By Neija Petithomme
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ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — The deadly tornado that struck Greenfield, Iowa on Tuesday, May 21, devastated the area, but recovering from the damage will involve not just homes and businesses, but also an emotional rebuild.
News 13 spoke with Frank Chapman, Disaster Spiritual Care Supervisor for the American Red Cross, on the morning of Saturday, May 25, before he left Asheville Regional Airport for Iowa, where an EF4 tornado left five people dead and injured many.
Chapman plans to take time to volunteer with the American Red Cross, offering spiritual guidance and helping people cope with the trauma, grief and overwhelming emotions in the aftermath of the tornado.
“These people have been through the most horrific experiences of their lives,” Chapman said Saturday. “Some have lost loved ones. We’re just here to help them get through it, to build their resilience. A lot of times, most survivors, and sometimes even Red Cross workers, don’t understand what spiritual care actually does. We’re not here to deliver faith.”
Chapman said he and other members will be in Iowa for the next two to three weeks as they focus on being a source of comfort and guidance to others.
“We listen more than we talk. Sometimes we go where people need to be. We don’t often ask what happened because that can cause secondary injury, re-trauma,” Chapman explained. “Some people want to talk about what happened, but some people aren’t ready to talk yet. In some situations, we just sit there and listen.”
Chapman added that these traumatic moments often affect volunteers as well, and for him, journaling and writing helps them cope.
“We look out for each other. I keep a journal, and that helps. Other people are dealing with trauma. When you hear stories like this every day, it really gives you an idea of the transference of trauma,” he said.
Chapman hopes that during his time in Iowa he can help restore hope to those who need it most.
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