Amid Tornado Chaos, VA Nurse Makes House Calls to Ensure Veterans Stay Safe

As violent storms swept across Mississippi on March 15, local warnings made it clear: this wasn’t just bad weather—it was a high-risk tornado outbreak capable of devastating entire communities.

At Jackson VA Medical Center, the emergency management team wasted no time. They activated the hospital’s incident command center, bringing together staff across departments to protect the most at-risk Veterans before the storms arrived.

But for Michelle Reid, a registered nurse with Home Based Primary Care, this wasn’t just part of the job. It was her community—and her people.

VA Team Reaches 480+ High-Risk Veterans

Before the first funnel cloud touched down, the team had already contacted over 480 Veterans, including:

• Those on home oxygen
  
  
• Dialysis and transplant patients
  
  
• Veterans with spinal cord injuries
  
  
• Others with complex health needs
  
  

After the storms passed, the calls didn’t stop. The team followed up with the same Veterans to check for urgent needs and offer help.

Nurse Michelle Reid Checks on Veterans—Even as Tornadoes Close In

Seventeen tornadoes were confirmed across Mississippi that day, including a powerful EF4 that tore through 65 miles of land with winds up to 170 mph. It crossed from Louisiana into Mississippi, striking several counties—Pike, Walthall, Marion, Jefferson Davis, and Covington—flattening homes and cutting off communities.

Jefferson Davis County, where Michelle Reid lives, was one of them.

“We had so many tornado warnings. They were just coming back-to-back,” Reid said.

Despite the danger, Reid didn’t wait for clear skies. On Saturday—before her scheduled check-ins—she started calling Veterans early. When she couldn’t reach two of them, one of whom was her neighbor, she got in her car and drove to their homes to make sure they were okay.

Both Veterans and their families were safe—but Reid’s actions spoke volumes about the trust and connection she shares with those she serves.

“These are my neighbors. They’re my people. When they hurt, I hurt,” she said.

Rural Nurses Step Up as First Responders

In rural Mississippi, access to care is limited—and during disasters, that gap widens. Many Veterans rely entirely on home-based nurses like Reid for medical care, wellness checks, and connection.

“There’s just a different relationship you have,” she said. “You’re not just caring for a patient, you’re getting to know them, their families, even their pets.”

Her role goes beyond medicine. In moments of crisis, Reid—and nurses like her—become the first line of support.

“Small communities are resilient. People come together, they help and they rebuild. And I’m just grateful to be part of that,” Reid added.

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