Athena, the tortoiseshell cat, was a harbinger of hope, a small miracle survivor after a lethal twister ripped by way of Mississippi. Athena’s identify comes from the Greek goddess identified for knowledge, braveness, inspiration, and because the protectress of cities. After the pure catastrophe left town of Rolling Fork reeling, taking 13 lives, Athena brought smiles and much-needed aid.
The twister was extremely rare and long-lasting, leaving a lot of the metropolis gone after arriving on a Friday evening in late March 2023. It continued for over an hour, overlaying 170 miles by way of two states.
Tornado Arrives Like a Freight Train in Rolling Fork
Amid a lot devastation, in some way Athena was alive, standing within the wreckage of Mason Long’s former dream home. It was 16 hours after Mason had lived by way of a nightmare whereas speaking to his father, Marty, on the cellphone. Suddenly, the sound of a freight prepare arrived and there was little time to behave.
Mason, 24, miraculously survived after a lot of the home was blown aside in ten seconds. He believed the twister will need to have taken Athena, too.
“I’m OK, dad,” mentioned Mason, “but everything’s gone. My house, my belongings, even my cat,” he instructed his father.
Mason and Marty Long. Images through Facebook/Rick Karle WVTM13
Father and son reunited and spent the evening attempting to assist their neighbors buried within the rubble. Adrenaline working excessive, Mason in some way lifted a brick wall off a senior neighbor, reported WVTM13.
Athena Appears at Sunrise
Dawn arrived after what will need to have been among the many worst nights of a lifetime. But Mason had miraculously survived a devastating truck wreck months prior. Once once more, he got here by way of unimaginable devastation and heroically saved others regardless of his accidents.
As the solar arrived, a transparent sky revealed the complete extent of the twister’s merciless path. Somehow, Athena was ready there in what remained of Mason Long’s former dream home. Mason wept, holding her as she purred in his arms.
“Sixteen hours earlier, the sound of the freight train had left. At noon on Saturday, the sound of life had arrived. Athena purred while Mason wept. It was a hug that seemingly never ended,” wrote Rick Karle.
Amid a lot tragedy, Athena’s reunion provided some hope to the broader group too!
“Marty Long said his son, Mason, lost everything in the Rolling Fork, Mississippi tornado on Friday. They went back to see his cat sitting on the pile that used to be his house waiting on him. 🙏❤️” shared Meteorologist Kaitlin Wright.
Four months later, efforts to rebuild Rolling Fork and assist a whole lot of still-displaced residents are ongoing.
Video through Facebook/WCCB that includes Meteorologist Kaitlin Wright:
