Wednesday marks five years since one of the deadliest tornado outbreaks in U.S. history. More than 50 tornadoes touched down in our area on this day 2011.
The storms killed 35 people in East Tennessee, including eight in Greene County, when two devastating tornados struck in the Horse Creek and Camp Creek communities.
The survivors have mostly rebuilt, and focus their attention away from the destruction and onto the many volunteers who rushed to help them that night, and in the coming weeks.
Kim Isley and her father Jack McAmis took the time to look through some photographs of their ruined homes on this anniversary.
2011 tornado damage in Greene County
“The amount of damage starts to get a little fuzzy to you till you look at these and remember the reality of it,” said Kim.
The storm tore the roof from Jack’s home and demolished Kim’s next door.
“This is what’s left of Kim's and her car where it rolled her house over them," said Jack.
Kim was trapped inside the wreckage and had to be pulled free by her parents.
“I just told her mom I think I’m hurt. I think I’m hurt bad," she said.
Bad, as in 26 broken bones, a punctured lung and more. She spent nearly a week in the hospital, and still can't work or drive.
The family chooses to focus not on what the storm took, but what it gave them
“It restored my faith in humanity. We had people that rallied around us, people that you wouldn’t dream of," they said.
They leaned on each other, their faith, and their neighbors.
Some came from far away, all helping victims to rebuild.
“We gained a new family, so many people. I just felt blessed. There were so many angels that we met along the way,” said Kim.
It’s why Kim has a sign by her front door that reads, "This is the house that love built."
But love had help. A lot of it. That’s what Kim remembers.
"There’s always a blessing. Always. And there’s always hope.," she said.