SANTIAGO HERNENDEZ PEREZ
A Family's Resilience in the Face of Destruction
Frightened for their lives as the winds tore shingles from the roof, Santiago Hernandez Pastor, his wife Loida, and their children huddled together in the bathroom. Santiago recalls they had never experienced anything like the tornado that struck in December 2021. Their oldest child suggested they pray together. Thankfully, none of them were injured, but they lost power, and the roof was so severely damaged that rain poured into the house, destroying many of their belongings.
Like Santiago’s home, many of his neighbors’ homes were also damaged. Similar to his situation, the tornado ripped off shingles, rainwater ruined possessions, and power outages left families without electricity. Santiago explained that they were unable to receive assistance from FEMA or the American Red Cross. These agencies were prioritizing families with greater needs, leaving his family without assistance.
Santiago and his family temporarily relocated to an Airbnb until their power was restored. When they returned home, volunteers were there to help cover the roof with tarps, but the damage was extensive, rendering the house almost uninhabitable. The family continued to face additional difficulties. With much of the city in ruins, finding supplies and contractors to repair their home was nearly impossible. However, they learned about the Mayfield Graves Long-Term Recovery Group (MGC LTRG), and Santiago and Loida submitted an online request for assistance.
After being screened for disaster related needs, the family was assigned a case manager with the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference of the United Methodist Church (TWKUMC). From there, the family was connected with an MGC LTRG building Partner, the Appalachian Service Project (ASP), which made plans to build them a new home, after the damages had been deemed too extensive to repair. Their case manager also helped them secure temporary housing at Camp Graves while the new house was being constructed.
Although grateful for the temporary housing with Camp Graves and the prospect of a new home through ASP, Santiago explained that living in a tiny house far from home has been one of the biggest challenges of their recovery journey. “We are trying to be patient while waiting for the house to be finished. We’re navigating the emotional toll, but knowing the house will be done soon gives us hope,” said Santiago. He adds that they still fear the possibility of future disasters but are trying to remain hopeful that things will improve rather than worsen.
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When asked what helped his family endure the toughest moments, Santiago responded, “We held each other up and supported one another. We’re grateful to the people and organizations who have helped us recover.”
Santiago offers advice to others who may face similar challenges: “Stay informed when storms or other disasters are possible. Seek shelter. Take advantage of community resources. We never thought this could happen to us, but it did. It can happen to anyone. It’s crucial to stay aware and seek out the information necessary to stay safe.”
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