MONETTE, Ark. — Saturday morning brought light to the devastation at the Monette Manor Nursing Home in Monette, Arkansas. One person is dead and several are injured after a tornado ripped through the home.
Sixty-five residents along with the staff were inside the building leading up to the storm.
The Arkansas Health Care Association said all residents are at other nursing homes in the area and some are temporarily staying with family.
The tornado caused most of the building to crumble and collapse.
Jordan Wood with the Monette Fire Department was one of the first responders who helped the residents trapped under the partially collapsed roof.
"It was probably one of the worst things I've ever experienced in my life," Wood said.
Wood, along with other first responders, had to rescue people moments before and after the storm hit. Many had to be carried out one by one.
"That was a rough one when you have elderly people probably 90% immobile trying their best to get out of the nursing home and they can't," Wood said. "They're helpless. They're stuck."
In the common area, where residents used to spend time together, insulation hung from the ceiling and debris covered the floor. Hallways leading to residents' rooms were flooded and blocked with displaced furniture and belongings.
However, Monette first responders likely prevented a much worse situation for residents.
"The sirens went off in ample time to warn everybody so everybody had warning long before the tornado hit," Wood said.
Wood is grateful for his training and the opportunity to help his hometown.
"In the area that we live in is tornado alley and you know that it can happen at any moment, but you always hope that it misses your towns and your loved ones," Wood said.