The destructive power of nature struck with brutal force on May 29, 2025, when a tornado ripped through Henry County, Georgia, leaving devastation and heartbreak in its wake.
Among the many affected was Tray Chaney, the actor known for his role as Malik “Poot” Carr on the acclaimed HBO series The Wire. In an emotional Instagram video, Chaney recounted the terrifying experience that led to his 18-year-old son being thrown 300 feet from his bedroom during the storm.
A Sudden Strike: The Tornado’s Impact on Tray Chaney’s Family
On that fateful Thursday afternoon, Tray Chaney and his family were enjoying a peaceful day in their home in Henry County. The calm was shattered abruptly at around 3 p.m. when a violent tornado tore through the area. Chaney described the moment in a raw Instagram video, standing in front of what remained of his home. The destruction was absolute. The house that he had watched being built from the ground up just five years earlier was now nothing but rubble.
“I heard the wind and I felt everything,” Chaney said. “I was wrapped up in the damn covers… From watching your house being built from the ground up in 2020, to five years later, that s— gone, everything gone.”
The violent storm uprooted everything in its path and threw Chaney’s son Malachi, only 18 years old, a staggering 300 feet from his room into the woods behind their home. The trauma and sheer force of such an event are difficult to comprehend. For Chaney, the moment of waking up unconscious on the ground with mud on his face and parts of the home collapsed on him was just the beginning of a frantic search for his son.
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He recalls waking up in panic, crawling from beneath the wreckage, and calling out desperately for Malachi. The help of neighbors proved vital in locating his son, who was found severely injured but alive deep in the woods some distance from the destroyed home. This act of survival amid the chaos illustrates the unpredictable and indiscriminate nature of tornadoes, which can change lives in mere seconds.
Life in the ICU: The Battle for Malachi’s Recovery
Malachi’s injuries were severe enough to require immediate intensive care, and he was rushed to a nearby hospital’s ICU. Tray Chaney and his wife have remained steadfastly by their son’s side, grappling with the fear and uncertainty that such critical injuries bring. Chaney’s emotional Instagram posts and videos have been a window into the raw pain and helplessness a parent faces when a child is critically hurt.
In one of his posts, Chaney expressed a profound wish: “I wish I could replace the pain with my son. I wish he was the one doing the video and I was still at [the] ICU.” His words resonate with the anguish that many parents might feel when confronted with the fragility of life.
From me and my family My Wife & Son watching our house be built from the ground up to watching a tornado 🌪️ come through today at 3pm and tear it down!
— Tray Chaney (@traychaney) May 30, 2025
From watching the smiles on my son face today to now going to go visit him in ICU
From watching my wife pull up from work to… pic.twitter.com/rM29J75I34
Despite his own injuries — Chaney sustained a bruise on his head — he managed to recover enough to leave the hospital and find his phone, miraculously still working beneath the rubble. However, everything else in the house was lost to the storm, highlighting the material and emotional devastation the tornado wrought.
The community around them has also been impacted. Neighbors’ homes suffered damage as well, with shattered windows and torn roofs reported. One neighbor, Andreal Mallard, described the terrifying experience of the storm, comparing it to thunder and lightning but with the added, terrifying sensation of walls shaking violently.
For Tray Chaney and his family, the recovery process has just begun. The physical and emotional toll of the disaster is immense, but the presence of family, community support, and medical care offers hope for Malachi’s eventual recovery.
A Message of Resilience and Cherishing Life
In the wake of such a traumatic event, Tray Chaney’s message to his followers is powerful and deeply personal. The suddenness of the tornado and its life-altering effects have left a permanent mark on his family, but also serve as a stark reminder of how precious and unpredictable life can be.
Chaney urges people to cherish their loved ones every day. “Hug your loved ones now! Life just changed for me & mine! We’ll never be the same!” he posted emphatically. His plea is a universal call to value those closest to us because life can shift dramatically without warning.
The story of Tray Chaney and his family is a testament to human resilience in the face of natural disasters. While the tornado destroyed their home and left Malachi fighting for his life, it also revealed the strength of familial bonds and community support. Chaney’s emotional openness about his experience invites empathy and solidarity from a wider audience, many of whom may have faced or fear similar natural calamities.
His faith and gratitude for survival are clear as well. “That s— ain’t no movie,” he said, reflecting on the harsh reality of the storm and the unfiltered trauma it brought. Yet, despite the destruction, he thanks God for sparing his life — a powerful reminder of hope amid despair.
The tornado that struck Tray Chaney’s home in Henry County, Georgia, is a devastating event that has forever changed his family’s life. The horrifying moment when his son Malachi was thrown hundreds of feet from his bedroom is a stark illustration of nature’s destructive power. As Malachi fights for his recovery in the ICU, Chaney’s courage and heartfelt messages serve as a beacon for many, encouraging people to appreciate life and hold their loved ones close.
Tray Chaney’s story is not only one of survival but of resilience, community, and the profound human capacity to find hope even after unimaginable loss. It reminds us all to cherish every moment and every person who matters in our lives.