Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Dark Times

Thank you all for your concern, my apologies for being so long in posting a status. Most importantly, we are all safe. We were without power until yesterday and I have been putting up our in-house camping supplies, washing clothes, took apart the insides of the refrigerator and freezer to thoroughly cleaning them. I had removed the food on about the third day but took the opportunity to clean since we had no food in them at all. Had to get to the grocery store for a few items. I knew that if I got on the computer I would be too long getting off. Our biggest relief is that BigBoy was not hurt since he was in Tuscaloosa at school. His apartment is basically located in the area, yards from the devastation of the tornado there. It was a day filled with numerous tornado warnings here and I was on the phone with him when he said a warning was just issued there. He was pumping gas. I had warned him the day before, that morning....always, to watch and listen about the weather and take it seriously. He did, thank God. His fiance was with him (will not refer to her as BigGirl), they were closer to his apartment than hers so went there, watched the tv coverage along with his roommate and two friends from a 2nd floor apartment. They watched the tornado approach until taking cover in the closet, heard the roar, felt the shaking and walked out safely to screams and a sight of rubble and devastation just yards away. Their building has some damage but is standing, unlike apartments across the street, houses, businesses, restaurants, Krispy Kreme, their favorite Japanese restaurant, a mall, much more......just unimaginable. Miraculously, his vehicle only lost windows on the passenger side, he and his friends had parked them in an area that was fortunate. He made it home Friday morning, obviously a bit traumatized. Dodged a bullet. An abrupt, tragic end to his time at school for the University of Alabama cancelled final exams and postponed graduation, semester is over. He has no desire to go back, but will have to in the future. Sadly, 39 confirmed deaths there with an astounding 300 + still missing. It was an EF5 tornado, 200+ mph, the strongest there is, and rare. There were 28 tornadoes that touched down in Alabama, another EF5 and EF4s. But we are fortunate, inconvenienced, big deal. Relieved, greatly. Sorrowful. 24-7 radio news running by generators for days due to all of North Alabama area entirely without power because the 9 main stations were twisted like toothpicks and the workers here, along with help from kind help, have done an outstanding job of getting most of us power in less than a week. Could be some hiccups along the way because this is a quick fix, so what, all of my family and friends are safe. Schools have been closed since last Wednesday.


I know this is small but this indicates the paths of the tornadoes across our state. There were hundreds reported on but not all touched down, reminiscent of 1974, the last most devastating outbreak. Like me, my mother and dad worried about my oldest brother away at school while we spent alot of time in the hallway under a mattress through the night. I never forgot that time, we spent days without power then too, three I believe. This will be my children's 1974. Something they will never forget and certainly will keep them cautious when severe weather approaches.



Please pray for those missing and those suffering. Thank you for your concern, means alot to me.

10 comments:

  1. OMGosh.. what a horrible experience to have to go thru and you so far away, worried and not able to get to him. I hope he was able to get in touch with you as soon as he could to let you know he was fine. Good thinking on where to go. I have been worried, but knew the Electricity was out.. So I was hoping thats all it was. Thanks for letting us know you and Family are OK. Much relieved to know. I feel so bad for all those that lost everything and lives too.

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  2. I am so happy for you and your family! Glad that you survived this horrible act of nature.
    Your son did have a close call and that had to be harrowing for all concerned. YOU and he and his family and his fiance and her family as well.
    What a fast way to grow up! Oy.
    Again, sorrowful for all the losses of lives; glad you are okay.

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  3. What to say? Deepest sympathies to those who lost loved ones (I can't imagine the grief and shock) and their homes, businesses. So glad your Big Boy and his fiance, friends are safe. We did not have nearly as much devastation here in NC as you did... but it was substantial and also included loss of life. Terrible storms, that, as you say, will remain in our memories for years to come.

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  4. I am so glad to hear that you and yours are ok. Just unimaginable. Prayers for all coming your way.

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  5. So glad you and the family are ok - how awful this all has been. All those lost people!
    Not much more one can say except thank god you are all ok.

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  6. OMG I didn't know this affected you and BIgBOy too, am so sorry and yet so grateful that you are all okay, that is after all what counts!

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  7. Hi Teresa - Glad to hear that you and yours are OK.... Hope you are still OK with all the flooding....
    Bill

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  8. So glad you posted an update. How scary for BigBoy to have been so close. I remember the tornadoes of '74. One went up the street only two houses away from my apartment then. I remember it well.
    Take care and I am thinking about all of you down there.

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  9. Just read this, Teresa, and did not realize how close the devastation came to you and yours. So glad you are okay. And like you still praying for those affect in AL and now Missouri.....

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  10. oh my goodness. I am very relieved to read that all is well with your family. Sorry that your son had to experience something so horrible.
    Congrats on the graduations.

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