Life’s a Dance

We are stopped on our way to IN and I’m posting from the hotel’s SLOW internet connection, so this is a quick post to say that we are okay.  I’ve gotten a few e-mails but can’t respond directly b/c of the slow connection.

Starting about 5:30, just as we finished eating, the torando sirens started signaling intermittently.  A little after 6pm we lost power and the tornado sirens came on and stayed on.  The sky got so eery looking.  A greenish, scary color.  I had cleared out our inner closet downstairs earlier and put some food, water bottles, my cell phone, wallet, camera & all six of Elizabeth’s babies (got all the important stuff!!) in there along with a couple blankets, flashlights and coats.  After looking at the sky and hearing the wind once we lost power, I scurried us to the closet.  E was watching Curious George when the power went out and she was rather upset about him not being on.  Her being so consumed with George was both a relief (that she wasn’t aware of what was going on) but also frustrating (b/c I was aware!!)  We were shut in the closet and our windows were closed but I could STILL feel wind on my toes rushing through our house through the crack between the bottom of the door & the floor!!  I have NEVER felt something like that.  And the roaring sound…it was like a freight train, just like you read about.   Just at that moment Jim called.  He had  no idea it was so bad by us, he was just calling to chat.   He was able to stay on the phone for a few minutes, until the worst of it was over, but then they were doing an emergency evacuation back to the barracks (they were out in the field).

After the sounds had quieted down for several minutes, I opened the door but we stayed in the closet.  Sirens of all types were wailing outside.  I waited a few more minutes before we ventured out of the cloest.  As I looked out front, I saw people starting to come out.  Tree limbs, shingles, bikes, outdoor furniture…it was all scattered through the parking lots.  People were gathered outside, so we sat on our stoop for awhile before heading in to quiet down & sleep.

This morning we went walking around to see the damage.  E’s slide was SEVEN doors down!  She thought it was hilarious that her slide was “way down there”.  We brought it back and she told it to “no get up slide, sit right here”.  I hope it listens.

National Weather Service article says that the tornado crossed over the J.R. Allen Parkway which runs *right* behind our complex.

Picture of the tornado

Local paper’s news & pictures 

Local ABC News Pictures
Local CBS News Pictures and then to the photo gallery under “Veterans’ Parkway Suffers Wrath”.  (Picture #1 is about 1/4 mile from my house, #3, 10 & 16 are the McDonald’s where I usually take E to play.  #4 is right next to the Burger King we play at when it’s warm.  All those pictuers are taken a mile or less from our apartment.)

I have some persoanl pictures to post.  I’ll do that when we get back.