The tragic tornadoes that demolished portions of Amory and Rolling Fork, Miss., on March 24 left a memorable impression on countless University of Mississippi students.
Student organizations set up opportunities for fundraising, volunteering and donating all in the name of support for the citizens of the areas affected.
Individual Ole Miss students, such as Terrell Atkins, were directly affected by the catastrophe..
Born and raised in Amory, Atkins ventured over to Oxford in fall 2022 as a freshman at UM. Around seven months later, on March 24, Atkins was rushed to the basement of a frozen yogurt establishment on The Square as fractions of his hometown were being swept away.
“I was at Yaya’s, visiting a friend, and then the sirens went off. They told us to go to the basement,” Atkins said.
Atkins confessed that he was not initially concerned about the weather, as Amory frequently experiences unnerving weather without disastrous follow-up.
“It’s never been like that one before. I just thought it would be another storm that went by. I didn’t really take it that seriously at the time,” Atkins said.
He later learned that even though his family’s house was not destroyed, Atkins’ family was forced to temporarily relocate until the necessary repairs can be made.
“A tree fell on our laundry room roof, so my parents are, right now, camping out in Tupelo in a hotel while the house gets fixed — like roofing and electric and hot water,” Atkins said. “But the damage wasn’t as bad as it could have been, so that’s why I’m grateful.”
He has yet to return to Amory for a visit post-tornado.
“I think I’m subconsciously trying to avoid it,” Atkins said. “I mean, I’ve seen pictures and videos, but I haven’t really seen the wreckage. I think I’m gonna go back this weekend — maybe.”
Atkins said that he is thankful to the people who check in on him and his home, but acknowledges that it is exhausting to be constantly reminded of it.
“Last week I was in the union getting food and these two girls saw that I was wearing an Amory shirt that I just happened to wear that day. They were like, ‘Hey, are you from the town that the tornadoes went through?’” Atkins said. “It just felt weird and was just really random to me, but I appreciated it (the checking in).”
Regardless, Atkins believes that it is the people within communities, far and close, that bring the good out of terrible situations like this one.
“I think that in a time like this, where it can feel (like) everybody is such in a vulnerable, helpless spot, that having a lot of people around you that are willing to be compassionate and have empathy — no matter who you are, where you came from or any past you may have – it gives people hope,” Atkins said. “It makes you realize the importance of community and the people who are willing to give back when they see someone genuinely needs it.”
