but if you were at ground zero or at hurricane katrina, if you saw pictures of banda aceh, that's what we're talking about here. it is a staggering thing. and we arrived in the darkness. and when sun -- when day broke today, it took your brett away. >> and took the breath away of some first responders who are veterans of tornado alley, who have seen a lot of devastation. >> we talked to some who have been on the job for over three decades and said this is as bad as they've ever seen it. they were speaking in euphemism, perhaps trying to take some of the sting out of it. we asked them, how do you compartmentalize it, how do you process it? how do you deal with the grisly discoveries you make, perhaps hour by hour, they work house to house to house, and they struggle, especially considering these are their brothers and sisters. >> and the people in this community or what was this community also pitching in. >> and i think that's a real point to make. so many people caught themselves talking about of the place where they work. well, used to work. the place where i live. well, used to live