We're not in Kansas anymore!

[bikerchick68]

glad to hear you pulled thru!

and yep, we were in the back of the El Camino. The ditch was by the mobile home we had so she'd just drive over, and pull it in. The next day the farmer next door would get it out with his tractor. This went on for 2 yrs before we moved to a place that was safer to stay indoors. As a kid, I just assumed EVERYONE did that and never realized how terrifying it must have been for my poor mom.

[sundial]

Any TE'ers from Kansas City, MO? Are you guys ok?

Arkansans?

[Mr. Bloom]

One year Memphis had a tornado in December. Ack!

It was actually 1993 the weekend after Thanksgiving in Germantown. We were putting up the Christmas tree that day when the tornado touched down 1/4 mile south of us and killed several people 1/2 mile to the east. A freaky freaky day! A do recall that it took me about 10 minutes to clean out the closet under the stairs to get into...of course, by then the tornado was gone!

Sundial, we've survived two near misses with tornados and know how terrifying it can be. Very glad you (and all others) are OK.

[sundial]

Yes, and I'm glad the Silvers house was left intact. I know with these erratic weather patterns that this is just the beginning.

[Tri Girl]

Twisters are scary stuff, especially if you've ever been in danger of getting hit by one. A few years ago a rather large one passed within a mile of our house. There were 4 adults and 6 dogs huddled in my neighbors underground storm shelter. Glad the Silvers and others are safe here. Let's hope everyone fares as well.

Sadly, I've become so accustomed to tornadoes I hardly get scared anymore. Thursday night there were tornado sirens going off in my neighborhood (when one goes off in OKC, they all go off), but I knew the rotation was about 10 miles to the East (past us), so DH and I rode to the grocery store on our bikes to go shopping. We looked a sight- tornado sirens blaring, us on our bikes with our panniers. It was kinda funny seeing the looks from people in cars. There was a small tornado east of OKC. We're not reckless, but you get this so often here, you know when you're potentially in danger. We had some really strong straight line winds later that night with gigantic hail, but we're OK. Now those storms are beating up the SE. I hope everyone down there is OK!

Just a side note, 9 years ago today (May 3, 1999) was our worst outbreak of tornadoes in history when we had the highest measured F5 tornado on record. My poor city was pummeled (OKC). Those of you in the central plains remember it well.

Hang tight everyone, and stay safe!!!