Late night February 5, following the tornado, the first thing that many people did was to pick up the telephone and call close friends and family members.

What a blessing just to hear their voice, as many had survived the devastating tornado. Many areas did not lose service, and others had it sporatically. North Central Telephone Cooperative worked quickly to restore communications to as many people as possible.

“The ‘94 storm ice storm was bad, said Ronnie Wilburn, Vice President for Plant Operations, adding, “now we (NCTC) have TV, telephones, DSL, Internet and much more.”

Fourteen special lines were hooked up for FEMA and TEMA. Even at the hard hit Williams Road temporary trailers were set up quickly to help re-establish service.

“I'd like to plug the Lafayette City Police Department and the Macon County Sheriff's Department for assisting us in getting the areas we need in,” said Wilburn. Because of the severity of the situation there was much traffic in areas NCTC workers needed to get into.

The local telephone coop was fortunate to have compassionate and neighboring phone service companies that came to assist in the restoration effort.

West Kentucky Rural from Mayfield Kentucky quickly provided help, along with Ben Lomand Telephone Co-op from McMinville, Twin Lakes Telephone Co-op of Gainesboro and Red Stag Contractors from Baxter Tennessee. Many other companies also offered their assistance.

“Heartbreaking,” Wilburn described the landscape following the tornado.

North Central is thankful for all the people and their assistance, no matter the role. Many companies and family and friends provided food and funds in the tornadoes' aftermath.

North Central Telephone Cooperative sends healing wishes to all those affected by the devastation that fell on the county Tuesday night, February 5, 2008

More photos of storm damage and NCTC employees at work can be seen at www.nctc.com.