Sunday, June 08, 2008

Aftermath & Clean Up


Local police, Fema Disaster Relief and Home Depot were there to offer assistance and supplies to families to shore up their homes and businesses.




Glimpses of the worst hit areas, blocked off by police. The homes in this photo have lost their roofs and walls.






A new home with it's windows blown out. The fencing also went through the windows.



An old farm that has been around for a very long time.











The inside of a local business that blew across the street.








We saw three trampolines, this one was out near the road with no home in site where it might have blown away from.



This brand new car wash lost its roof and the cement pillars toppled over on it.



Truck after truck of tree branches and debris headed for dumping areas.


Early this morning at about 2:30am I was awakened by the sound of an enormous rain storm, high winds, and the most incredible sound, like a train roaring toward our home. I had a hard time awakening but realized it was time to move. I literally rolled out of bed and looked out the window. The sky was unbelievably grey and the rain was coming straight sideways at an unbelievable speed-and the trees were completely on their sides also. K and I headed for the basement to take cover.

An F2 tornado (111 to 135 mph winds) went right over our home then touched down and started a path of destruction many miles long about a mile and a half from our home. This afternoon we went out to see the damage and I was able to take a few photos. The police had several subdivisions completely blocked off so you couldn't get in to see the serious damage as was understandable, so many families were trying to clean up. More storms are coming in tonight and many homes had no roofs or walls. People were out cutting down the trees that blocked to roadways and on their homes. We saw truck after truck loaded down with trees and debris.

Thankfully our home didn't suffer any damage and we only saw minor damage in our neighborhood. We are so grateful and blessed that we are safe and sound and pray for those who's homes sustained damage. Thankfully no lives were lost.

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posted by "Maggie" at 8:09 PM 6 comments

Thursday, June 05, 2008

Spring Storms


If you live in Midwest USA, you are living in tornado alley. Last night our area experienced multiple (up to 19 and 20) funnel clouds in the sky, significant storms that went right over the top of our home. Fortunately, we did not see any tornados touch the ground but some areas and homes in other cities were destroyed. The toll has not been completely counted yet.

Needless to say, it was the first time I took the storm warnings seriously since moving here and prepared a spot in the basement to take cover in and ride out the worst kind of storm. I had a safe area supported complete with mattress overhead, plenty of big floor pillows, blankets and cover, water, peanut butter, crackers, fruit, a flash light and wind up radio, a cell phone, two portable phones and a book -which I found little comfort in. The hail sounded like someone was throwing rocks at the windows and roof. Some areas had hail as big as baseballs, thankfully not ours. Flash Flooding is the result of massive amounts of rain fall. As you can see from above, someone's vacation plans have been ruined.

Tonight we are still under a tornado watch though we don't anticipate anything severe. I hope I get more sleep tonight. It's tough to sleep through all that racket. Now off to bed to catch some z-z-z-Z-Z-Z's!

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posted by "Maggie" at 8:49 PM 3 comments