Ohatchee man remembers mother and grandparents killed during tornado
OHATCHEE, Ala. — The Calhoun County community is mourning the loss of five people that died during Thursday's EF-2 tornado.
The National Weather Service confirmed the tornado strength on Friday.
The tornado destroyed homes around the county.
Domonique Thomas lost his mother and grandparents.
SEE ALSO: Five dead after tornado in Calhoun County, three from one family
"They were the best supporters anyone could ask for,'" Thomas said. "Anything I needed they would support me no matter what it is, football, life, anything."
Thomas' family lived in the Grayton Road South neighborhood in Ohatchee.
Despite the devastation and personal loss all around him, Thomas planned to play with his college football team in a game Friday.
He's a student-athlete at Union College in Kentucky.
He also played football at Ohatchee High School.
He wanted to do so in honor of his mother.
SEE ALSO: Pelham neighborhoods begin cleanup from Thursday's tornado
"She would want me to be strong and I chose to play to dedicate this game to her and my grandparents," Thomas said.
His younger sister is a 7th grader at Ohatchee High School.
She was injured in the storm.
She underwent surgery for a fractured vertebrae on Friday.
The Ohatchee community has offered much support to the family.
"It's a hashtag going around on social media," Bobby Tittle, Principal of Ohatchee High School said. "You know, #OneTribe and that's what we are. That's what this community does. They come together to love each other and support each other."
Thomas knows he has memories to hold on to as he makes a new life without his loved ones.
"I would not be who I am. I would not have the character that I have without all of them. They all had a part in raising me," Thomas said. "They all had a part in developing the man that I am now. I want to thank them with all my heart. Everything that I do for the rest of my life will be dedicate to them."
The Calhoun County coroner confirmed two other deaths in Calhoun County.
A 71-year-old man who's birthday who have been Saturday and a 71-year-old who died in the Wellington area.
Both died in mobile homes.
