You Never Think Something Like This Could Happen

Junior. I’m sorry you and your town had to experience this. I’ve lived through two tornadoes and count myself blessed to have come out of it OK. I’m glad no one was seriously hurt. As they say things can be replaced, people can’t. Unfortunately, that saying is not much comfort when you are faced with rebuilding a home and having to purchase all new things. The rebuilding can be stressful and tiring. Lean on each other and know that others are around to help and praying for strength and healing.

God bless.

-- Betsy - GO BUCKS!

Thanks Betsy.

-- Make things with wood.

You have my sympathy as well. Just this morning, here in Gainesville, Florida, we had a tornado warning that lasted several hours. My wife and I were on constant alert. Actually several tornados were spotted, but apparently none “touched down”. However, high winds blew a school bus off the road on it’s side. The kids were shaken up, but no serious injuries.

It’s a good idea to check into NOAA every day www.nws.noaa.gov/

-- "Heaven is North of the Bridge"

I went through a killer tornado in Topeka, Kansas in 1966. 14 people died and a mile wide swath of destruction was carved through town (with occasional caroms back up into the sky before touching down again). It is hard to fathom that life can be so violently changed in such a brief time. The power of weather is an awesome thing.

I am glad the folks of your town made out so well, in terms of the loss of life. While it is devastating to lose a home and goods, nothing will bring back a loved one. Please know that I will be joining in the prayers for your community.

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

Jr. A terrible disaster, thankfully nobody was seriously hurt or killed. Thank you for sharing the photographs with us. I have never experienced a tornado, but I have been in several hurricanes, with winds in excess of 200mph – so I can appreciate the full force of nature.

We have to learn to live with and respect nature – it is the planets way of cleaning itself from time to time. As long as we live in harmony with the elements & the earth and do not try to change their nature we will all be safe.

Now being a little insensitive perhaps – get out there and grab as much of that free lumber as you can, before it goes into a land fill or a fire. Maybe even make something to commemorate the event – so it should not be forgotten.

-- Tony - All things are possible, just some things are more difficult than others! - SKYPE: Heron2005 (http://www.poydatjatuolit.fi)

Thanks everyone for your encouraging words.
Tony, You are right about trying to get some of the wood. I plan to look into that but right now, the hardest hit areas still have restricted access.
Douglas – The amount of time it took this storm to do all the damage was probably less than 3 or 4 minutes. Yes, it’s hard to comprehend.
8iowa – I’m sure folks around here will take the storm warnings a little more serious. On a local news channel the other night, it was reported that one of the staff at NOAA requested that a tornado warning be issued for out town but his request was denied. When you think about it though, it wouldn’t have made any difference in this situation. No one was seriously hurt and no one could have prevented any of the damage.
Thanks again everyone for your kind words and prayers

-- Make things with wood.

junior, i know it hard to count your blessings at a time like that but they are certainly there for the counting !
good luck to you and your town

GLAD NO ONE WAS HURT

-- Robert, mountainwoodcarving@netzero.net

Thanks mrtrim and Robert.

Robert, I’m sure you’re familiar with BSG. They opened 58 yesterday and I drove the road today. Those photos don’t say anything. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. There are no words for it. There are still areas with restricted access but you can see a lot from 58. If you get down this way be sure and drive through the area. You won’t believe it.
JJ

-- Make things with wood.