Like a lot of other places in the Midwest yesterday we had horrible, scary weather. They were tracking its approach on the local news stations all morning and were warning of possible tornadoes that could be associated with the storm.
It was quite windy in the morning, but you sort of become blase about this sort of thing in the Midwest. They always warn you that things are going to get bad, but then the tornado never hits you and you just sort of ignore the warning sirens after a while.
I won't be ignoring them anymore.
I noticed that the sky was getting darker and then it started to rain a little. Then I noticed the martin birdhouse in the backyard was blowing around quite a bit (and it's on a steel pole). I opened the front door so I could see what was happening out front (stay away from windows and doors!!!) and just about then a huge rush of wind swept by the house like I've never seen before. It was powerful and was bending the trees almost to the ground. I have been in storms before and seen wind blow severely before, but this was different.
Next thing I know, one of the gourds that I had in the iron basket by the front door flew past me and one of the rocking chairs jumped off the porch and landed in the bushes. And when I say jumped off, it's not like it scooted across the porch being blown by the wind, it literally was picked up and dropped in the bushes.
The super duper heavy wind lasted maybe 30 seconds to one minutes at the most. And then it went back to its normal windiness that had been happening all morning.
I was a little shocked that it was over so soon and started to see if we had any damage.
In the backyard a bench was blown over,
my Black-Eyed-Susan vine and pumpkin in an urn were blown over
and one Hawthorn tree was split.
In the front yard the porch was blown around a little.
The rocker was in the bushes,
my mum was knocked over,
wreath knocked down
and generally just a lot of leaves and debris sitting around.
So I thought we had pretty much escaped the ordeal in good condition.
And then I walked around the garage and noticed this scene down the street. (I took this with magnification, so it's not quite as close at it looks).
It's a cinderblock building that used to be used as a farm market.
¼ mile from our house a tornado may have touched down. Crap!
And then while watching the news they had stories of a horse farm ¼ mile on the other side of that farm market that had two barns demolished.
This morning the National Weather Service confirmed that it was a tornado. A small one, but still a tornado.
That's a little too close for comfort for me. The next time there's a tornado siren blowing you'll find me in the basement.
And I won't come out until the rainbow appears.
Linking to A Southern Daydreamer's Outdoor Wednesday.
Tallulah's Antique Closet
Hi Pam, I am sorry about the damage to some of your things and glad you are ok. The pictures are amazing and even with the storm it is pretty country out there. Thank's for taking the time out to stop by today....Julian
Donnie
Those were some photos. I'm glad you're okay. The rainbow was beautiful though.
Debby
Yes, yesterday was a weird day. That storm blew in and left so fast. I saw your pictures on the news. Man, you were close. Yes, go to the basement. We were luckier than you. Glad you are okay.
La
I'm glad you weathered the storm alright! The wind yesterday was crazy. We didn't have tornado warnings up here, but we did have a severe thunderstorm. I was out trying to take picture of the windblown leaves when the siren was activated.
NanaDiana
Oh I don't like this wind at all. I was just about blown off the road traveling today...and LOOK AT YOUR PLACE! OMGOSH! I am so glad you are okay..and that your house is essentially alright but...man...WHO is going to be brave enough to finish up that Hawthorne tree? Scary that it hit so close to your house! Hugs- Diana
It's Just Me
Pam, as a previous mid-westerner and now a Floridian I know how scary storms can be. I'm glad that you're ok and only had clean-up kind of damage : )
Country Dreaming
Glad all is well with you. Sounds pretty scary to me.
Next time get to the basement!
Melinda
Jane
We had a tornado pass right over our house when we lived up in the panhandle of Texas....the house only three doors down lost its roof and a house less than a mile from us down the highway was leveled. It was mighty scary!!! I'm so glad you didn't have any bad damage...the loss of the tree is enough! And that rainbow at the end of the storm is sure a beautiful sight!!!
Sandy
Tornados can be very scary - our city had one 3 years ago, the hospital was destroyed along with many of the historic buildings. It came right behind my sons house, less than 250 yards from us. But you're right the wind and suddenly the lack of wind is very scary. So glad ya'll are okay..
cherry
scary ~ So glad everyone is safe what a beautiful rainbow picture ~ Happy Outdoor Wednesday!
hugs from Savannah, Cherry
Olive Cooper
Oh gracious Pam, I am so thankful you are okay. I am terriby afraid of tornados. Next time...basement...you promised. hugs♥olive
p.s. yours is the 3rd outdoor wed. rainbow I have seen...gorgeous
AntiqueChase
Amazing Outdoor Wed pictures.. Thanks for showing this California girl what wind really looks like!
Erin@likegrandmas
You caught a double rainbow in that shot Pam!! We had strong winds down here, but man, sounds like you were in the mix! I am glad I live where I do, the hills kind of protect us more. Super glad you are okay and unharmed:)
LV
That was a scary situation. So many different weather related things have happened this year. Glad you did not get any worse damage. It is great how even in a storm there is beauty in the end sometimes. Very pretty rainbow.
Brenda Kula
I grew up in Oklahoma. I have a healthy fear of tornadoes. You were lucky.
Brenda
MamaMonki
Glad your okay. Those same storms wreaked some havoc up here too. We had two touchdowns in Huntington county. I was ignoring the sirens too and playing upstairs with WeeMan. Next time I guess we'll be playing in the basement.