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After a tornado ravaged Cooke County, the same storm moved towards Celina, bringing with it a powerful EF-3 tornado, according to the National Weather Service.
Terry and Jenn Sharber were directly in the tornado’s path. Remarkably, their home was previously destroyed 19 years ago during Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana. Now, they faced devastation once more.
“I don’t know if I have the strength to do this again,” said Jenn Sharber, reflecting on the repeated loss.
On that Saturday night, the Sharbers were at home with their family, surrounded by baby gifts from a shower earlier that day for their three-week-old grandson.
“Our daughter and her friend were sitting on this couch when we came in and said we have to go,” Jenn recalled.
They rushed to their storm cellar, and Terry ran to alert his neighbors. He helped a couple in their 70s into their storm cellar and woke up more neighbors who then took cover in the center of their home.
Terry eventually returned to his own cellar.
“Our ears popped, and we knew something was about to happen,” he said.
Seconds later, the tornado tore through, destroying their dream home and crushing their neighbors’ house. Terry said their neighbors had to be pulled from the rubble but fortunately survived.
“It was terrifying. I’ve never experienced anything like it,” Terry Sharber admitted.
The aftermath was evident: a bent flagpole, a window ripped from its frame, and the roof blown off their bedroom all attested to the tornado’s strength.
“It’s scary to think of all the possibilities,” Terry remarked.
Despite losing everything, the Sharbers received a heartwarming surprise on Wednesday. A stranger found a baby picture of their youngest daughter miles away in Weston. The photo, shared online, was identified as their daughter Grace.
“That picture is a precious memory. She was about that age when Hurricane Katrina struck,” said Jenn.
“It’s incredible that this picture survived both Katrina and this tornado and still found its way back to us,” Terry added.
The Sharbers are determined to rebuild once again. They have set up an online fundraiser to help replace their lost belongings and rebuild their home.