The tornadoes that hit Dyer and Gibson counties last week left a path of destruction 25 miles long, taking the lives of 24 West Tennesseans and leaving dozens of others homeless and in shock.

Current students were also deeply affected. Freshman Cassie Sherron, 19, a Psychology major, lost both parents and a nephew Sunday night. Her parents, Eddie and Vicky Sherron, along with her 11-month-old nephew Lucas, were killed when the tornado destroyed their home in Newbern. At the memorial service last Wednesday, the line of mourners waiting to pay their respects spilled out onto the street and down the block.

UTM student Chelsey Elliott’s mother was also killed in the storms. UTM employee Janice Sims’ sister and sister-in law were killed as well, as was UTM alumna Janie King, who was an employee of the Department of Education and was housed in Clement Hall.

Local businesses and victims’ co-workers have taken the lead in supplying assistance. John Huish, who lost two employees, Jeremy and Jodi Price, closed the factory to allow mourners to attend that funeral, gave $15,000 in aid and announced that co-workers had organized a barbeque sale with all proceeds and other cash donations to benefit the Red Cross. Other businesses, both large and small, are making donations, holding fundraisers and collecting much-needed supplies.

National and local agencies and charitable organizations are amassing to offer any assistance that the tornado victims need. As the community bands together to help and protect their own, relatives of the deceased, homeless and injured, have spread across the county to search for belongings and clear debris. Any mementos that are found are being brought to the local grocery store and displayed in hopes that the owners can claim them.

Volunteers are pouring in from other areas, bringing with them donations and supplies and serving to help clear debris, work in construction and help with emotional support.

Pam Miotti, a resident of Newbern, said that although she’d been through other tornadoes, she’d never seen anything like this. “This whole thing is unbelievable. It’s like a really bad show you’re watching on TV, except that you can’t change the channel. No matter where you go it’s still there.”