In Indiana, thunderstorms and tornado warnings are a part of spring. Last night, we welcomed spring in for 2010!
We live in a bi-level (or raised ranch) home. The main living areas are upstairs- living room, kitchen, bedrooms. We have a garage, laundry room, partial basement, and under stairs storage downstairs.
Last night, the weather sirens went off. We tuned in on the TV and our laptops and started searching for more information. We didn't feel scared or seriously threatened- it seemed to be just south of us.
Better to be safe than sorry in this sort of thing. So Jeff put out a camping pad that we have- it's thick and cushy- in the small hallway. I got Teagan, Jeff got Zach. And we hunkered down for about 15 minutes.
The kids slept through the entire thing.
Jeff brought his laptop down so we could keep an eye on the radar.
And my babies cuddled up and snoozed away... feeling safe and secure in the midst of a totally new experience.
It all stayed just south of us.
I've never actually been in a tornado. Have you?
Jeff brought his laptop down so we could keep an eye on the radar.
And my babies cuddled up and snoozed away... feeling safe and secure in the midst of a totally new experience.
It all stayed just south of us.
9 comments:
I have, actually- and it is why sirens freak me out to this day - no matter how close or far the actual "weather situation" is.
I was about 9 and remember hunkering down in the tiny half bath with my mom and brother in our townhouse in PA. We didn't have damage or loss due to the tornado- but lots around us did. It certainly left its impression on me though- whenever I get overly stressed, I have recurring nightmares about multiple tornados bearing down on me. One of my biggest fears actually.
Would love to shadow a storm chaser someday- just to face the fear.
Not IN one diirectly, but around them too much. I'll never forget one horrible night in a hotel in Montgomery, Alabama. I was on an upper floor, it was 3 am & I had no real place to go. Sirens were all around me. I had the TV with radar on, but it doesn't help much if you are unfamiliar with the area, like I was. I almost quit my job that night. Then in '07 my parents house took a direct hit and was destroyed by one. I've seen the aftermath up close & hope I never do again.
I have nightmarish memories from my years in IN, staying up 'til the wee hours during storms, glued to the Weather Channel. We were so drilled on the dangers of tornados during my childhood that I now get really freaked out during any windy storm. We had a close call over our house once in OH--I looked out the back window and saw the clouds moving south, then out the front window and saw them moving north! We lost some trees, but nothing major.
I, too, have had many tornado dreams, of having 2 mins to get everyone to safety, while the rest of my family ignores me. Ugh! Fortunately, I haven't had one of those in a while.
I'm going to have to do my own post about tornado warnings. Even though we haven't been near one, it apparently was traumatic enough.
I remember having drills in elementary school- lining up in the hallways, down on knees, bend over your lap, hands across the back of your neck.
I remember there being an earthquake (small) in Lexington when I was around 4 or 5 years old.
I've been in some severe thunderstorms- strong, damaging winds, hail, etc. We've sustained damage to our home in those storms.
But I've not actually been in the midst of a true weather disaster like that.
Thankfully, there were no touch down tornados last night.
Thankfully, the system is more sophisticated now than it used to be. Now, they issue a take cover Warning when the cells are right to create a tornado. Used to be a Warning was issued if a funnel cloud had been actually spotted.
And bad weather doesn't scare me. I love storms. I like the "adventure" of taking cover. I'm sure my mind will change if I ever live through an actual disaster or tornado. I like the take chargedness that Jeff and I feel when weather is in our area- getting online to study the radar, tuning in to the local news or weather channel, opening a window to listen for wind and sirens and hail. Scary but I like how Jeff and I work together in those circumstances, too.
No sirens for us, but our weather alert radio did go off. Charlie ended up sleeping with me.
When I was in high school, a tornado (or the edge of it), hit our house. Took part of the roof off over my bedroom, knocked over the chimney and landed some of my roof in my parent's room and some in the neighbors front yard. We didn't even realize that it happened until the neighbor came by and asked if we'd seen our roof. The fire department came and nailed down tarps to cover the opening.
I'm a Florida native...and thought everyone in the world knew what hurricanes and tornadoes were when I was a kid!
Been thru many in Fl and TX and SC.
I find them more scary as an adult than I did as a kid...probably cuz I'm a mom now, hunh? Glad you are all okay.
A tornado swept through here when I was little and then 2 years ago and then tornado like winds, I can't remember the name, came through 10 years ago.
TOO SCARY!
We go to the basement bathroom and put the dogs in the shower.
I need to get my stuff ready (flashlights, lanterns) Thanks for the reminder!
Thankfully, I've never witnessed a tornado. I'm glad this one passed you by!
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