I took my dogs out for a quick outdoor visit since I noticed clouds growing and figured a storm was on its way. Alas, we weren't quite quick enough. The wind turned extremely hot and was so strong I could hardly stand. The dogs finished their business wayyyy faster than usual and the three of us starting running for the house. I heard a huge cracking sound and realized a tree was falling in the neighbor's backyard woods just as we got to the house. The power went off and almost immediately I heard sirens from firetrucks, etc. I figured lightening may have hit somewhere, but after the power came back on I turned on the tv to discover that a tornado had touched down about 1.5 miles from my house and turned to the southeast. It hit right in the middle of the city and crossed a bridge over into the next county. It was the fastest storm I've ever seen and the city has downed power lines, trees (one fell on a car but the occupant managed to escape unharmed) are down all over the western section of the city. Its a big, big mess, but so far there have been no injuries reported. My son called in the middle of all this and told me to get downstairs because he saw the tornado moving toward me. I went down into what I suppose is the strongest area and away from the windows, etc. and huddled with my dogs until it was all over.
Where is Dr. Cloud when I need him???? Hmmmmm????

 

Glad you're OK. A mile and a half is plenty close enough for severe downbursts and high winds. Ask me how I know.

 

Glad you're ok! That's pretty scary stuff.

Ok, Raymo, how do you know?

 

I just heard a news report that a viewer spotted a tornado just near my mom's house. I cannot get in touch with mom -- her phone line is busy. I'll keep trying. The tornado is now headed toward Appomattox County (where my son lives). Fortunately I know my son is okay because he's here in my town.

 

Wow! Keep your head down, Val...Hope you are able to reach your mom soon. I bet lines are either down or lots of people are on the phone at the moment.

Glad you are ok. keep us posted.

 

YAY, just talked to Mom on the phone. She's fine. Trees are down just a block from her home, but she had no damage. She said there is a lot of debris that has blown around her lawn, etc., but the feisty little dame is heading out to get it up now. I just cleaned up some small tree limbs and debris out of my lawn/driveway. Fortunately the scaffolding is fine that is by my house (we're having the wood trim plasticized). I was concerned about it because it was rocking and bopping, but it held on just fine. The worst of the storm seems over, so I guess we're okay.

 

Good news!

 

I've been a bit closer than that only this godless bastard came in the middle of the night.

 

Did it increase your fuel milage?

 

Having grown up in Iowa, I have been through many tornados of all sizes. So small that they were about 3-4' tall and swisked away our comic books to big ones that took out large trees and whole streets.

I know to stay away from windows, go to a basement if you have one or go lie in your bath tub with something over you. (dogs?)

I remember my father always cracked open some windows to avoid the house being imploded by the tornado. Has that "rule" changed. I never hear any newscaster give that advice.

Any and all opinions, please?