Off topic: Tornado

15 years ago

My sister in Lakeland called me yesterday and told me a tornado was coming. I said thanks, now I'll now the instant before I die why. About 5 minutes later, suddenly it got almost pitch black, I heard the wind howling, the electricity went off, I looked out the bedroom window and all the trees, even the big huge ones, were bent halfway to the ground and twirling around and around like a child's top that's about ready to topple over. Suddenly I thought about my Uncle Robert who lives in WV where the wind never blows over 10 mph, and that if he had been here and seen that he would've probably had to run in and change his undies. I said a very bad word, I grabbed my cellphone and ran and hid in the closet for about 2 minutes. When I heard all the racket die down and emerged, I realized that the phone wouldn't have done me any good if something had happened because it doesn't work in the house anyway. Funny how the mind works at times like that. I get real excited when I see a tornado in the distance, but when it's right on top of me I get a little afeared for myself!

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Comments (14)

teresa_nc7
15 years ago
Sounds scary! I'm glad you are alright!

Teresa
User
15 years ago
Those are scary. I hadn't heard of any tornadoes lately, just lots of storms and snow in the east. This weather is something else.
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toolgranny
15 years ago
OMG I'm glad you are alright. I was in one once and it's really scary. I was dumb and didn't know what was happening till it was gone but it was scary seeing black skies all of a sudden and things blowing around the skies. Being so dumb almost got me killed. People should think ahead and have a plan. Phone won't do good even with signal. Police already know, trust me.
cindykg23
15 years ago
Glad you are OK!! I was also in one once - never expected to ever be lying in a ditch on top of my infant trying to protect him. I was fine before & during the whole thing, but once it was all over I was shaking like a leaf & crying! I don't ever want to be in the situation again.
Toolgranny, GREAT advice! ALWAYS have a plan.

Weird, but we actually had a conversation about tornado safety on the way to school this morning! The boys brought it up & told me where they go at home in case of a tornado warning. I made certain they know where to go when they are at MY house too! Let's pray this crazy weather doesn't stay on thro the spring!!
geezerfolks_SharonG_FL
15 years ago
Glad you're ok, Rita. We got a ton of rain and wind but no damage. The worst part was a little southeast of us. I felt sorry for that lady who was in her car when the gas station canopy fell and landed on her car. The roof was crushed to the steering wheel and she had to be cut out of her vehicle.

SharonG/FL
K8Orlando
15 years ago
The strong wind and lightning were pretty intense last night, and we got a little over 2" of rain, but it wasn't bad enough here for us to be frightened. We were watchful though! I had just moved back to Orlando in 1998 when we had some very bad tornadoes all around us. I still think of February as Tornado Month.
msmeow
15 years ago
Lots of rain and wind in Winter Garden, too, but no tornados! I heard on the news that some houses in Groveland were damaged by the wind.

Rita, I was born in Lakeland and lived there until I got married. What area is your sister in?

Donna
Carol_from_ny
15 years ago
I use to lived in IL where tornados are part of the spring sky. Not fun at all. Glad you're okay.
Been thru a few of them myself, very humbling experience.
petalpatsy
15 years ago
OMG Rita! Holy #*%()%*#(!!!! I'm glad you're okay! What kind of property damage did you have?
nanajayne
15 years ago
You sound so cool with it. I would still be shakeing. I am so glad you are OK. I don't think of Tornados this time of year but know they have been happening. Here in the snow country we have other problems but woundn't trade with yours. I agree that you need a plan but sometimes the notice is pretty short. Take care. Jayne
grammyp
15 years ago
Oh, man, that is scary. I'm glad you managed to stay calm and safe.

beverly
day2day
15 years ago
Rita, so glad you are okay. That scared me just reading about it.
User
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks to all for your relief that I'm OK. Donna, my sister lives on a ranch in a rural area East of 39 and North of Knights Griffin Rd. (near Kathleen). In fact, she and her beloved are members of the Kathleen Historical Society. I walked the property as much as I could navigate yesterday, mainly to see if there was any damage to the fence line. We have cleared this 5 acre plot minimally so it's tricky with all the fallen branches and underbrush. Amazingly, I found only one of the hundreds of trees on the property that was snapped in two, it's a widow-maker because it's still hanging and will be dangerous to get all the way down. Pretty big pine. There was one area that I couldn't get to way in the back to check the fence line due to all the fallen branches, my husband will have to check that out when he gets the chance. After what I witnessed, it's unbelievable what contortions huge trees can take without being broken down.
Robbi D.
15 years ago
That is amazing that there wasn't more damage from your description! And, I too am glad to hear you weren't hurt. We also have a large fenced in farm, and frequently have trees taking down our fending. Most of it is barbed wire, so it is a fairly easy fix. At least our horses like to stay close to the barn, so they don't venture far when the fence is broken.

I hope things settle down and your power was quickly restored.

Robbi