A Savannah State University student, Malachi Chaney, is on the road to recovery after a tornado severely damaged his family’s home in May. Malachi and his family shared their experience with News 3’s Nakya Harris, discussing the challenges they are facing after the disaster.

According to Malachi’s father, Tray Chaney, everything seemed normal until it wasn’t. Suddenly, he heard unsettling noises and witnessed the walls collapsing inwards. An EF-2 tornado had struck their residence in Henry County.

“The first thing I said was, ‘Where’s my son?’ Then, almost immediately, I felt myself being lifted into the air,” Tray recounted. “When I regained consciousness a minute later, I found myself entangled in sheets, my face smeared with blood and pressed into the mud. As I pulled away the sheets, I realized the roof had been completely torn off.”

Malachi was thrown 300 feet. That is the length of a football field. The family say they searched for Malachi for nearly an hour. Thankfully, he survived, spending time in critical condition. Since then, he says he has been recovering well.

“Physically, I feel amazing. I feel just like I did before all of this. I remember when I first gained my consciousness back, I did feel something a little off of my body.  But before you knew it, a week or two passed and I walked the same as I always have. I can talk and eat the same.”

Tray has been documenting Malachi’s progress on social media. It’s something that has helped the family through these life changing moments.

“Every day I’m still battling, you know, PTSD,” Tray said. “I’m in therapy now. I never thought I would say I needed a therapist, but you know, I have to speak to somebody at least a couple times a week.”

The Chaney family continues to move forward.

“When you meet someone new, like, for example, me as a student, when I meet new incoming freshmen, like new students, like transfer students, never take their time for granted because you never know. Because in my situation, I learned life could be short, just like that. Now being able to live is the tale that it just gives me a new appreciation for life, whether that’s family, friends or someone new completely. Especially when I get back on campus.”

Tray also told that when Malachi is 100%, his dream is to walk him back through Savannah State University’s doors. They both thank the Savannah community for the outpouring of support.