FCBA Day 21- Pauls Valley to OKC OK

 

I was exhausted yesterday and wrote a dismal blog. A good night’s sleep, a short/brisk 52 mile ride (Pauls Valley to OKC ride) that took us through the devastation of the worst tornados ever seen by man has put me back into perspective and I’m inspired to write more than I have time. Tonight I am separated from my cycling family to be with kin, so I’m on the front porch of my brother’s house in El Reno smoking a cigar sent by my friend Bob from home. Yes, life is good.

I have never seen anything close to what I saw today. Really, nobody has, outside of this place. Modern man has never seen storms worse than these. The Oklahoma Police Chaplain gave us a briefing and introduced us to local resource providers who will direct our efforts Monday. I only wish we could stay here and help, and can only hope our efforts down the road will send help this way.

They need help here. Tons of supplies have arrived and everyone is being cared for as best possible, but nothing more than just sweat can get this job done. You can imagine and see what needs to be done from what you’ve seen in media coverage, and assure you there is nothing like witnessing something like this in person to get a sense of the magnitude. There is the suburb with over 13,800 families displaced, but then there is the countryside. Those “amber waves of grain” we proudly sing of need harvesting or will be lost. The problem is the debris field includes the wheat fields and the machinery can be severely damaged by hidden obstructions. Before harvest every field must be searched by volunteers walking shoulder to shoulder to remove junk. These are really big wheat fields. To further compound the problem is the fact this has been an especially wet year so the crop is at further risk. I’ll say it again; they need help here- no skill or lack of it goes unappreciated.

“The children walk in silence” was something I heard a volunteer say today. Even after the last shard of glass is swept from this place damage will remain. These folk are working tirelessly and the day they have nothing left to do but sit with their thoughts another storm will blow. They are in shock. We’ve seen our share of devastation in Florida and other places on the Eastern and Southern coasts, so experience with such healing is needed too. There is no end to the needs wanting satisfaction, but these people aren’t playing the victim role- they are tired but keep working.

I look forward to working with them, and learning how they cope. Ride video