Exercise F. Welcome to the show.0:04
Here with us today we have Brenda Phillips, whose family lived through the recent hurricane here in Mississippi.0:08
Brenda, tell us about the day the hurricane hit.0:16
Well, it was around 1 AM when the wind started howling.0:19
Our TV wasn't working, so we turned on the radio.0:23
We heard that all of the rescue centres had been washed away.0:26
That's when I knew we were in serious danger.0:30
Suddenly we heard a loud crack.0:35
Then, seconds later, a tree crashed through the wall.0:38
We retreated to the wardrobe, which had been emptied of all clothing, and covered ourselves with mattresses for safety.0:41
Then I noticed the walls were shaking.0:48
That must have been terrifying.0:50
Yeah, we huddled together waiting for the hurricane to pass, but it seemed like we were there forever.0:52
As the hurricane approached, it sounded like a train, but when it was finally upon us, it sounded like a jet engine.0:59
All the while, objects bounced off our wardrobe door, threatening to break it.1:06
Were you prepared in any way for this event?1:11
I've lived through 5 hurricanes, including this one, so I knew what to expect.1:13
The day before, I had prepared some sandwiches and water.1:18
I also made sure I had an axe in case we had to cut our way out.1:22
But nothing prepared me for the aftermath of this hurricane.1:25
Tell us what happened.1:29
Well, after we had hacked through the debris blocking the wardrobe door, we saw that our home was in ruin.1:31
The roof had been completely torn off, and the shredded curtains were blowing around in empty window frames.1:37
Most of the furniture was destroyed, but strangely, an antique lamp remained intact.1:44
What about the rest of the town?1:50
As we emerged from our home, we couldn't believe our eyes.1:52
It was as though we had stepped into a war film.1:55
The street was like a muddy river, with the remnants of people's homes floating past us.1:58
We walked to my mother's house, but all that was left was a pile of rubble.2:04
How did you and your family cope in this difficult time?2:08
I couldn't believe that all of our family belongings were missing.2:11
I started to dig among the rubble—broken lamps, toys, shoes—and miraculously found my mother's wedding album.2:15
I knew that together we would pull through.2:26
So what did you do after that?2:29
Well, one of our neighbours was calling out for help.2:31
Her husband's leg had been trapped under a collapsed wall.2:34
Lifting the debris was backbreaking work, but eventually we managed to free him.2:37
He had a broken foot.2:42
However, he was grateful to be alive.2:44
How long do you think it will take for communities to be rebuilt?2:47
Well, it's hard to say because there's so much that needs to be done.2:50
The local hospital is currently being restored, and the town hall will be rebuilt next month.2:55
However, even when all the buildings are repaired, It will still take some time for things to return to normal.3:00
Finally, Brenda, do you have any words for the listeners out there who have also suffered as a result of this hurricane?3:07
In order to get through this, we have to stay strong and we all have to work together.3:13
It won't happen overnight, but eventually we will get through this ordeal.3:18
Thank you so much for talking to us today, Brenda.3:23
Thanks for having me on the show.3:25
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