Jennifer Jones

Location of Interview
Collection Name

Jacksonville Alabama Tornado Oral History Collection

Description

On March 19, 2018, an EF-3 tornado devastated the City of Jacksonville, Alabama, and had a significant impact on the campus of Jacksonville State University (JSU). Using an oral history approach, a team of researchers from JSU's Center for Disaster and Community Resilience (CDCR) conducted in-depth interviews with 25 residents of Jacksonville who experienced the EF-3 tornado. Interviews took place in the Houston Cole Library, were conducted in private, and lasted approximately 90 minutes each. An article was published in 2022 based on the tornado oral history project in the Weather, Climate, and Society journal by the American Meteorological Society (AMS).

To explore this collection and others resources, visit JSU's Digital Commons: https://digitalcommons.jsu.edu.

Interviewer
Date of Interview
02-27-2019
Transcribers

National Capital Contracting 

Principal Investigator
Audio
Abstract

On February 27, 2019, Erin Rider interviewed Jennifer Jones for an oral history project documenting the impact of the Jacksonville tornado that occurred on March 19, 2018. Jones, a resident of Jacksonville and a staff member at Jacksonville State University, shares her experience leading up to, during, and after the tornado. Jennifer begins by recalling her preparations for the storm, having bought bottled water and snacks, and organizing her apartment for safety in case of severe weather. She describes seeking shelter in her bathtub as the tornado approached, noting the pressure drop and the characteristic freight-train sound. After the tornado passed, she remembers the eerie quiet and seeing emergency services respond. The next morning, Jennifer recounts feeling the need to help, so she joined other volunteers at a local church to distribute bottled water and supplies. In the aftermath, Jones details how the community came together, including sorority members organizing an Amazon wishlist to support those affected. Her apartment became a makeshift distribution center for donated goods, which she and others distributed to students and local residents. She reflects on the changes in the town and campus, both physical and emotional, and expresses gratitude for the strong sense of community that emerged. Jennifer highlights the kindness and empathy displayed by residents, even as they dealt with the trauma of loss and recovery. Throughout, she emphasizes the importance of preparation and community support during such disasters.


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The NOAA mission is to understand and predict changes in climate, weather, oceans, and coasts, to share that knowledge and information with others, and to conserve and manage coastal and marine ecosystems and resources. The Voices Oral History Archives offers public access to a wide range of accounts, including historical materials that are products of their particular times, and may contain offensive language or negative stereotypes.

Voices Oral History Archives does not verify the accuracy of materials submitted to us. The opinions expressed in the interviews are those of the interviewee only. The interviews here have been made available to the public only after the interviewer has confirmed that they have obtained consent.