Vilonia resident reflects on day EF-4 tornado tore through his home
VILONIA, Ark. – A day lifelong local of Vilonia, Fred Weaver, says changed his life forever, when an ef-4 tornado tore through his beloved hometown, and destroyed his home.
Yet today his home sits in the very place that he could’ve lost his life at 10 years ago. Fred Weaver says with the help of God, family, and friends, he’s standing tall and back on his feet.
Vilonia continues to heal after being hit by deadly EF-4 tornado 9 years ago
“It’s something I’ll never forget, I lost everything,” Weaver said.
The day forever imprinted in his mind.
“I was standing on the end of the porch, and I watched for it, because they said it was coming through Vilonia,” Weaver said.
Weaver ran down to his basement to take shelter.
“All the house was complete when I went down, and when I came back up, there was nothing,” Weaver said.
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His home that overlooks Williams Lake, a slab of concrete. His belongings, scattered through the woods, but the shock didn’t set in completely until he went into town.
“I went to Vilonia, and I saw what happened, and I just started crying,” Weaver said.
Now nearly 10 years later, his house is standing tall on the once slab of concrete.
Only a few things survived the tornado, including a piece of furniture that sits in his house today, and a picture of his son who he lost years ago.
People from across the country came to help the area rebuild, and while they were at it, put an American flag on top of the destruction as a sign of strength and unity.
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The reminder of resilience hangs in his home now.
“With the help of Jesus, we made it through,” Weaver said.
While Weaver said he lost nearly everything, he gained a new perspective that only comes through walking through the valley.
“It makes me think more about love and kindness that’s what life should be,” Weaver said.
When he thinks back to that time in his life, he remembers so clearly how many people came to help not just him, but everyone, and he’s forever thankful for that.
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