Neighbors helping neighbors: In Hale County, storm damage cleanup comes quick

Thomas Averette, owner of T&M Mobile Home Movers, had a tornado rip through his own home March 25, 2021, destroying his home, shop, office and barn. Just shy of a year later, he’s helping his neighbors who met the same fate on Tuesday.

Averette said doing what needs doing is what he’s here for. On Wednesday, he and his team were out all day, removing trees and debris from a neighbor’s home.

“We’ve always volunteered to help people,” Averette said. “We were raised that way.  The more you give, the more you get back. It’s the way we look at things.”

The National Weather Service determined Wednesday that Tuesday night’s storm in parts of Hale County was straight-line winds, not a tornado.

Hale County Emergency Management Agency reported around 30 homes and three businesses were damaged in that storm, but no one was injured.