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News March 19, 2025

The Aftermath: Promo Pros Share Stories of Hope, Community After Deadly Storms Sweep Through

Tornadoes, punishing rain and wind, dust storms and wildfires prompted nearly 1,500 storm reports March 14 to 16 and, tragically, killed at least 42 people. Promo pros in some affected communities here discuss the impacts.

By  Christopher Ruvo

Key Takeaways

• Tragic Storms: More than 40 people reportedly died in violent storms, which included more than 100 tornadoes, that broke out across the South and Midwest March 14 to 16.

• Promo Perspective: Industry professionals from a couple of the storm-ravaged areas say their communities are banding together to help each other but significant rebuilding is needed.

Angela J. Hobgood is feeling extremely blessed.

A confirmed EF-4 tornado packing 170 mph winds slammed into her hometown of Tylertown, MS, over the weekend, pulverizing a trail of destruction there and across much of Walthall County.

But Hobgood and her adult sons, who live in an area not far away through which tornados also raged, escaped unscathed.

“We thank God we were not affected,” Hobgood, owner of Artistic Impressions (asi/125350), a promo products distributorship, told ASI Media. “Plenty of others we know were not so fortunate. It seems nearly half of the county has been devastated by the two tornadoes that went through here. We’re all thanking God that there were no more lives lost than what we’ve seen so far, given the magnitude of these storms.”

Hobgood was among the promotional products industry professionals dealing with community fallout from an outbreak of violent weather over the weekend that most severely affected swaths of the South and the Midwest while also drenching parts of the Northeast. Tornadoes, punishing rain and wind, dust storms and wildfires all were in play, with nearly 1,500 storms reported and, tragically, at least 42 people killed.

Twisters tore through states that included Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana. The tornadoes knocked out power lines, shredded homes and uprooted trees – even deposited a bus on top of a school in Talladega County, AL.

“We’re starting with hope, faith and love for one another in a heartbreaking and traumatic aftermath.” Angela J. Hobgood, Artistic Impressions (asi/125350)

Like Hobgood, Tiffany Jenkins was also feeling fortunate.

An EF-3 tornado with reported winds of 138 mph twisted into Poplar Bluff, MO, but her promotional products distributorship in the Butler County city, J.Co Apparel & Promotions, only sustained minor damage to its roof. It was easily fixed, she said.

“Currently, it’s estimated that 500 homes and 50 businesses in our town received significant damage during Friday night’s tornadoes,” Jenkins told ASI Media. “We all have several friends and family personally affected by the storm.”

“Our community has definitely stepped up to help those in need during this time.” Tiffany Jenkins, J.Co Apparel & Promotions

Jenkins shared that a number of local schools received some level of damage, noting that a kindergarten center took a direct hit and was probably a total loss. Still, both Jenkins and Hobgood said their communities were banding together to take care of each other.

“Our community has definitely stepped up to help those in need during this time,” said Jenkins. “Several local restaurants are serving first responders and emergency personnel for free. It’s been inspiring to watch the outpouring of support to help those in need.”

Hobgood said she’s thankful for the large number of people, businesses, organizations and churches in her Mississippi community that have leaped into action to help their neighbors “pick up the pieces and salvage all that they can. We’re starting with hope, faith and love for one another in a heartbreaking and traumatic aftermath.”

While people and community are foremost among their concerns, both Hobgood and Jenkins said that, from a business perspective, they weren’t anticipating long-term negative effects on sales from the tornadoes.

“At this time,” Jenkins told ASI Media, “we don’t believe our business will have any direct sales’ impacts as a result of the storm.”

Hobgood said sales could be slower than normal for a time while folks clean up and rebuild, but added that she’s “sure things will carry on. I’m thinking that in the coming months there will be those, here and in surrounding areas, looking to more heavily promote their businesses as they look to get in on the rebuilding process. There are a lot of homes and landscapes destroyed here.”

The American Red Cross was responding to help people affected by the weekend’s violent storms. Those who wish to donate to relief efforts can visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to donate. “Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small,” the organization said.