A Look Back at the 2008 Tornado
Four years ago Sunday, West Tennessee was hit by an EF4 tornado which claimed at least 23 lives across, Kentucky, Arkansas and Tennessee, injuring countless others. According to reports, the tornado claimed one life in Madison County and two in Hardin County. Union University officials said the majority of their building received extensive damage. Among those the hardest hit were the student dorms. “It was just a beautiful day outside. The weather had just warmed up.” said Tori White, Union graduate of 2009. White said she and other students were in their dorm when the tornado hit. “We were kind of immune to the tornado sirens at the time so we really didn’t think anything about it,” she said. White said once they realized the severity of the situation, they took cover in a bathroom. Ruth Minor, a 5th-year senior at Union recalls a similar situation. “I was sitting with some friends in our dorm room. We really didn’t take it seriously,” she said. White said after the storm cleared a walk outside would prove to be overwhelming. “Once we knew it was a tornado and finally came out from our dorm room we we’re just overwhelmed first off by the destruction. Cars were on top of cars,” she said. White said even more shocking was the quick response of Union officials. “We were told exactly what to do and it was amazing seeing Union’s leadership just step up,” she adds. She said the support shown to Union students and others affected by the tornado played a part in her families decision to remain in Jackson. White said she was then engaged to her husband who was also a student at Union in 2008. She said they both learned a valuable lesson that day. “God is sovereign and He can protect us through anything and He will,” she adds.
