Monday, May 20, 2013

Tornadoes, power outages, and hail, the great equalizer

Early yesterday afternoon, I was snoozing on my couch in the office while trying to watch the basketball game.  I was awakened by a noise on the TV and outside.  The  TV was showing my county was under a tornado warning, and the sirens outside seemed to confirm it.  I turned to a local channel and saw the tornado was coming from the southwest, so I took a photo of the sky before I headed to the basement.  You can see the rain was just starting when I took this photo.

Now I realize most times trying to round up a cat is like herding fish.  But when it comes to bad weather, Bleubeard has more sense than I have.  He hides under low hanging furniture in the dining area, or tries to head for the basement, which is always closed off to him.

That was not the case yesterday.  The tornado looked like it was headed right toward my area of town.  While I went into my basement studio, Bleubeard chose to sit on the chair in the hallway shown holding the art print.  He was actually safer than I because there were two walls on all sides between him and the outside, which was where he felt the safest.

The tornado passed over us, or went around us, I'm not sure which.  But I kept hearing all the noises from the hail that hit the roof.  And that was scary since I was in a basement below ground.

After the rain and hail had stopped, I went outside to check my herbs.  Not as bad as I anticipated, but still some damage.

The area between my and my neighbor's driveway was under water, too.  He had parked his new truck under my tree in my driveway and it was now covered with leaves and debris.

So was my porch and steps.  It was too wet to sweep the debris away, so I will do that today.

Luckily, to my knowledge, no one was killed in Wichita, although we had a power outage long enough every electric clock and VCR (have I not mentioned I'm still OLD SCHOOL?) had to be reset.

The disadvantage of living in Tornado Alley means spring tornadoes, power outages, and hail, the great equalizer.  I hope your Sunday was less stressful and far safer.

19 thoughtful remarks:

Darla said...

That must be frightening. Glad you and Bleubeard are both save.

Darla

Unknown said...

I am glad you didn't have any real damage! We are also prone to tornadoes here in the Memphis area (although not as bad as you folks in Kansas and Oklahoma I think!). It's always dismaying when you have your garden all in and then see it decimated by hail and wind -- but it is what it is. People always see our "average" temperatures and think gardening here is as easy as California or Florida, but I tell them there's a reason "regular" folks all left on the Oregon and California trail in the 1800's. Between tornados, scorching heat and drought in the summer and freezes in the winter, it's tough! We are supposed to get that front here tomorrow, but I don't think it's supposed to be as severe when it comes through.

Krisha said...

Hi Elizabeth, SO glad to hear your safe. I grew up in Fargo, ND so I do know what a tornado is and how devistating they can be. I did chuckle at Diana's comment. Those that headed to California had a BIG surprise. No tornados, but there is NO warning when the earth decides to move around LOL! And the part of CA I live in get well over 100' in the summer and COLD and FOGGY in the winter, so we all have our weather to deal with.

Anonymous said...

Was thinking about you and Lisa Graham during those crazy storms. Couldn't believe the size of those funnel clouds on the news this morning. You were all so lucky!!! Glad your herbs will recover...thanks for the comments on my blog. If I try and reply to your emails it comes back to me...Yes, we will have to put a NFS tag on the desk at least until Sunday afternoon when we will sell it if someone wants it....xox

Helen said...

Glad you didn't suffer too much damage and that it doesn't take too long to sort out.

~*~Patty S said...

I was thinking about you and hoping that the serious weather would not affect you ... it has to be scary even if you've had years to get used to it!

Thank you for your sweet words about my Monday Mandala and the birdies!

Here's hoping the weather will calm down and let your herbs grow in peace ♥
oxo

jinxxxygirl said...

So glad you and Bluebeard are safe. Kitties are no dummies and neither apparently are you! So glad you got in the basement.

When i lived in TX on the edge of tornado alley we had a storm celler maybe 30/40 ft from the house...stupid...by the time you decide its bad enough to head for the cellar it was usually hailing...who wants to get hit on the head all the way to the cellar? LOL! Be safe Hugs! deb

Rebeca Trevino said...

glad to hear you are ok.

Divers and Sundry said...

so glad y'all are ok. we are sunny and hot here but are expecting to have thunderstorms tomorrow and wednesday. your weather must be headed this way

Jo Murray said...

We've been seeing the tornados on the TV even in Australia. So glad you escaped this one, and hope that your family and friends have done so too. I feel so sorry for those in the full fury of a tornado's path.

Caterina Giglio said...

I was thinking about you and wondering how you were doing, our daughter lives in OK City, and they have been really stressed for a couple of days now... glad you are ok... herbs can be replaced... x

Halle said...

Glad you were spared any substantial damage. We've had tons of rain here...raining again now. I have standing water in my yard in several places. Last year was a drought...this year we're making up for it.

Craftymoose Crafts said...

So happy to hear that you and Bleubeard are safe! It is really interesting how animals can predict or have a sense that a storm is coming. I just heard on the news about the tornadoes going through OK and, of course, there was one through TX. Worst part of Spring.

I appreciated your kind comments on our daughter's graduation and my beaded ferns.

Donna: said...

Glad you are safe...

Rita said...

I'm really glad you and Bluebeard are okay. We get tornados up here, too. I still remember watching the roof of the junior high gymnasium blow off in sections. Wicked power in nature sometimes. Stay safe! :)

voodoo vixen said...

I was thinking of you when I saw that there were tornadoes heading to Kansas, very glad that you and Bleubeard are safe and sound!! Shame about the herbs and the mess, but in the bigger scheme of things not too bad eh? :)

Dandelion and Daisy said...

Happy to hear you are alright! Keep safe.

okienurse said...

Just a note to let you know we are all okay here. DD got a few pictures. You can see them on my facebook page.

Dianne said...

so glad you are safe...sounds like Bluebeard's instincts are a good indication of whether or not to head for the basement! hoping the spring storms are over...