Mike Galloway
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).
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National Capital Contracting
On February 28, 2019, Erin Rider from Jacksonville State University interviewed Mike Galloway for an oral history project documenting experiences related to the Jacksonville tornado of March 19, 2018. The interview took place at the Houston Cole Library and focused on Galloway's personal and family experiences before, during, and after the tornado. Mike Galloway describes the impact of the tornado on his home and family, emphasizing the traumatic nature of the event. He had recently undergone back surgery, leaving him physically limited during the crisis, which added to his emotional distress. Galloway recounts how two large pine trees from his neighbor's yard were uprooted and struck his house, causing extensive damage. The tornado left his family seeking shelter in the hallway, holding on to each other and their dog, while the roof of their house was torn off. Galloway reflects on the immediate aftermath, describing the town of Jacksonville as unrecognizable, with widespread destruction, downed power lines, and a foggy landscape devoid of trees. He details the long process of recovery, including dealing with insurance companies, contractors, and the emotional toll of being displaced from their home for nine months. Galloway recounts how a visit from a young girl named Maddie helped him regain hope and motivation to continue rebuilding. The interview also touches on broader community efforts during the recovery, including the work of faith-based recovery teams and local law enforcement. Galloway praises the sense of solidarity in the town but also notes the challenges of working with contractors and the emotional weight of witnessing the destruction of a beloved town. The interview concludes with reflections on resilience and the hope for continued unity in Jacksonville's recovery.
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