SULLIVAN, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Walking through the Sullivan neighborhoods affected by Friday’s deadly storms is honestly hard to put into words.

Residents are still picking through the wreckage of their homes. I was welcomed into a damaged home and heard the couple’s story of survival; like many others, they huddled into the bathroom as the tornado passed through.

The Indiana State University football team chose to forego spring practice Monday morning to travel the 30 miles south to Sullivan and help out. The players were grouped at several homes, helping saw through fallen trees and carry away large debris.

The Salvation Army had a canteen set up to hand out water, Gatorade, food items and more to other volunteers. I was touched by their gratitude to others helping out as they themselves dedicated hours and hours to the cause.

If you close your eyes when in that south Sullivan neighborhood, you’ll hear so many sounds: chainsaws buzzing, forklifts shifting debris, volunteers instructing each other. It’s a tragic yet beautiful symphony of sound as hundreds of people join together to help with recovery efforts.

The road ahead is long for Sullivan County, just as it is for Crawford County, Illinois, but the support will undoubtedly be there every step of the way.