Katelyn Schneider
Jacksonville Alabama Tornado Oral History Collection
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.
On July 16, 2019, Aaron Ryder interviewed Katelyn Schneider for a Jacksonville State University oral history project documenting experiences of the March 19, 2018, tornado in Jacksonville, Alabama. Schneider begins by recounting the events of the day, detailing how her car broke down after a long workday and the challenges she faced before the tornado hit. She describes picking up her friend from work at Subway and making the decision to return to her apartment complex, the Reserve, to rescue her dog despite warnings to take shelter at the university police department. Schneider vividly recalls the moments before the tornado, observing power outages and forming clouds as she rushed to secure her belongings and dog. The interview captures Schneider’s experience of the storm, her narrow escape, and the aftermath. She discusses the damage to her apartment complex and how she was temporarily displaced, staying in a hotel with her father, who rushed to help her after hearing about the tornado. She explains how the disaster forced her to leave her job, sprain her ankle, and ultimately relocate to her sister’s home in Georgia while seeking a new place to live. Schneider also reflects on the emotional impact of the event, describing lingering anxiety triggered by bad weather and how the experience strengthened her relationships with her family and best friend. The interview explores her thoughts on disaster resilience, emphasizing the importance of preparedness, having a support network, and maintaining a positive outlook amidst challenging circumstances.
Please Note: The oral histories in this collection are protected by copyright and have been created for educational, research and personal use as described by the Fair Use Doctrine in the U.S. Copyright law. Please reach out Voices@noaa.gov to let us know how these interviews are being used in your research, project, exhibit, etc. The Voices staff can help provide other useful resources related to your inquiry.
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.