Tornadoes and Ding Dongs

[Beachclubmum]

We live an area that rarely gets tornadoes (hurricanes much more likely) but one came literally tearing down our residential street on Thursday. We were under a watch and I had just arrived home and walked to the mailbox when I saw the green sky. Ran back into the garage, closing the door to the sound of a train. Made it into our safe room (downstairs powder room) with the 12yo and my Dh who works from home. The power went out almost immediately and we heard a tree fall. Lucked out as it didn’t hit the house, but there’s a large tree down in front along that splintered in half plus the top part of a second tree. Spent yesterday cleaning things up and will borrow a chainsaw today. Most of the neighbors are far worse with trees landing on houses, windows that were blown out, etc. Around the corner it looks like a war zone. We are thankful no one was hurt in our little community.

The power, which had been out since noon Thursday, continues to be out. They keep pushing back the estimate. It’s cold here (low of 30 last night) so after “house camping” the first night and all day yesterday we got a hotel room for last night. Hot shower and heat are bliss and I’m celebrating by eating special edition heart shaped Ding Dongs. They remind me of my childhood in the 70’s. Cheers!

 

[DrQ]

Glad you were out of the direct path and no one was hurt. Hopefully, the utility companies will arrive to repair the power lines.

It's amazing what a luxury a hot shower can be when you don't have hot water. Take care.

 

[Rolltydr]

We live an area that rarely gets tornadoes (hurricanes much more likely) but one came literally tearing down our residential street on Thursday. We were under a watch and I had just arrived home and walked to the mailbox when I saw the green sky. Ran back into the garage, closing the door to the sound of a train. Made it into our safe room (downstairs powder room) with the 12yo and my Dh who works from home. The power went out almost immediately and we heard a tree fall. Lucked out as it didn’t hit the house, but there’s a large tree down in front along that splintered in half plus the top part of a second tree. Spent yesterday cleaning things up and will borrow a chainsaw today. Most of the neighbors are far worse with trees landing on houses, windows that were blown out, etc. Around the corner it looks like a war zone. We are thankful no one was hurt in our little community.

The power, which had been out since noon Thursday, continues to be out. They keep pushing back the estimate. It’s cold here (low of 30 last night) so after “house camping” the first night and all day yesterday we got a hotel room for last night. Hot shower and heat are bliss and I’m celebrating by eating special edition heart shaped Ding Dongs. They remind me of my childhood in the 70’s. Cheers!

So glad you’re ok and damage wasn’t worse than it is. Stay safe!

 

[DaveNV]

Holy Cow!!! That's a scary situation! Very glad nobody was hurt. Hope things get back to normal soon.

Dave

 

[SandyPGravel]

Glad you're ok with minimal cleanup/damage. Ho-Ho's take me back

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[VacationForever]

Wow! I am glad you and your family are alright. You sure moved quickly when you saw the green sky. I have not experienced a tornado and hope never to. The house is standing and the family is safe. That is all that matters.

 

[Panina]

It is good to hear you are ok. How scary it must have been.

Thank you for sharing as it shows even low risk areas get tornados and one should plan where they will go for cover even if their area never had a tornado.

 

[amycurl]

As someone who lived through that weather this week, too...I am glad that y'all are safe and the tree chose wisely to fall away from the house. There were some moments on Thursday and Thursday overnight into Friday that were very touch and go. I spent about an hour in the stairwell of my office building. Schools were closed from noon on Thursday through Friday. It's the first time I remember having a "tornado/flooding" school closure. (We got our first "hurrication" days with Florence, and then Matthew.)

 

[Passepartout]

Glad you are safe. You are in our thoughts.

 

[geekette]

I am so glad that you knew what that weird-colored sky meant and took action immediately.

I do live in tornado belt but one time was a bit surprised by what a local on camera said, since so many say it sounds like a freight train - "we didn't hear no Woo Woo or nuthin'!" They should not have aired that but it was at least comical for me.

For those of you unfamiliar with tornados, they are not equipped with train horns to alert you. The sky is your first hint and once you are in your safe place, you'll understand what is meant by sounding like a train. It's frightening and very obvious that something major is going on out there.

I'm so glad that you escaped injury and it sounds like only property damage for your neighbors as well. I also have a limit as to how long I will stay here without electricity. I have wood stove so heat isn't the problem. Without electricity, I have no water (I'm on a well with electric pump).

THank you for the report, I'd heard that tornados were breaking out in some weird places.

 

[Timeshare Von]

So glad to hear you and your family are alright. Far too many people take storm warnings, including tornadoes, far too lightly. We don't get them often through Wisconsin, but they do seem to come at least one a year. To hear people just blow it off as "false warnings" or "the weatherman is never right" frustrates the hell out of me.

 

[easyrider]

I remember ding dongs. They remind me of pucks. Heart shape ding dongs after a storm are a nice touch, imo. Hope your luck continues.

Bill

 

[Laurie]

Yikes, so glad you're OK!!

We house-camped for a day and evening too, most neighbors spent a bit of time huddled in a closet or hallway, one lost trees and a shed, and this is the first time I remember schools being closed because of wind. Thank heavens for woodstove & propane stove to heat up water for coffee. Luckily power came back after a day & night without. Cheers to all.

 

[PigsDad]

Been through a tornado once; never want to experience another one! The freight train description is spot on.

Kurt