Recovery Efforts Underway in States Hammered by Tornadoes

Recovery efforts are underway in states like Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee, which were hammered by deadly tornadoes.
 
The National Weather Service confirms that at least 19 twisters damaged homes, splintered barns, and toppled trees. 

At least five people were killed.

The storms tore through just as firefighters began to get control of the wildfires that had been raging in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. 

Residents say they are thankful for rescue teams, shelters, and their community's help. 
 
"I'm grateful and thankful they opened up the church to do this," said Tennessee resident David Boulder. "I feel blessed just sitting here because I have a place to go."

"I've got a lot of good neighbors that will help out, cleaning up, rebuilding," one man said. 

"A house is just a house, but you can't replace your family and friends," said Alabama resident Buffie Clickner.

The National Weather Service reports these are the nation's first deadly tornadoes in more than six months. 

The number of droughts, floods, fires and now tornadoes has one Alabama pastor saying it might be a supernatural event. 

Pastor Roger Little of Rosalie, Alabama, said he wonders if God is trying to get America's attention. 

Little pastors Rosalie Baptist Church, where a twister killed three people. 

The storm tore into the church, damaging a classroom wing and lifting off part of the sanctuary roof. 

He said the winds even knocked over headstones in the cemetery behind the church. Church member Steve Hall told The Associated Press the graveyard looks like the Rapture occurred. 

Little said his church will be praying for the families of the three people who died when the storm destroyed their home.