HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — Walking into Stoneridge apartments near Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs will never be the same for Marcus Kilburn.
Less than 24 hours ago, he experienced the scariest moment of his life: an EF-2 tornado with a wind gust of over 100 mph that nearly destroyed his home.
"It really is a blessing [that] I'm still here," Kilburn said. "I don't mean to be melodramatic at all, but it's a blessing that I'm talking to you right now because when I turned around, that roof was flying off, and I don't know how I didn't go with it."
The word of the day being repeated constantly by those affected in this area is "grateful." They are grateful to be alive, grateful not to be hurt and grateful that this was not worse.
So far, crews have worked from sunup to sundown, providing assistance to those whose homes were impacted. Right now, crews are working to restore power, cut down trees and help move out personal belongings. In the midst of a harsh storm, Kilburn says it's nice to know you can lean on a community willing to help in a time of need.
"I'm just thankful for family and friends, and they over here hustling to get our stuff out," Kilburn said. "The roofers are working their tails off, and it's just a team effort. I'm just thankful."
Kilburn said he just remembers waking up to darkness and hearing the loud crashes of thunder and lightning, with no roof over his head and strong winds pulling him away.
"It's surreal, and it takes your mind a few minutes to process that because I'm looking at it like, wait a minute," Kilburn said. "I started to hear shingles being torn off the roof; then the insulation hitting me so hard in the back it started to sting."
Kilburn's apartment is not the only one in this area hit hard. Other homes suffered damages from broken windows, missing roofs and downed power lines. Overall, Kilburn said none of that equals the value of having his life.
