Monday, March 13, 2006

danger, danger

Well, the weather reports were right, and then some. Its been a wilder Sunday than the rest f the time, I'll tell you. [brief update, Jack is fine and taking his meds like a champ, bless him]

anyway, the tornados hit. Again. And again. And I spent even more time in the closet - a total of nearly 6 hours, if you're couting - on Sunday.

You can read here about the storms in my reigon, if you are curious about the extent of the damage. There is also an interesting link of pictures from around the region with pics of the hail stones, and some of the storm damage. The Kansas City Star also ran an article about the storms in Missouri.

There were at least 2 tornados in my town for certain, possibly more, but there were two that were on the ground [does this need explaining, how much do you lot know about them?] For me, we had one touch down within about a mile of our house. The transformers outside our house were exploding and we got *baseball* sized hail. Baseball. It was very scary. We also lost our power until about 5 this morning, when everything came back on. I won't lie, I was frightened to death. I hate tornado's. I really do, and the older I get the more they frighten me, I think because I do have people I love, a house Icould lose and I am nowe able to admit that the saftey of my grandfathers arms aren't going to keep me from dying if one of those things graces my doorstep.

I felt helpless, and its a feeling I dont like. At all. I don't know how many of you have been in or around one, they aren't too fun. My step dad [v 2.0] was a tornado spotter/weather chaser, and I know exactly how deadly and terrible these things can be from his experiences. Its terrible, knowing there is something out there headed for you that you cant stop and you cant possibly get away from. All you can do is hide, and wait, and hope.

I'm tired today. And my internet connection is screwed because of the storms messing with the phone lines, so I'll be sporadic until its fixed. I am at the library right now.

I appreciate the love and the concern from you all.

I hope you are all well. I really do.

Do me a favor, tonight, think of everything you have, and just be grateful you have it. Iam realizing today how very lucky I am.

11 comments:

HistoryGeek said...

So, um, you do realize you live in tornado alley, don't you? Maybe this would be a good time to look for someplace not quite so prone to tornadoes.

As for my experience with them...I've never seen a tornado, but I have seen a funnel cloud, and there were several tornadoes which touched down in Minneapolis when I was living there. I can relate to the fear...some nights I'd go to bed knowing there was a watch or a warning in effect and wonder if I would wake up in the a.m.

My dad's cousin owns a farm in Iowa. One summer they had two tear through their farm and do a lot of damage. She was in the car during one of them and it picked up the car, turned it around and set it back down - flaying the paint off of one side.

Perhaps you should move to California...where we live with the threat of an impending earthquake in blissful denial.

Alecya G said...

Ah, see, I only have to deal with this one time a year, don't I? I know I do, but there will be hurricaines, floods, tornados and earthquakes anywhere I go.

I feel like I am justified in being scared, but I dont want to run away. Not just yet. [although I *do* appreciate the suggestion of California...nice place I hear.]

Aravis said...

I used to live in Dallas, so I've actually had quite a bit of experience with tornadoes. Tornado drills in school were as common as fire drills. One day, when I was in 2nd grade, a tornado tore through the neighborhood. It destroyed everything in its path, except the school I was in. I lifted just as it reached our building and jumped over us, touching down across the road and flattening the Taco Bell that was there. Scary.

We have tornadoes here in CT. too. I'm frightened every time there's a warning, because my house isn't built to withstand anything like a tornado, and there isn't even a basement. I have one flimsy interior closet, and there's barely room for one. I really want a storm cellar.

I'm so glad you made it through those horrendous storms safely, alecya! And good to hear Jack is doing well too. :0)

Anonymous said...

According to the American Red Cross, there is one state in the union that has no risk of natural disasters(tsunami, hurricane, tornado, volcano, etc.) The safest place in the country is, drumroll please, North Dakota. I understand that real estate is rather inexpensive there. Very low cost of living as well. All kidding aside, I'm really happy that your safe and sound, losing you would mean a sorrow beyond compare. Good luck, and please let us know if there is anything that we can do.

HistoryGeek said...

Anonymous - I hate to say this, but North Dakota is not immune to tornadoes. They may be less up there, but they are still a plains state. Besides, they can (and do) have pretty bad flooding...especially after a nasty, very snowy winter.

red one said...

Oh blimey, Alecya, you've really been through it. I'm so sorry you've had such a horrible, terrifying experience. Why is always the people who should be out having a riotously fun time who get to be stuck in closets in fear of disaster? Not fair. Weather: leave our mate Alecya alone!

I'm pleased to hear you're OK and I'll be thinking of you and hoping you don't get any more trouble.

It wasn't like this in the Wizard of Oz, was it? In my sad limey way, that was all I knew about tornados...

*sends ruby slippers and a big hug*

red

-L said...

I cannot even fathom how you are holding up, Alecya. Honestly. I have tornado nightmares all the time and freak out solely from the figments of my imagination! *sending mental hugs*

Anonymous said...

I'm glad to hear that you're okay babe.

Tell me if you find Narnia.

-Adem [blogger playing up so am anonymouse today]

Anonymous said...

I must reitterate that I am not a mouse. It was a typo.

Aravis said...

Thanks for the giggle adem. I liked "anonymouse!"

Flash said...

Man, I don't know how you guys deal with that stuff. There's certainly no shame in being scared, I'd be bricking it.

Though California may well be nice you should move to England, no tornados, earthquakes, grizzly bears or any shit like that.