Friday was a memorable day for many Arkansans, some of which lost loved ones in the tornados that ripped through the state. We saw our own devastation locally as houses and businesses in Etowah were completely destroyed. Earle also suffered substantial damage.

I was in Marked Tree Friday afternoon when the storm that produced the tornado that hit Etowah came through. The tornado sirens sounded, and I found myself out in the street with everyone from the mayor to the local beauticians. We all stood staring at the sky of swirling, black clouds. Of course, reason says we should have been taking cover, but we were all captivated by the storm.

Our Lepanto reporter, Marissa Holiman, captured some shots of the tornado on the ground outside of Lepanto, and she later followed up with pictures of the damage in Lepanto's outlying areas.

After work Friday my husband Josh and I went to a friend's house to relax after what was a potentially dangerous day. I thought the events of the day were over with the storms safely out of our area. I was wrong.

My mom called me shortly after 7 p.m. and I could tell by her voice something was very wrong. She and my dad had just survived a tornado in my hometown of Lake Village. After seeing the warning on television, my parents went outside to look at the sky. That's when mom heard what she said really did sound like a freight train.

They got into my dad's truck and sped down the highway. Mom said it was like something from the movie "Twister" as dad drove nearly 100 mph trying to escape the tornado.

Finally the storm dissipated and they were able to return home. Much to their surprise and relief, the house had been spared. The storm hit about 100 yards from the house. It picked up a shed, wrapped it around a tree and then uprooted the huge old tree along with several other trees including one my dad and I planted when I was a baby.

My parents were shaken up, but otherwise safe. I am so very glad they weren't hurt and that the house was safe.

The whole experience makes you realize how little control we really have on most of the things in this world. I suppose that's where prayer comes in.