Riding Out the Tornadoes, Hoping for the Best
I’ve lived through my share of storms, growing up in Florida where hurricanes seemed to happen nearly every weekend, and as an adult, in Georgia, where tornadoes can be as common as kudzu on the ground. My neighborhood has been nicknamed “tornado alley” by some because any time storms come through you can bet there will be damage in the general area. We have a basement, though, so we’re pretty used to going down there with our basic supplies and riding out the storm while watching all the news coverage while we have power. So when the storms hit tonight I carried my sleeping five year old down to the basement while the 16 yr old helped me gather up candles and blankets so we could settle in for the night. We watched the coverage on the news while I stayed in touch with friends on Facebook and Twitter. Power flickered twice, but remained on in our home.
Both children are sleeping now as I write this a little after midnight. The storm isn’t over yet, but it appears we escaped the worst of it. Wish I could say that for the folks to the west of us, in Alabama, and to the north in Ringgold, near Chattanooga. The death toll sits at 73 right now and this storm system is still marching across the state. The reports from these areas are grim. In Alabama, there were more than four dozen deaths and about 100 people hospitalized. In Ringgold the emergency officials have requested a mass casualty morgue. People are missing from buildings that no longer exist. Phone service is down so getting help is pretty darn difficult. And this storm is still kicking. The tornado warning has ended for my county but the lightning and thunder still comes just a second apart, meaning we’re right in the middle of something. And as soon as the downpour starts, it ends. All becomes calm again momentarily, but it’s too dark to tell what the damage is like. One thing remains certain. It’s nothing like what the people of Alabama endured earlier. Take a look at the video below and it may start to soak in just how intense it was. I’m sure in the morning there will be lots of ways to help these people, along with the people of Ringgold. If you can, please do. And stay safe!