Tearful reunions after UCC shooting

Roseburg, Ore — A day full of anxiety, sadness and grief among students, Umpqua Community College staff and family members.

While the true extent of the threat wasn’t known, those still on campus were evacuated to a nearby site the Douglas County Fairgounds

Some families, waiting to hear from their loved ones seemed like an eternity.

It was hard for everyone involved but as bus after bus arrived more and more people found themselves in the arms of loved ones after evacuating the college.

Grief counselors and Red Cross volunteers were on hand to help the families and friends of UCC students and staff as they arrived at the safe zone a few miles away from the campus.

For many that moment when they stepped off the bus to see a friendly face was an overwhelming one

“so glad to see her finally because this is an experience no one should ever have to go through, I’m just so glad she was here,” said Kayleen Holm, a UCC student.

“Reach out to friends, reach out to family, reach out to anyone that can help,” said Kyle Matz, a grief counselor.

Among those evacuated included young children from a nearby day care.

One of the hardest parts of being out there today was seeing those final few buses arrive and several family members still waiting to hear anything form their loved ones.

The Red Cross and local therapy groups will be on hand for anyone who needs help with counseling after the shooting.

 

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Matt Jordan is the Chief Meteorologist for KOBI-TV NBC5. Matt joined the NBC5 weather team in 2014 after a year as a reporter and anchor in Alexandria, Louisiana. His experience with the severe weather of the Deep South and a love of the Pacific Northwest led him to pursue a certification with Mississippi State University as a Broadcast Meteorologist. You can find Matt working in the evenings of NBC5 News at 5, 6 and 11 as well as online. Matt also has a degree in Journalism from the University of Oregon. In addition to being passionate about news and weather, Matt is a BIG Oregon Ducks fan. When not rooting for the Ducks or tracking down the next storm over the Pacific, Matt can be found outdoors in the Oregon wilderness with his wife, his daughter and their dogs Stanley and Gordi.
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