment to social justice and his message of hope and resilience in the face of adversity.
In his MLK Day speech, President Joe Biden did not explicitly mention the accelerating crisis of climate change, which many experts believe contributed to the severity of the storm. However, on Sunday, Biden did announce federal aid for Alabama, a move that is seen as crucial in helping the affected communities recover from the disaster.
For the residents of Selma, the road to recovery will be a long and difficult one. The city’s Crosspoint Christian church, which was badly hit by the tornado, is a testament to the resilience of the community. The church’s daycare center was destroyed, and 70 children and their teachers had to shelter in the bathroom, where they huddled together until the storm passed.
Selma Rallies in Wake of Tornado Destruction“It was nothing but by the grace of God that they walked out of there,” said the Rev. David Nichol, who was at the church during the storm. “The walls started shaking and I told my class, ‘Lie down and close your eyes’…and I laid down on top of them until it was over,” said Sheila Stockman, one of the teachers, who was credited with helping to save the children.
As the people of Selma work to rebuild their homes and their lives, they are finding comfort in their faith and in the spirit of Dr. King’s legacy. The Rev. Leodis Strong, pastor at Brown Chapel AME, where congregation members handed out food, water, and emergency supplies on Sunday, emphasized the importance of community and solidarity in the face of adversity. “If anything, that ought to inspire and motivate us to practice our faith and our understanding of Dr. King’s commitment,” he said. “So we’ll make it through this. We’re going to make it.”