Tornado Outbreak

[BigTruck]

Some rough weather plowed through the south today.  I know Tuscaloosa, AL was hit hard, my In-Laws live there but they were unharmed, they said half the city was leveled though.  I know the tornado that hit them started in Mississippi and kept on going (on the ground) through most of Alabama. 

Hope none of our members were hit or will be hit.  (it's rolling hard)

[patchz]

It's not over yet. They extended the tornado watch for our area from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. We are at the southern end of the line of storms, but not quite out of the danger zone.

The Weather Channel put out a TorCon of 10 for the first time ever. And there is already a record number of tornadoes for the month.

Like you, I hope no one else gets hurt but there have been some fatalities in Alabama and Tennessee today.

[H]

It's not over yet. They extended the tornado watch for our area from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. We are at the southern end of the line of storms, but not quite out of the danger zone.

I couldn't help but take notice that it seems Tornado Alley is about to encompass most of the country... you're all engulfed in passing wind.
My former boss in Nebraska told me he'd have a job for me if I could get back there -- aside from the long bicycle trip (public transits seem to only get me as close as Lincoln), memories of my short flight in a tornado have not left me wanting more.

8-)

[patchz]

It's not over yet. They extended the tornado watch for our area from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. We are at the southern end of the line of storms, but not quite out of the danger zone.

I couldn't help but take notice that it seems Tornado Alley is about to encompass most of the country... you're all engulfed in passing wind.
My former boss in Nebraska told me he'd have a job for me if I could get back there -- aside from the long bicycle trip (public transits seem to only get me as close as Lincoln), memories of my short flight in a tornado have not left me wanting more.

8-)

Engulfed in passing wind? Well, I do my share, but I'm definitely not alone.

Flight in a tornado? Were you in an aircraft or or just along for the ride?

As to not wanting more, I've been that way ever since Katrina.

[H]

Flight in a tornado? Were you in an aircraft or or just along for the ride?

Sorry for the delay -- I got lost in Nat'l Geo. and History Channel Youtube vids.
I've mentioned it before... while in Beatrice, NE, the sirens sounded and my mobile home was immediately rocking and there was a big bang behind me (a limb was speared through the wall). I went on my knees in prayer, selfishly for myself first -- then for the neighborhood (the only place with major damage was a larger mobile home, tipped over, on the other side of the drive). I actually didn't know I'd been airborne until everything subsided and I ventured to open the door; the mobile home was angled a bit sideways across the back of my parking spot, fortunately never touching my Camaro which, evidently, the tornado had no interest in.

8-)

[Tyler012]

Wow, I've chased the durn things but never come quite that close to one. Glad your still here flying with us mate.

[H]

Wow, I've chased the durn things but never come quite that close to one. Glad your still here flying with us mate.

While still in the Air Force and a while thereafter (in Hastings, NE), I had a modified mobile CB I used as a base station (also made a full wave antenna and tweaked the receiving circuitry; occasionally conversed over 75-miles); 'spotters' would go out during a storm, radio any tornadoes they spotted and I'd relay the info -- but I've never actually seen a tornado up close, even having been 'in' one.

8-)

[patchz]

I've never actually seen one either, though I have been in close proximity to several over the years. The problem in being able to see one here, is the trees and hills.

The only locations one might actually be able to see one would be at an airport or on a high hill. And then they are often rain wrapped, so you still would not be able to

see it. At the moment, I can think of four that have caused damage, one being at the afore mentioned airport, and one F4 that caused a damage path several miles long

and almost a mile wide. Yet, Twister has been my favorite movie for a long time. Go figure.

[U4EA]

My niece lives off Mcfarland, about a mile and a half from the McFarland Mall in Tuscaloosa.  Her house and the most of her neighborhood was spared a direct hit but suffered moderate to heavy damage from falling/flying debris.  They got a number on cinderblocks through their roof and into the house.......and a two-foot tall Toyota in their side yard.

If y'all are of the prayin' sort, please think of all that were/are affected!

The situation in Tuscaloosa is beyond words at the moment! They're gonna be short on water, two big tanks gone, short on fire equipment, 5 firehouses gone, short on pretty much everything.............

Just pray!  And if you're of the mind to, give to the Salvation Army or the Red Cross.

[U4EA]

I've never actually seen one either, though I have been in close proximity to several over the years. The problem in being able to see one here, is the trees and hills.

The only locations one might actually be able to see one would be at an airport or on a high hill. And then they are often rain wrapped, so you still would not be able to

see it. At the moment, I can think of four that have caused damage, one being at the afore mentioned airport, and one F4 that caused a damage path several miles long

and almost a mile wide. Yet, Twister has been my favorite movie for a long time. Go figure.

If you like Twister, you'll love this: http://severestudios.com/

I've spent more than a few short-sleep nights recently on that site!

[beaky]

A funnel allegedly touched down in NJ today; very unusual.
I was in Manhattan when it happened (guy I was working for is a fire chief in northern NJ, and someone called him to report the tornado), and a very dark, angry cloud smothered the city briefly, hammering it with rain.

[H]

[quote][ch960] r not

[BigTruck]

I didn't post this in the original post as to not draw too much attention, but our grandmother was missing all night but they found her this morning, a bit scratched and bruised but alive.  Her house was blown away completely while she laid on the floor for shelter.  Relieved to say all my family in Tuscaloosa is accounted for.  Sadly a friend of the family was lost though.

I've seen several tornadoes up close and far away in my lifetime, but never that size.  The video of it approaching Birmingham AL was simply breath taking.

[patchz]

My heart and prayers go out to all the victims, as I have seen up close the aftermath of a violent F4. I spent several days patrolling the area and helping any way I could.

U4EA, I'm glad your relatives survived but they and their neighbors are still in for some rough times. Prayers on the way.

Justin, glad your grandmother is ok. Sorry for the loss of your friend.

I have relatives in North Alabama, but they are ok. They had tornadoes east, west, and south of them, but thankfully not on top of them.

[U4EA]

[quote]I didn't post this in the original post as to not draw too much attention, but our grandmother was missing all night but they found her this morning, a bit scratched and bruised but alive.