When the local television stations began warning of an impending tornado, I never would have dreamed that the whirlwind would not only hit my hometown, but that it would also rip through the street I once called home.

Although I live in Holly now, my mother and step-father still hail from Fenton. When my mother married my step-dad in 1992, we moved in temporarily with my step-dad’s grandfather on East Ellen Street in Fenton. We eventually moved to another part of Fenton, but three years later moved back to that home after the death of my great-grandfather. Our family remained there for more than ten years before my parents moved down the road to nearby condominiums.

What I love most about Fenton is its natural beauty — especially the wonderful foliage that grows along the sidewalks and around the Fenton millpond, which borders the Shiawassee River. In the backyard of our East Ellen Street home were some very beautiful maple and pine trees. The largest of those was a maple that turned golden in the fall and stood firmly planted in the center of the backyard, spreading its protective limbs and leaves over our property. The storm chose to destroy that tree, along with 90 percent of our old backyard.

When the storm came last Friday, I thought it would die out long before it hit Fenton. In all my years of living there, Fenton rarely experienced any real natural threat. When schools around the county were closing because of snow, Fenton schools stayed open because the snow and ice seemed not as severe in Fenton.

Even in Holly, where the storm had raged as well, its destructive path was nothing like the torrent that ripped through Fenton and along my cherished childhood home.

The first opportunity I had to see the aftermath, I could feel the tears welling up inside. How that tornado tore at Fenton, carving up her land with scars that will not fade for many years to come.
Even as I wiped away tears, I had to rejoice at the sight of so many homes still standing, with little or no damage done to them. Even my old home still stood, despite the devastation in the backyard. I praised God for that.

I’ve heard about emergency rescue personnel, including the Grand Blanc Township and Burton police, sending officers to help those in need. I rejoice at the stories of volunteers who have assisted those affected by this storm.

I especially love the stories of neighbors helping one another and people working together to rebuild Fenton — it gladdens my heart just to know that goodness still reigns on this earth.

For those of us who want to help and don’t know how, the most important thing is to stay out of the way along the hardest hit portions of Fenton, which are mostly East Ellen Street and Howard Street. Fenton City Manager Mike Senyko said all the roads should be at least partially open right now. Adelaide and Leroy streets are the only main roads still encountering some road blocks, and the Owen Road area is open for business.

Senyko said the city has received an abundance of donations and is grateful to those who have dedicated time and money. However, if people want to volunteer, Senyko asks that they help by assisting clean up public land. Call the City of Fenton at 810-629-2261 to help.

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