As soon as the class was over the madness began again. The Meteorologists had predicted such severe storms that we actually cleaned out a hall closet to get into. We just threw everything in the bathroom and made room for me, Kei and Nomad. That is where we basically were the next 6 hours.
On television even the meteorologists were amazed. They kept saying they had never seen such tornadoes, so many, so strong. They were bouncing around everywhere, hitting everything. Cities and rural communities. We had no information on anything except that they were on the ground. I prayed a lot. I cried for the deaths they were reporting. I had no clue what the death toll would end up being. We sat in our closet listening to the TV until the power went out.† When the power went out I lost cell phone coverage. I ran around the house looking for batteries for my radio. I wasn’t prepared, most people were not prepared. I finally found batteries and we sat in the closet and listened for the next 3 hours. Tornadoes were still jumping around everywhere. Tuscaloosa, Cullman, Arab, Lawrence County, Madison County, towns everywhere were hit. More than 150 tornadoes were reported, 342 dead at last count with many more still missing. Google or YouTube “Alabama Tornado” and you will not believe your eyes. These were F4 Tornadoes. F5 are the most deadly. People in a house, no matter where they are, have very little chance of surviving an F5 tornado. Even people in basements here were killed.
UPDATE: The National Weather Service confirmed the 4/27/11 tornado as a EF5 with estimated peak winds of 210 MPH. The total path length was 132.1 miles from southern Franklin County Alabama to near Huntland in Franklin County Tennessee. Maximum path width: 1.25 miles
I tried to call my Daddy because we have a wall phone that was not a cordless and I had service. Unfortunately in the middle of it the line went dead and we were without phone for about 3 days. We didn’t eat that night and went to bed early, in the dark with the radio on for awhile to listen to reports. Next morning we heard the power was on in Athens, a town about 12 miles from us. I needed some things. I had no gas, no batteries, no ice for our food, no cell phone charger for my iPhone. Things that I can assure you I will have from now on. Kei and I debated on what to do…if I took off with the little gas I had, about 1/8 of a tank and we ran into trouble, we would be out of gas. We decided to chance it. The traffic lights were down, but the day was beautiful. The radio stations were playing no music…people were calling in with updates from their towns and information about what stores were opened and who had what supplies. This went on for days and days…people connecting to people via radio. It was a wonderful testament to humankind.
On the way to Athens we ran into a HUGE traffic jam. I was afraid I was going to run out of gas so we had to turn around and come back. We decided on the way back to run by our friends house and see how they fared the storm. I was secretly hoping that we could stay with them for a day until, I thought, the power would be back on. We got to their house, Laura, Livvy, Annah and Gammy and stayed with them until Friday morning. You should have seen the kids in the neighborhoods! Laura said she had never seen so many kids outside. There was nothing for them to do inside, so they played. We grilled out, ate and listened to the radio.
The next morning we got up and went home. I was so hoping the power would be on but it wasn’t. We went to our church who had jumped right in to help immediately following the tornadoes. We bought supplies and made hundreds of sack lunches.
We were so lucky, so blessed. Yes we had no power for 5 days, yes I threw away tons of ruined food, but those things are easily replaced. So many lost everything…everything.
ìThere are two big forces at work, external and internal. We have very little control over external forces such as tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, disasters, illness and pain. What really matters is the internal force. How do I respond to those disasters? Over that I have complete control.î† ~Leo F. Buscaglia
Thank You for sharing this with us! I’ve been through some pretty scary weather situations myself(though none quite this tremendous). It can be so devastating not only in the physical sense but mentally & emptionally too. While there are always scammers/crooks/thieves taking advantage of these situations, God’s goodness & mercy shines when ordinary ppl get together and accomplish extraordinary things! You and all dealing with this are in my prayers. I hope that in the coming days that you will see how much your fellow Americans care!!
On the happy side; I’m so glad I “stumbled” across your blog and am followin ya now!
In Christ:)
Just wanted to let you know that you are in our thoughts and prayers all the time.
I’m glad to hear that you all are ok. Praying for all the people affected by the tornados and the emergency workers in the aftermath. ~ Ellen
So glad that your family is ok. I live in NC and we’ve had those same storms push through here. No where near as much loss as the rest of the country though. We are praying for all those who lost during those storms. Matter of fact I watched two of those funnel clouds go right over my house with my son in the closet. Those same two funnel clouds turned into tornados and did alot of damage on the other side of the county. To live in the south you definitly have to deal with these terrible storms.
Wow. Thank you for sharing your story and photots. I’m glad that you all are safe!
I’m dropping by from HHH.
I am so glad that your family is safe. the reports are unbelieveable… I can’t even imagine what you all have been through. thanks for sharing your story… it makes it all the more real for those of us who have never experienced something like that. I’m visiting from the homeschool hop. loved the picture of your daughter praying… we all have so much to be thankful for.
Karen, Wow. I am so glad that you are both safe. Kei looks terrified in the closet. Poor thing. This was so scary. We were watching on the Weather Channel and praying for your safety and the safety of everyone in the South.
I must say, however, that I love how everyone pulled together, was there for each other and just pitched in and helped. It reminded me a lot of the days after 9/11. Everyone was just there for each other, no questions asked. It really does make you feel better about the human spirit.
I’m so glad that you are ok!
So thankful you are safe!
I am glad you posted. When you didn’t answer my email, I was really worried.
I’m also glad you can help people who didn’t fare so well. Not surprised that your sweet daughter is making sandwiches and helping, either.
Karen,
I hope you know how you and Kei were being held by many in our hearts. I prayed feverishly before bed and could not fall asleep fearing for your safety. Poor Kei looks terrified in the closet. Grace is watching The Weather Channel’s recap of last week as I type right now. She keeps asking me what we can do. Do you personally know of any families that need things that we can donate? I would love to provide her with someway to make sense of what happened to you all.
Jess
Oh, Karen. My heart goes out to you and to those suffering. I can’t believe what you all went through! And I am amazed, and so moved, by how incredible communities and friendships are. That’s what really stands out for me here. The incredible, rock-solid strength of your church and people looking out for each other. That is just BEAUTIFUL. Amidst all these uprooted lives and pictures of devastation, the integrity and power of people just comes shining through. Bright and beautiful.
Thank you so much for sharing this, Karen. I am so glad you and Kei and Nomad are safe! And I am so proud to know you and your girl, who feel so much and will do so much for others. You are completely inspiring.
So glad you are both safe. We had a similar experience with flooding a few years back, not quite as scary as being holed up in a cupboard, but no power for four days and in the middle of winter. So I recognise the survival skills that come into place. When it passed, we immediately went out and bought a combustion heater complete with oven as the thought of going through the cold like that again did not appeal. You have reminded me of how important it is to be prepared though. We should all have the basic necessities put aside for such a day. Especially food and water. Keep safe lovely girls, sending out a lot of love and prayers to those who have suffered. hugs xoxoxoxox