Family survives direct hit from EF-2 tornado

VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB/Gray News) - A community in Georgia is cleaning up after at least one tornado hit several neighborhoods on Sunday.

“It’s crazy because the sky looked like it does now and I never thought that’s what was coming,” Jon Kincella, a tornado survivor, said.

On Feb. 5, Lowndes County was hit by an EF-2 tornado that destroyed multiple structures and mobile homes, according to the National Weather Service.

Kincella says he was grilling steaks while his mom yelled for him to get in the bathroom when he heard a loud train sound.

“I ran into the bathroom, did what I could to protect my mom, got my dog in there then something hit me in the head and knocked me out. Within a couple of minutes, I came back to, and here we are,” Kincella said.

The two were taken to a hospital for a few injuries. Kincella ended up having a broken shoulder blade, while his mother has a broken femur.

Kincella walked WALB through what used to be a part of the deck where he was grilling and recalled the moment that he felt the house lifting up.

“It was catastrophic, I’m going to remember this for the rest of my life. It was very traumatic,” Kincella said.

Brian Williams, Kincella’s uncle, was at the hospital at the time. He watched the news of the tornado on WALB and was relieved to find out his family was safe.

“It’s shocking…it’s a lot to take in but I’m just happy that everyone is alive because it could be a lot worse,” Williams said.

Following the storm, Southern RV and Truck Center owners J.J. Hesters and Thomas Stewart, offered to help families who lost their homes by providing them with an RV to live on their property or at a campground until their new home is complete.

“It was a pretty simple decision between J.J. and WALB when we spoke about how we could help. We thought it would be a great way to help somebody,” Stewart said.

“If we can do something small to help somebody, the advantage to staying in one of our units is that they can stay close to their property and watch the construction,” Hesters said.



Adam’s Attic has provided the necessary bedding and furniture for the family’s temporary RV. The community can donate clothing and supplies for families by dropping them off at Southern RV & Trucks.