In the three and a half years since I starting freelancing as a photojournalist and working as a general photographer, I have come across a lot things. Some good, some bad. I have photographed moments of sadness and loss, and also moments of happiness and celebration. From house fires and car accidents, to weddings and newborn babies.
However, I have never seen anything as devastating as the damage caused to a western Massachusetts community by a tornado that tore through the center of town on the evening of June 1, 2011. Monson, Massachusetts sits about 15 miles east of Springfield, and was one of the hardest hit areas during the hours that spawned 4 confirmed tornadoes that caused damage in 10 different communities. Standing on a hill that overlooked the center of town, the path the tornado took was very clear to see. Main street runs down the center of the small valley that the town is located in, and standing in front of the First Church of Monson, you could see where the tornado came down the hill on the right, across town, and up the other hill on the left.
My mission when I arrived in Monson on Thursday morning, June 2, 2011, was to tell the story of devastation through pictures. When I arrived, Governor Deval Patrick and Senators John Kerry and Scott Brown were wrapping up their press conference in front of the church. Walking down Main St on their way back to the helicopter that brought them in, they paused to talk to residents and snap pictures of the damaged buildings with their cell phones. 20 minutes later, the helicopter took off and it was time to work.
As I walked down State St, most of the damage was trees that had been ripped up and tossed around, some landing on people's houses. It wasn't until I made the turn onto Bethany Rd that the severity of this event really started to sink in. As I made my way down Bethany Rd towards Stewart Ave, the damage got worse. It stated with broken windows and shingles torn from the roof, then it was holes in the walls and sections of roof missing. Then I came to 11 Bethany Rd, or at least that's what the broken piece of door resting against a torn out shrub told me. The house was gone, reduced to splinters. The same with the house next door. Absolutely nothing left but the foundation.
I found myself, at this point, standing in the middle of Bethany Rd with my camera down by my side, just looking around in every direction. I was in awe. Just like everyone else, I have seen the footage on TV about the tornadoes in the southern states. Never have I walked through it first hand. I have always had a respect for the forces of Mother Nature, but this brought on a whole new level of respect for what she can do.
As I walked, I noticed something that was somewhat of a relief. There was no panic, no screaming, and almost no crying. The residents of this town were very composed and focused on the task at hand, claiming anything they could from the wreckage of what used to be their home. I wasn't there to stick a microphone in anyone's face and ask them "what did the tornado sound like?". I was a silent observer. They had enough to deal with. As I walked, I listened. Neighbors reconnecting with each other for the first time in over 12 hours. Tears of joy streaming down their face once they knew that they were ok. Residents were digging through the rubble, collecting clothes, furniture, anything they could get their hands on that could be salvaged. A few people sat where their front steps used to be, with a blank stare, just looking out into the neighborhood at all the devastation. My heart felt for all of them.
I slowly made my way back towards Main st, quietly taking it all in. I was speechless. There are not enough words to describe what I was seeing for the first time with my own eyes. Living in Massachusetts my entire life, this is something I would never experience in my own home state. Through the sadness they were feeling of what had happened, everyone I encountered remained positive. Happy to be alive and to see that their neighbors had made it through.
As I started to leave town, I thought to myself how lucky I am to have what I have. It also made me realize that it can all be taken away in a matter of minutes.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected by the deadly tornadoes that have hit this country in the last 2 months.
First Church of Monson
BEFORE
Photo Credit: Ann Kovitch(2009)
AFTER
Photo Credit: Kevin Wiles, Jr(WMSFirePhoto1)
