Oklahoman In Tuscaloosa Aids Storm Victims

Dana Hertneky, News 9

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- Oklahomans are no strangers to storms like the ones that hit the south on Wednesday.

Jeremy Colburn is an Oklahoma native who was in Tuscaloosa when the storm hit. He jumped into action helping his neighbors.

Colburn says he heard on the news the tornado was coming and then stepped out his door and saw the storm just two and a half miles away.

"We just started taking pictures of it and praying for the people that were going to be in it," he said.

After living in Enid for 20+ years Colburn says he knew tornadoes.

"And I knew it wasn't going to be good."

After the massive storm passed through he immediately jumped in his truck to go and help.

"I knew I had to do something because if it was my family that was down there I would want someone to help me too," said Colburn.

And what he found he says was very much like the May 3rd tornado.

"Everything is gone, it's just leveled, it's depressing."

But the casualties were massive.

"I didn't figure moving down here I would ever have to experience things like this."

Still he says he saw in the people a similar spirit.

"People down here, they're a lot like the people in Oklahoma. They come together and try to help each other."

And he says help is what the folks in Alabama need right now in any way you send it.

"I just want the people in Oklahoma to pray for the people in Alabama," he said.

Jeremy says the big difference down there is people just aren't equipped for storms like this.

They don't have storm shelters and storm rooms and that likely made a big difference.