Alabama tornado victim's family helps Tennesseans recover

BEAUREGARD, Ala. — The grandparents of the youngest victim of a deadly tornado in Alabama traveled to Tennessee to help those affected by severe storms that hit exactly one year after their family tragedy.

Armando “AJ” Hernandez Jr., 6, was torn from his father’s arms and found dead after a tornado ripped through the Beauregard, Alabama, community March 3, 2019. He was among 23 people killed in the severe weather.

On March 3, 2020, at least 24 people died in a tornado outbreak that ripped through middle Tennessee, including parts of Nashville. The storms injured dozens and left a trail of destruction.

When Bobby and Leanne Kidd saw the news, they understood what those families were going through.

“For the people in Beauregard and us, it was already a hard day,” Bobby Kidd told WTVM-TV ahead of a trip he and his wife took Friday to storm-ravaged Tennessee. “It affected us and hit us hard because we knew what they were going through.”

So, the couple decided to pack up a trailer full of supplies and head north.

“I don’t think there’s any other way we could honor our grandson’s name. A.J. would have wanted us to do this,” Leanne Kidd said.

The couple planned to give items they said storm victims would most need, based on their own experience. Toiletries, gift cards, money and food were at the top of the list for those who lost everything.

“So the best thing we can do is to give these people basic necessities,” Leanne Kidd said.

The couple was expected to lend a hand for two days, and said they also plan to return to Tennessee next month to offer more help.