Thursday, May 26, 2011

Hunkered down

Last night we had about four or five tornado warnings.  Our town got hit by high winds on Monday night and then again last night.  There are trees down everywhere.  Nothing like Joplin, mind you.  I've been troubled thinking of the people in Joplin.  One story I heard was what people were looking for the most were items that you normally misplace like keys, glasses, cell phone, purse.  About ten-thirty last night, the sirens went off.  We live south and west of town, out in the country.  I do not know where the nearest tornado siren is located, but it was going off loud and clear.  Very scary.  I got up and started tidying up the house.  And I thought this is dumb. If we get blown away, it won't matter if the house is tidy or not.  But this is what I do when I'm nervous. 
Doug went out to the car port to take a look and called me to join him.  The rain was torrential and the wind was blowing hard.  And it was pitch black dark.  It is even scarier when you can't see anything.  Ever so often the lightening would light up everything around bright as day.
We have a crawl space but it is wet and icky and has spiders and dirt.  So I hunkered down in my little half-bath.  I was sitting on the floor on a blanket in my pajamas.  I had two battery powered lanterns, my purse, my glasses, my cell phone and charger.  I sat in there and read a book.  Doug was across the hall in the bedroom with our Corgi, Chelsea, and the cats.  I guess he thought they would make a run for it if need be.
I sat in the bathroom reading and thought should I get dressed?  But I was tired and stayed in my pajamas.  
Sometime around 11:15 to 11:30 p.m. I thought it was o.k. to go to bed.  But even then I had trouble sleeping because the wind was blowing so hard.  
This morning it looked like a war zone.  Roads blocked by trees.  And everyone keeps saying this is nothing compared to Joplin.  
A fellow university employee who lives thirty-five minutes or so from my house sent this out this morning.


 Thirty-five minutes away is too close for comfort. 

11 comments:

Chatty Crone said...

I'm so glad you and your hubby were okay. That is way to close for comfort.

What in the world is happening to the world's weather.

nono said...

I'm happy to hear you are safe!!

Princess of Everything (and then some) said...

I am glad that you are safe. We are burning up here.

My mom does the SAME thing you do!! The siren goes off and she starts vacuuming!

Anonymous said...

Wow! I am glad you're safe. This is a wild spring!

Holly said...

It's been over 30 yers since I've lived in Indiana but I remember the tornados like it was yesterday. I am so thankful that you and the hubby are ok. Need a place to come? My door is open.

Patty said...

GAH! This weather has been nuts lately. The tornado in Minneapolis hit less than 2 miles from my house. I couldn't believe that. I'm so glad that you guys are ok and safe. I remember the awful flooding in Bloomington a few years ago and that was not very fun either. I don't think I can take too much more of this!

ain't for city gals said...

If I lived back there my number one priority would be to have a celler or basement or something. I hate to say it but people are under a false impression if they think going in the bathtub is going to save them if the bathroom has not somehow been re-enforced. I would get in that crawl space no matter how yucky it was...take care.

Angela said...

I'm so glad that you are alright Cheryl! That was just too close for comfort for me! The weather truly has been scary these past few months!

Hugs,
Angela

Keetha Broyles said...

Several hit near here at on Sunday evening. Seems like this spring they are just wild and everywhere!!!

farmlady said...

I think I will stay in California and take the unexpected Earthquake once in a while. At least we don't have to wait in fear for hours not knowing where or when destruction is going to strike.
You had a close call. I'm so glad that you're OK. Take care and be very careful.

Anonymous said...

This is amazing. I wish I would have seen that. I love love love storms!!!!

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