Pam Smith

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
02-26-2019
Transcribers

National Capital Contracting 

Principal Investigator
Audio
Abstract

On February 26, 2019, Tanveer Islam interviewed Pam Smith for an oral history project about the Jacksonville tornado that occurred on March 19, 2018. The interview took place at the Houston Cole Library, Jacksonville State University. Pam Smith, who lived across from Logan Hall on the Jacksonville State University campus, experienced the tornado firsthand as it hit her home. During the interview, Smith recounts her experience of being in the path of the tornado and describes how she prepared for it. She shares that she recognized the classic signs of an approaching tornado, including the familiar train-like sound, atmospheric changes, and the eerie yellow-green sky. Smith took shelter in her hall bathroom with her cat and had made prior preparations by bringing a flashlight and valuables. The tornado caused significant damage, felling large trees around her home, but fortunately, it did not completely destroy the house. She attributes the roof staying intact to tree limbs that laid across it, preventing the suction effect from lifting it off. Smith discusses the aftermath of the tornado, detailing her experiences with insurance, repairs, and assistance from volunteers. She highlights the importance of being cautious with contractors, as many took advantage of homeowners in the immediate aftermath of the storm. Smith emphasizes the value of patience and community support, noting that volunteers helped clear debris, and she received assistance from friends and church members. The interview also covers Smith’s insights into preparedness, including having a plan, portable phone chargers, and awareness of weather signs. She reflects on the resilience needed to recover from such events and offers advice on how to manage the challenges following a disaster.


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.