And I don't even live anywhere NEAR Kansas

Snowflake · 01-15-2006, 04:10 PM

Well, Friday night we had a nice little tornado touch down in the little town of Warrenton, VA. I had just gone to bed (about 12:30) and ignorance is bliss! It was fierce and it was short and it was destructive! I live on a 65 acre farm in a little 2 bedroom cottage. Surrounded by pasture mostly, but plenty of trees in my yard, including a 60 foot tall behemoth under which I park my car.

The wind was fierce, the rain and God knows what else was hitting the storm windows sideways. It was fast, lasted about 5 minutes and I heard many huge CRACKS and saw a gigantic FLASH. The power went out and so did the phones. I looked out, all around me pitch blackness and a weird stillness. I tossed another blanket on the bed and went to sleep.

So Saturday, I get up and get dressed, the power is still out and no phones, okay. I go out to take a look and wow! The tree in the pasture outside my office is sheered off at about the 4 foot high point (it's about 16 inches across in diameter and was close to 20 feet high) and then the tree right next to my office missed the house by inches! Outside my living room window there is a very tall stump of a tree trunk (it's about 6 feet of what it left of a tree trunk, covered in ivy, I always thought kind of attractive) That is split down the center light it was hit by lightening! The driveway to the property is littered with trees and the main road is impassable, downed power, phone lines and HUGE trees are now matchsticks!

So today, once the power came on, I cleaned out the fridge of all the cooked food, milk, veggies, etc. and took the trash to where the bins are on the ppoperty and found one of the utility buildings completely destroyed, flattened. The lanlord's place lost 2 humongous trees. The front of the property had 6 large pine trees along the rock wall, every one, sheered off at the top of the fence line! And across the street, there stood our mailboxes, unharmed, go figure.

Power was out all day, came on for about 2 hours Saturday evening, but the high winds of the day (and a freak snowstorm blowing snow sideways) continued on through the night, knocked power out again. It was frickin freezing last night too! Fortunatley my quilt is nice and heavy. Even little Tango (my kitty) gave it up and slept with Mom to keep warm! :-)

Power was restored around 3 today and phones about 4. It did give me the opportunity to bundle up with a book and read it through.

Give me rain and earthquakes in California anytime! Can't wait to get home again!

Donna

wendybeth · 01-15-2006, 04:17 PM

Wow!!!!

I'm so happy you're okay! I've been through a couple of tornados, and I agree- earthquakes, while scary, are not as frightening as a tornado. It's not just the funnel clouds- it's the wild lightning and high winds and all the stuff flying about. Not at all fun.

((((Hugs)))))
Glad you're safe!

Kevy Baby · 01-15-2006, 05:02 PM

Not only do you not live in Kansas, you don't live in a mobile home!

Glad to hear you are in one piece, even if your surroundings aren't Hope you can get back to safe 'ol Cali soon with only earthquakes, floods, fires, and riots.

CoasterMatt · 01-15-2006, 05:39 PM

So I guess we're really doomed, living in California, in a mobile home...

Not Afraid · 01-15-2006, 05:46 PM

WOW!

Just WOW!

Tornados are among the scariest of Nature's disasters. They are so random, sudden and violent. Not that earthquakes are a piece of cake but we're pretty damn good about preparing for them and making it through them. So far, that is. Knock on wood.

€uroMeinke · 01-15-2006, 05:53 PM

You realize of course, that moving back to California reduces your chances of seeing Oz?

CoasterMatt · 01-15-2006, 06:33 PM

When I saw the thread title, I instantly thought of "Existential Blues" by Tom "T-Bone" Stankus... (mp3)

Cadaverous Pallor · 01-15-2006, 06:55 PM

Wow, good to hear your ok! What a crazy thing to wake up to

Moonliner · 01-15-2006, 07:07 PM

Once again proof that God loves Maryland more than Virginia!

All we had was a bit of wind and some rain.

Snowflake · 01-16-2006, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moonliner

Once again proof that God loves Maryland more than Virginia!

All we had was a bit of wind and some rain.

Ha! I do confess, I love Bethesda (reminds me of CA) and there is the AFI in Silver Spring.

01-15-2006, 04:10 PM	#1
Snowflake lost in the fog Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 7,831	And I don't even live anywhere NEAR Kansas Well, Friday night we had a nice little tornado touch down in the little town of Warrenton, VA. I had just gone to bed (about 12:30) and ignorance is bliss! It was fierce and it was short and it was destructive! I live on a 65 acre farm in a little 2 bedroom cottage. Surrounded by pasture mostly, but plenty of trees in my yard, including a 60 foot tall behemoth under which I park my car. The wind was fierce, the rain and God knows what else was hitting the storm windows sideways. It was fast, lasted about 5 minutes and I heard many huge CRACKS and saw a gigantic FLASH. The power went out and so did the phones. I looked out, all around me pitch blackness and a weird stillness. I tossed another blanket on the bed and went to sleep. So Saturday, I get up and get dressed, the power is still out and no phones, okay. I go out to take a look and wow! The tree in the pasture outside my office is sheered off at about the 4 foot high point (it's about 16 inches across in diameter and was close to 20 feet high) and then the tree right next to my office missed the house by inches! Outside my living room window there is a very tall stump of a tree trunk (it's about 6 feet of what it left of a tree trunk, covered in ivy, I always thought kind of attractive) That is split down the center light it was hit by lightening! The driveway to the property is littered with trees and the main road is impassable, downed power, phone lines and HUGE trees are now matchsticks! So today, once the power came on, I cleaned out the fridge of all the cooked food, milk, veggies, etc. and took the trash to where the bins are on the ppoperty and found one of the utility buildings completely destroyed, flattened. The lanlord's place lost 2 humongous trees. The front of the property had 6 large pine trees along the rock wall, every one, sheered off at the top of the fence line! And across the street, there stood our mailboxes, unharmed, go figure. Power was out all day, came on for about 2 hours Saturday evening, but the high winds of the day (and a freak snowstorm blowing snow sideways) continued on through the night, knocked power out again. It was frickin freezing last night too! Fortunatley my quilt is nice and heavy. Even little Tango (my kitty) gave it up and slept with Mom to keep warm! :-) Power was restored around 3 today and phones about 4. It did give me the opportunity to bundle up with a book and read it through. Give me rain and earthquakes in California anytime! Can't wait to get home again! Donna __________________ Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. - Oscar Wilde
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01-15-2006, 04:17 PM	#2
wendybeth Nevermind Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,847	Wow!!!! I'm so happy you're okay! I've been through a couple of tornados, and I agree- earthquakes, while scary, are not as frightening as a tornado. It's not just the funnel clouds- it's the wild lightning and high winds and all the stuff flying about. Not at all fun. ((((Hugs))))) Glad you're safe! __________________
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01-15-2006, 05:02 PM	#3
Kevy Baby Chowder Head Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Yes Posts: 18,500	Not only do you not live in Kansas, you don't live in a mobile home! Glad to hear you are in one piece, even if your surroundings aren't Hope you can get back to safe 'ol Cali soon with only earthquakes, floods, fires, and riots. __________________ The thing about quotes on the internet is that you cannot verify their validity. - Abraham Lincoln
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01-15-2006, 05:39 PM	#4
CoasterMatt BRAAAAAAAINS! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: One Step Beyond... Posts: 8,802	So I guess we're really doomed, living in California, in a mobile home... __________________ Do you like my photography? Visit photosbymatt.tumblr.com to purchase prints!
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01-15-2006, 05:46 PM	#5
Not Afraid HI! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 17,108	WOW! Just WOW! Tornados are among the scariest of Nature's disasters. They are so random, sudden and violent. Not that earthquakes are a piece of cake but we're pretty damn good about preparing for them and making it through them. So far, that is. Knock on wood.
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01-15-2006, 05:53 PM	#6
€uroMeinke L'Hédoniste Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: A.S.C.O.T. Posts: 8,671	You realize of course, that moving back to California reduces your chances of seeing Oz? __________________ I would believe only in a God that knows how to Dance. Friedrich Nietzsche
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01-15-2006, 06:33 PM	#7
CoasterMatt BRAAAAAAAINS! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: One Step Beyond... Posts: 8,802	When I saw the thread title, I instantly thought of "Existential Blues" by Tom "T-Bone" Stankus... (mp3) __________________ Do you like my photography? Visit photosbymatt.tumblr.com to purchase prints!
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01-15-2006, 06:55 PM	#8
Cadaverous Pallor ohhhh baby Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Parental Bliss Posts: 12,364	Wow, good to hear your ok! What a crazy thing to wake up to __________________ The second star to the right shines in the night for you
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01-15-2006, 07:07 PM	#9
Moonliner 8/30/14 - Disneyland -10k or Bust. Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 9,022	Once again proof that God loves Maryland more than Virginia! All we had was a bit of wind and some rain. __________________ - Taking it one step at a time.
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