DECATUR, Ark. — Residents living just outside of Decatur are still working to move forward almost eight weeks after the May 26 tornadoes tore through the area.
Decatur Mayor Bob Tharp, tells 5NEWS that while there has been significant progress with disaster recovery since May, residents are still trying to get back on their feet.
Tharp reflected on how the storms left people without homes, and farmers without jobs, and how the landscape of trees changed completely.
He said Benton County has been a great help in the hard-hit Carlton Drive area with debris and tree removal, and many people have taken advantage of government resources and help from volunteers.
Just as powerful as that assistance, though, was the help from neighbors who came together.
“This is a farming community,” Tharp said. “Farmers are very frugal, and they solve problems, and when there's a problem, they're going to figure out a way to solve it. A lot of the recovery that's already been done has been because of that as much as governmental help.”
As time passes, he says people are coming to grips with what happened and trying to move forward.
“My wife and I recently were driving on Carlton Drive, and it was devastating, the amount of vegetation that was lost,” Tharp said. “Suddenly, she said, ‘Look, little trees are growing up.’ The circle of life is going to be their friend as well. It’s going to be tough and it's going to be a while.”
Mayor Tharp encourages people living in the area who need anything, to ask for help. He reminds residents that nonprofits like Samaritan’s Purse are still in town helping families and it’s not too late to sign up for FEMA assistance.
If you need help finding those resources or signing up for FEMA assistance, Mayor Tharp said you can always call Decatur City Hall andd they will help you get connected with those organizations.
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