Beck Photographer Snaps Stunning Pictures of Henryville Disaster
- Posted on March 5, 2012 at 8:44am by
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Editor’s note: Mark Mabry is a photographer and artist who has found his way to Mercury Radio Arts, Glenn Beck’s media company. Shortly after the devastating storms swept across the Midwest and South last week, Mabry hit the ground in Henryville, Indiana, one of the hardest-hit areas. Below are some of his first, stunning pictures from the scene, as well as a first-hand report. Stay tuned to The Blaze and GBTV for more updates, including a report from GBTV correspondent Raj Nair later today.
Mark Mabry/Mercury Radio Arts
A day in Henryville is hope therapy. It’s a place where “God bless you” comes out as a prayer rather than acknowledgment of a sneeze.
The drive between Louisville airport and Henryville is relatively void of wreckage. The first sign of trouble is actually a sign. The turnoff sign to Henryville is bent completely backward. A cop directs traffic at the entrance to town, but didn’t seem to be turning anyone away. Every car had an excuse to enter.
Mark Mabry/Mercury Radio Arts
The morning hours were relatively quiet. Of the flattened houses it was tough to find the owners. But nearly every house had a dozen or so people picking up family pictures, tossing bricks, and separating what was salvageable. At one home I found the son of the owner.
“Where’s your mom?”
“Oh, she’s resting.”
“Who are all the people cleaning up her house?”
“That ones’ my buddy, she’s our neighbor, I’m not sure who those ones are.”
Mark Mabry/Mercury Radio Arts
His response was typical. The man still couldn’t find his cat of 16 years, but was not losing hope, noting that he had put her picture on Facebook and that there were reports of a news station that found a gray cat.
After breakfast the streets got a little crowded so I headed out of town. About a mile from the center of Henryville is a street called Otisco. Driving east on Otisco, I observed the snapped trees that betrayed the angle of the tornado’s approach as it neared the highway. After about a mile, the tornado had met the highway at a young family’s house.
Mark Mabry/Mercury Radio Arts
Matt, and about 15 hunting buddies, friends, and neighbors, were moving lumber and picking for family heirlooms in a rubble pile that was created when the house left it’s foundation and smashed into the family barn. Matt’s wife got to their basement with their 8 month old child about 10 minutes before their house flew away. His two older children, 5 and 6 years old, were ushered off the school bus by a vigilant driver about 30 seconds before the bus flew 200 yards across a street and into a building. The next day the bus driver came to visit Matt’s house, in tears, checking on the family. Matt offered me a drink and told me how blessed the family had been over the last 3 days.
It was that theme that occurred over and over. Gratitude.
Mark Mabry/Mercury Radio Arts
Last week I was in Greece, walking the marble streets of Athens. I spoke with people and observed things generally. Greece was still standing in comparison. But the big difference was that in Greece the buildings were nice and the people seemed dead. In Henryville, the buildings were ravaged, but the people were alive. The hugs and smiles were not hugs of sympathy or feigned hope, but of love. The brotherly kind.
At a church called Mt. Moriah, where Colonel Sanders prayed as a child, there was little crowd digging for “a bookshelf full of treasures.” A youth pastor named Matt gave me a half hug and told me about how blessed they had been. Then about a church sister down the street who lost her legs, but was still alive. They gave me a burger and walked me around.
Mark Mabry/Mercury Radio Arts
“Whose that?” I asked repeatedly.
“I’m not sure,” was his usual answer.
People just kept showing up from hours away. A landscaper brought tractors, chainsaws, and crew — everything but an invoice.
Mark Mabry/Mercury Radio Arts
Dell, the self-proclaimed best burger maker in the country, towed up his smoker with about 600 burgers and dogs. The sheriffs deputies were doing the same thing about a stones throw away.
Mark Mabry/Mercury Radio Arts
All of the smiles and interaction assured me that no Pulitzer would be granted for gripping photographs of a devastated people.
The sentiment was that if this is a curse, we could all do with a little cursing.
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Comments (102)
jungle J
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 10:31amwatch how real Americans handle tragedy.
Report Post »PlowMan
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 11:53amYour right! This is how it’s done over and over in this part of the country. No complaining, just hard work and dedication! I love this part of our country! Wonder what’s different? Could it be God fearing people?
Report Post »MDDAWG
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 12:24pmMark Mabry, who shot these photos is awesome. Mark also created pictures called “Reflections of Christ.” See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oteno81QzzQ
Report Post »The pictures are very inspiring and reflects his wholeattitude about love, service and Christ.
kender85
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 12:35pmI live down the road from Henryville, and I am proud of this area. The first thing that happened after the tornado came through was the phone calls to relatives and friends to see if they were alright and what did they need. People on Facebook and through the church started posting to see what could be done. Some acted on their own and went to the site. One friend brought his Grill and with hamburgers and hot dogs so he could provide a meal to the people affected. Others started collections up of money and clothing. The churches started the organizing of resources.
It may be a dark time here, but the light from the many people will light the way out.
Report Post »Ray2447
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 1:14pmIf this had happened where I live (Los Angeles), the neighbors would be showing up too – - – to loot. :-/ The Obama bumper stickers on the cars tell you the kind of people who live in L.A.
Report Post »dontbotherme
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 11:02pm@MDDAWG: Thank you for sharing. Beautiful.
Report Post »teddyc73
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 10:30amIt’s interesting. I just read a story on The Blaze about SEIU and their attempts to destroy the capitalist system of America, which would be an attack on the very essence of our nation, and it filled me with anger and sadness over what these people are doing to our great nation. Then I read a story like this. It’s interesting that the story about a terrible natural disaster, where people have lost lives, where entire towns where destroyed, is the story that gives me hope and encouragement that we are still a great nation and there are still good, hard working people in this country willing to help out their neighbors. Hopefully there are enough to drown out the likes of SEIU.
Report Post »Docrow
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 2:07pmI hope so as well.
Report Post »PATRIOTMAMA
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 10:27amWhen true Americans are put on the mat they show their true colors and come up swingin!!! God bless these people and I’m so blessed to be counted as countrywoman to these fine Americans and sister in Christ. We sat around my kitchen island Saturday morning and prayed that God would send a wave of love to help the people affected by these storms that my family was spared. We woke up to reports of entire towns being wiped off the map and we had some danger the night before ourselves but my children learned that this is something else that Americans do for each other. We pray. To all loving and all knowing merciful living God that works ALL things (even these things) together for the good of those that love Him. God Bless these people and help them recover. Give them comfort and show them your love through all the people that come to help in this time of need without even having to be asked. Will be going to Mercury One to see if there is anything we can do to help from here. God Bless America and the good people that make her the country she is.
Report Post »Virginia Joe
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 10:26amIf this tragedy happened in a Democrat Utopia such a Washington, DC, you’d see a bunch of people sitting on their butts moaning for Federal Aid – like in New Orleans! These people deserve any assistance, we as a country can provide.
Report Post »dr pepper
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 7:59pmHaving experienced Katrina, I can completely understand peoples misgivings towards the city of New Orleans. There are many correlations between the two tragedies, such as the utter destruction of entire areas. Here’s where the similarities bifurcate; the hours after the tornados ended people were able to begin the process of cleaning, clearing and salvaging their personnal property. It was this time after Katrina when the majority of the destruction took place, as the levees broke in 4 places swamping the majority of the city in 8-12 feet of water and nowhere for it to go. Then came hurricane Rita which skirted the Louisiana coast, but dumped another several inches of water into the fish bowl.
Report Post »It took approximately four weeks to pump the water out of the flooded areas. All the while the only people allowed to enter the region were residents returning, National Guardsmen and vehicles bringing in necessary supplies (fuel and food stuffs). The people making the news were there because they believed help would be readily available and if the levees had not given way it would not have been needed in N.O., but mother nature had different ideas.
Imaging searching for victims with boats and cutting thru roofs to gain access to the attics where the bodies had floated up to. Or searching the houses after the water receded to find the bodies several weeks old.
May God Bless the peoples who were involved and grant them peace of mind and comfort for their losses.
SageInWaiting
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 10:25amAAAAAAAAAHhhhhhhhhhhh! THAT’S ONLY FLY OVER COUNTRY; the dolts who cling to their Bibles and guns….
The echos in the hallways on the east and left coasts is deafening.
Will there be the same expressions on faces if disaster hits NYC or SanFran? Will neighbors gather to help clean and restore or loot? We’re seeing two Americas emerge, with VASTLY different morals, goals, and “heart.”
Report Post »VRW Conspirator
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 11:57amDON’T GO THERE…HOW DARE YOU GO THERE….remember 9-11-01.. We were all from NYC for those next months…We all wanted to go or give or do something… and it was the residents of NYC that hit the ground even before the fires were out and the dust had settled trying to find people that were still alive….
in San Fran when the earthquake hit during the World Series, 1987 I believe, the 880 freeway pancaked trapping and killing hundreds…the same thing happened, even in liberal CA…we all wanted to go, we all wanted to give….
don’t write off a city or even a state simply because the government of that city or state are socialist, statists, liberal progressives or even conservatives….WE THE PEOPLE are the city, the state, and sadly ultimately the government….the American PEOPLE will ALWAYS respond in this way regardless of the bent of the “leaders” in the area…
that is what Mercury One is about…that is what Restoring Love is about…that is what will SAVE this country…NOT an election…NOT a new President or Congress…NOT talking points in a debate…. WE THE PEOPLE!
Report Post »Stand for Truth
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 12:03pmI live 10 miles from Henryville! You better believe we cling to our Bibles. May God Bless everyone that lost loved ones and their homes. God Bless those that are misguided and are speaking ill will of those that are suffering right now. I pray that Heavenly Father will touch your hearts and you will someday see the truth!
Report Post »safewrite
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 2:57pmI am a transplant to the South from the NYC area and I was in NYC for 9/1and other disasters like massive power failures. I was proud to be a New Yorker when I saw people banding together. The aftermath of 9/11 was a love-your-neighbor-fest where crusty New Yorkers banded together to help. It was amazing to watch and be a part of. Same thing for the blackout a couple of years later: construction workers with vests directed traffic at major intersections since the police could obviously not handle all the dark traffic lights in NYC.
Oddly enough I think the less people trust the government to live up to its promises, the more we will rely on each other.
Report Post »brentbach
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 10:22amThese folks will be planting corn and soybeans in a month, God Bless Them!
Report Post »kettererbg
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 10:04amThere are still Americans that care about each other. Unfortunately, they are not at the Capitol.
Report Post »cemerius
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 10:01amAmerica still exists and good will to our neighbors in bucket loads……..no matter how much the Liberal/Progressive/Socialists rant and rave our American Heartland beats with warm American blood….God Bless America
Report Post »FaceSupplements
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 9:31amThe outpouring of support from the local communities here in Southern Indiana has been amazing, and heart warming. I live about 7 miles from Henryville, and people are coming from all over to help. I have posted this in another article, but there have been so many donations that they Red Cross is now asking for storage bins instead of food and clothes.
They will rebuild, and it will be without the federal government helping.
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 9:29am.
Report Post »Where’s Obama?……..
Hickory
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 9:42amWe don’t need Obama. It’s best he leaves us alone.
Report Post »Mark0331
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 10:39amBarry is Shucking and Jiving somewhere trying to drum up votes…when the outcry is loud enough he will show, with his sleeves rolled up and the cameras rolling.
Report Post »ADNIL
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 11:25amHe’ll show up at the right time for a photo-op. You can be sure.
Report Post »Immiceelf
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 1:17pmCheck the golf coarse.
Report Post »HoosierHunter
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 8:25pmIt’s too cold here, for him to show up. It’s supposed to be around 60 by mid-week…. watch for him then. Ps… Thanks for everyone’s prayers!
Report Post »ConservativeHippie
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 9:22amWest Liberty here in Kentucky was hit twice in 3 days by tornadoes. The one on Friday destroyed the entire downtown area. There really is nothing left. It is in Morgan County.
The link shows the aerial views of several of the hardest hit counties here.
http://www.wkyt.com/home/headlines/27_Skyfirst_A_view_of_the_damage_from_the_air_141316833.html
What is really amazing is how the people of this state come together and help one another. When I read stuff from people who say they would never live in this area or that we are silly for still believing in God and for praying, I say we are pretty happy you don’t live here either. I moved from Michigan over 25 years ago to this state and it was because of the kind and loving folks who are here. Proud to say I am a Kentuckian by adoption. :)
Report Post »TEXASGRANNY73
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 9:19amGood pictures Mark and good report as well Blaze. Please would you post more info as to how to help with contributions for families of those to be buried. Thank you.
Report Post »NHwinter
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 9:29amThe true heart and soul of America! Gratitude for life. This is truly an inspiring story and photographs. If only OWS would have the same attitude. Wake up Obama, this is the real America. We love our fellow man, woman, and child.
Report Post »DIVINEPROVIDENCE1776
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 9:17am“Last week I was in Greece, walking the marble streets of Athens. I spoke with people and observed things generally. Greece was still standing in comparison. But the big difference was that in Greece the buildings were nice and the people seemed dead. In Henryville, the buildings were ravaged, but the people were alive. The hugs and smiles were not hugs of sympathy or feigned hope, but of love. The brotherly kind.”
That say’s it all. We are Americans! America is great because America is good! In hard times and good times we come together. Thank you for this story of hope blaze. God bless America and the American people!
Report Post »Ivehadenoughtofthisgovenmentcrap
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 9:38pmAmen !!!!!
Report Post »momrules
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 9:17amThese are the kind of people who will not sit on their hands waiting for FEMA. They will stand up and stand together and they will survive.
God bless theem.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 9:28amSame thing happened in the floods of Tennessee .. at least they had country music stars to get the nations attention for some funds to help .. I read here that the Red Cross has left some of the areas .. would like to know how to help them DIRECTLY without giving it to someone who will funnel the money elsewhere.
Report Post »dinadp
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 9:15amPrayers to the people. BTW, what happened to Glenn’s photographer George?
Report Post »shotzie
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 9:02amI‘ve watched all the news and pics and video’s of the tornado’s. they have made me go “Oh my goodness”, offer up prayers, but not cry – even when the little town of Murphy, NC was hit, which I dearly love, did I cry. This report made me cry. Not because it was depressing or sad, but because it was uplifting and joyful. Because it reinforced what I KNOW to be true in my heart of hearts. That despite the OWS and politics and seeming ripping apart at the seems of the USA we hold dear – it still exists. It exists in the Henryville‘s and the Marysville’s and Murphy’s that lie off the main road. It still exists in a people who help others selflessly. They are disasters no doubt, but they are also hope. Seeing the kindness of strangers brings hope – and that kind of hope DOES bring change.
Report Post »shotzie
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 9:17amBy the way, in Murphy, less than 48 hours after the F2 hit, causing major damage to the small downtown district, the Red Cross has closed up shop and left – their comment – “We just realized we were not needed, the community was taking care of their own just fine”. And this is a town hit very hard by the economy. The people helping barely have anything themselves. Murphy has not even made it onto any of the news channels, not that they care. Their neighbors and the neighbors of other small surrounding communities have taken care of them. The First Baptist Church that was not hit has been the “central” location for volunteers, serving between 1,000-1,500 meals a day since Saturday morning, all volunteer help and food and will continue to do so. Mind you most of the people who lost homes and businesses there probably did not have insurance because of the economy, but their town will help them. Hope to see more from Mark Mabry at the Blaze, excellent photo’s and reporting, thank you.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 9:02amI know this is an incredible story of loss and destruction and soon to be rebuilding and hope … I don’t want to take away from that .. but I gave THE BLAZE this tip last night and it still isn’t posted …
The Vetting, Part I: Barack’s Love Song To Alinsky
http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2012/03/04/obama-alinsky-love-song
My God .. Andrew Breitbart was exposing and fighting for us all … he deserves to be HEARD!
Please go to the link and read about this … and post and share this everywhere!
Report Post »momrules
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 9:14amCATB………..I read this last night. It is a must read. I go to Breitbart.com , Atlasshrugs.com and JeruselemPost.com every morning to get news and then I come to the Blaze.
Report Post »I wonder now, more than ever, if Andrew died of natural causes. Will we ever know the truth?
CatB
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 9:23am@MOMRULES … can‘t for the life of me understand why this wasn’t a big headline on this site … Andrew Breitbart either worked himself into an early grave or someone helped him into it .. either way he needs to be heard and Americans deserve the TRUTH about Obama.
Report Post »marthasusan40
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 9:25amPretty amazing link, I posted this story on my FB page…it will be interesting to see the comments I get. thanks for posting.
Report Post »Drum Man
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 9:00amThat is the cool thing about the rural midwest. Everyone helps everyone and FEMA can stay home.
Report Post »LoisLane1951
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 8:57amHey, that’s how we roll in flyover country.
Report Post »cjherin
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 8:55amMy father was born in southern Indiana. Such terrible devastation. I gave $25 to Mercury One last night to help. Pray for these people.
Report Post »piper60
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 8:54amWhat a great story. Perhaps Mercury Ink could publish a collection of these photos. Especially if there would be photos of the aftermath of the Kansas town that was devastated a few days before.
Report Post »AmericanStrega
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 12:43pmI live in Northeast Kansas and even the Topeka news shows didn’t have anything about it (that I saw). If you notice, Kansas doesn‘t exist unless it’s Kansas City. Even on The Weather Channel, they never talk about anything in Kansas unless it’s Kansas City. Now, I‘m not really complaining since us rural Kansas folk don’t want a bunch of big city leftist folk moving in here, but a mention would be nice once in awhile. :)
Report Post »tajloc
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 8:53amWe don‘t need no stinkin’ handouts. Just freakin’ get outta da way. Here come de church (not de judge). Incrementalism is the biggest disaster we have to face. Paul or Santo in 2012. Rom 8:28
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 8:52amEveryone is there but the POTUS. I guess it‘s not considered a disaster if it’s only white folks.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 9:05amYou got that right GONZO …. and the MSM will give him a pass once again. BTW you might be interested in this .. THE BLAZE doesn’t seem to be …..
The Vetting, Part I: Barack’s Love Song To Alinsky
http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2012/03/04/obama-alinsky-love-song
It was posted 16 hours ago .. and I sent The Blaze a tip last night …
Report Post »thegreatcarnac
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 2:09pmThat is right. If this had happened in New Orleans (again) and hundreds of blacks would be sitting on the road saying….“hep us”…..obama would be there.
Report Post »kentuckypatriot
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 8:50amReading stories like these, as in Joplin, give me hope. I pray when SHTF, we will see more of neighbor helping neighbor.
Report Post »mapgirl10
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 8:50amOMG these poor people. This is a dangerous time for our mid-west.
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