By MIKE SIMONS Staff Photographer on Apr 18, 2013, at 4:45 PM Updated on 4/18 at 6:34 PM
Bub Burton,9,(left), Dakota Burton,6, Bentley Burton,2, Harlie Burton,5, Alexis Burton,10, and Trey Burton,4, sit in the back of their damaged SUV in front of their home in Spavinaw, Ok. April 18, 2013. They were both damaged when a storm hit the town. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
In my career as a photojournalist, I have driven to many small towns to cover a tornado or storm damage. The sight as I arrive always amazes me. Driving into Spavinaw, Ok. this morning after storms damaged the town last night, was no different.
Storms rip through Spavinaw, Ok. from
Tulsa World on
Vimeo.
It would be easy to just walk around and take photos of the damage, and sometimes I catch myself doing just that. But, my job is not to just show damage. It is to show the people it has affected.
When I saw the Burton children huddled in their car watch the cleanup take place around them I was just stunned by the visual. It was also incredibly moving when Mike Dollard was hugged by his girlfriend Candi Wear in the yard of their home that had a mobile home land on it. I appreciate the people of Spavinaw for letting me take photos in their time of need and I hope the photos can bring some kind of comfort or help.
Candi Wear(left) is comforted by her boyfriend Mike Dollard in Spavinaw, Ok. April 18, 2013. A mobile home landed on top of their house when a storm. Mike SIMONS/Tulsa World
Destiny Vasquez,14, stands on her front porch among storm damage in Spavinaw, Ok. April 18, 2013. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Volunteers Kevin Pearce(left), Zack Hudson and Jessica Pearce work to clear debris from a storm in Spavinaw, Ok. April 18, 2013. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
