These subjects cause fear and sometimes panic. Of the two the most fearful is the Tornado. In today’s world an alert of the possibility of a Hurricane is normally days in advance giving time to prepare. In many cases where hurricanes are prevalent, preparations are made ‘just in case it is my time, this year’.
We have been in one destructive hurricane (Hugo) and close to a couple. If I had a choice of picking which one I had to endure, it would be a hurricane. They are destructive but give time for defense.
The Tornado on the other hand definitely ‘Ain’t never a Friend to Man’. They are FAST AND FURIOUS! I hear that the warnings go out they are ‘minutes away’ warnings, not days, as in the Hurricane path. Fortunately we have never personally experienced a tornado, but have been within a couple miles of two. One in NC and the other in Florida.
(Animals know when to get outta dodge )
Tornadoes amaze me with their pin point destruction. Family friends in NC, went to church on Sunday morning, and returned to their home down S. Point Road, and it was GONE! A brick house GONE, they had an empty lot. Houses 100-200ft away were not touched. It was unnerving.
Here in Florida We were a few miles away from a ‘destructive path’ of one that went from Wildwood to Deland and cleared a path about 500 feet across, not even moving shingles on houses nearby. The Destruction is absolutely horrifying if you think of someone in a house that is directly in the destructive path. What truly amazes me is that the death toll is less than I would think. YES, I know, one is too many.
North Carolina has what is referred to as ‘Tornado Alley’ because of the number of tornadoes that have hit the area. I would guess that many states have a ‘tornado alley’.
People smiled when one of Charlotte’s city councilmen brought up the idea of requiring all new buildings to be tornado proof. One of the lead builders told the council, “That is a great idea. All you have to do is mandate all homes, structures and businesses be built underground from this day forth!” Methinks the man was right.
Nite Shipslog
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8 comments:
Jack, you've touched on what's perhaps my greatest fear - tornadoes. Son, DIL and baby Sarah narrowly escaped a direct hit 22 years ago when one came across their back yard in Montgomery, destroying the fence line and shed.
Witnessing the (almost-immediate) aftermath of destruction - both in Lubbock (TX) and Enterprise (AL) I've wondered why more affordable underground shelters aren't available to the average Joe/Jane?
One skirted our house a few years back. From that experience I can tell you they are scary indeed. Never been in a hurricane though.
Tornadoes scare me. In years past when hubby was looking at other jobs to take, I always shied away from those that were in areas know for tornadoes. A lot of people are afraid of earthquakes, but I would take an earthquake over a tornado any day. Never been in a hurricane, but hubby has when he was growing up in Florida.
So true animals are sensitive more to nature than we are. Several years back I did notice the corgi was a bit odd acting and sure enough a little bit later we experienced a minor earthquake.
betty
Agree one hunnert and ten percent with your observations about storms. Love that Impala, so much sexier than my "family car" Impala. But, I was happy to own it; recent divorce, no vehicle, my boss knew his cousin was buying a new car and he financed it for me in 1971. I was new on the job depending on others for transportation. He'd gotten an excellent recommendation from Mr. Silverman who I'd worked for in Pensacola. Thank God for trusting people and I thank God for friends like you who mean so much. Sorry we didn't have more time this winter but there'll be another day. If time permits, and I know you're there, I might make a drive trip to the mountain this summer. Have SUV ~ will travel :) Love and hugs from Jensen and remember that today is a great day to have a great day!!!
Glenda
I got to experience a tornado up close once when camping. Unknown to me the area had a reputation of being known as tornado ally. Thankfully the tornado remained up in the tree tops and didn't touch down. They are devastating and it's wise to keep out of their way for sure.
Two of my uncles, being from Oklahoma, built storm cellars when they built their houses. I spent one storm with them. I think I would have preferred the storm to being shut in with a heavy door in the black dark.
I remember a tornado coming through in 19seventy something. The family humkered down in the basement. Then a few years ago, we saw a small one across I-85 .
Im A storm lover but If I ever experience destruction, im sure that would change.
Safe travels
Lisa
Tornadoes are quick, highly destructive and down right mean. We've had our share up north. My sister Mel was in a deadly one while on a family reunion camping weekend. The virgin pine timbers were strewn around like arrows, flattening campers, vehicles, including hers, crushing a child that her husband pulled out of another camper like a small bag of bones. Morbid but true. Garbage can lids sailed through the air like frisbees. That same tornado destroyed state land and forests, homes for over 40 miles long and 4 miles wide. The only fatality was that poor child in the campground. A pine that 2 grown men could not wrap their arms around, bounced on the hood of Mel's truck and back up again, standing tall as it started when the storm passed. YES, tornadoes are horrid., we've lived through a couple ourselves.
Bad bad memories.
Hugs and safe travels from up north to down south to our loved and missed dear friends.
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