Diary of a Disaster: The Aftermath

By RALPH HARDIN

ralphhardin@gmail.com A pril 1, 2023, was, sadly, not a festive April Fool’s Day for the residents of Wynne. It was, instead, the first day of a long road to recovery from the deadly storm that had left debris, damage and devastation in its wake the previous day.

But the people of Wynne would not stand alone, as volunteers and disaster relief teams from all over descended on the community in the following days and weeks.

And those who couldn’t go physically helped out in other ways, sending care packages, much needed essential supplies, money, food, clothing and more, along with heartfelt prayers and well wishes.

The Arkansas National Guard loads up a truck full of donations collected by students and staff from West Memphis Christian School in April of 2023 following the tornado that struck Wynne on March 31 last year.

Photos courtesy of PMG archives

Groups from all over Arkansas and beyond descended on Wynne offering assistance in any way possible.

The West Memphis Blue Devils softball team stand in solidarity with their rivals the Wynne Yellowjackets after last March’s deadly tornado. Blue Devils’ assistant coach Keenan Jumper and his wife lost their home and both vehicles at their residence in Wynne in the storm. A year later, they have not only rebuilt but have added to their family with the birth of a baby girl in May.

Photo by Ralph Hardin