WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ind. — In the aftermath of destructive storms that tore through southern Indiana, the devastation in Washington County is hard to grasp. From shattered homes to toppled headstones, the community is now facing the monumental task of recovery — but it’s a task many aren’t taking on alone.
In the town of South Boston, what once was a trailer home now lies in pieces scattered across a field. Insulation is strewn in every direction, and only the base of the trailer remains. Next door, a cemetery is a sobering sight — massive granite headstones knocked over by the storm's force.
Families have returned to check on loved ones’ resting places, but amid the heartbreak, something remarkable is unfolding: neighbors, strangers, and volunteers are stepping up to help in any way they can.
Devastating images also came out of South Boston, where the storm's fury moved a freezer hundreds of feet. Parts of a trailer were thrown so far that some of the framing landed beneath a cemetery headstone. Dozens of memorials, representing lives once lived, were damaged in just minutes.
But in the middle of the heartbreak, a strong sense of community is shining through.
About eight miles west in Salem, massive trees lie snapped in half, some resting heavily on homes. That’s where Joshua Marshall and David Peery have shown up with chainsaws and tarps in hand.
The two men, who own local construction companies — Prodigal Builders and Greater Day Home Projects — cleared their work schedules through the weekend to assist neighbors in need. Whether it's removing fallen trees or covering exposed roofs, they said it’s simply part of their calling.
“To us, it’s like, oh, it’s just another job,” said Peery. “But you really don’t realize, everyone’s in a different stage of life. Some of them are really bad off, and the littlest things can mean the most. It’s heartwarming.”
“It’s not only fulfilling for me,” added Marshall, “but it’s also a chance to teach my kids the same values — that nobody is beneath you. You can always meet someone where they are and help however you can.”
As the community waits for the National Weather Service to survey the damage — to determine whether tornadoes officially touched down — residents are already working to rebuild, not just homes, but hope.
Because in Washington County, when tragedy strikes, humanity answers.
The burial lots in the cemetery are donated to families. To help with the cleanup efforts, contact Jimmy Lee at (812) 844-8400.
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- Tornado leaves extensive damage, thousands without power in east Louisville
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