Was in my first tornado last night.
Apr 23rd 2011, 5:08 pm
#1
Unmitigated Gall
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: it's still too dark to tell
Posts: 16,162
Was in my first tornado last night.
Odd how things work out. Driving from Kentucky to Kansas City and collide with a tornado in St. Louis. Timing, fate, luck... I don't know.
The family and I were driving west on I-70, we were along side the St. Louis international airport. It was raining hard, then all of a sudden the streetlights all went out, transformers were blowing up, the wind increased to a level I have not experienced. My wife was driving, and we happened to be coming up to an overpass. We pulled under it and all hell broke loose. The truck started shaking, the wind noise increased to a roar, we couldn't see anything out of the windows, it looked like being in a carwash x1000. I had the kids get on the floor and put their pillows over their heads, my wife was driving so I had her lay on the seat and I layed over the top of her. Debri was hitting the truck, the impacts sounded like we were being hit by large rocks fired from a cannon. All this happened in the space of 30 seconds. And then it was over.
My truck... the windshield is cracked all over, there are numerous dents, the passenger side is ripped open like a sardine can, headlight busted out, a piece of metal of some kind ripped my front tire... but that can all be fixed. I'm just glad we we're OK.
We were stuck on I-70 from 8pm until 1am when the power lines that were down in front of and behind us were cleared and enough debri cleaned off the road that traffic could resume.
All in all, as far as life experiences go, one tornado is enough for me.
I'll post pics of the truck when I can.
The family and I were driving west on I-70, we were along side the St. Louis international airport. It was raining hard, then all of a sudden the streetlights all went out, transformers were blowing up, the wind increased to a level I have not experienced. My wife was driving, and we happened to be coming up to an overpass. We pulled under it and all hell broke loose. The truck started shaking, the wind noise increased to a roar, we couldn't see anything out of the windows, it looked like being in a carwash x1000. I had the kids get on the floor and put their pillows over their heads, my wife was driving so I had her lay on the seat and I layed over the top of her. Debri was hitting the truck, the impacts sounded like we were being hit by large rocks fired from a cannon. All this happened in the space of 30 seconds. And then it was over.
My truck... the windshield is cracked all over, there are numerous dents, the passenger side is ripped open like a sardine can, headlight busted out, a piece of metal of some kind ripped my front tire... but that can all be fixed. I'm just glad we we're OK.
We were stuck on I-70 from 8pm until 1am when the power lines that were down in front of and behind us were cleared and enough debri cleaned off the road that traffic could resume.
All in all, as far as life experiences go, one tornado is enough for me.
I'll post pics of the truck when I can.
Apr 23rd 2011, 5:10 pm
#2
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2010
Location: Northern California
Posts: 1,712
Re: Was in my first tornado last night.
Odd how things work out. Driving from Kentucky to Kansas City and collide with a tornado in St. Louis. Timing, fate, luck... I don't know.
The family and I were driving west on I-70, we were along side the St. Louis international airport. It was raining hard, then all of a sudden the streetlights all went out, transformers were blowing up, the wind increased to a level I have not experienced. My wife was driving, and we happened to be coming up to an overpass. We pulled under it and all hell broke loose. The truck started shaking, the wind noise increased to a roar, we couldn't see anything out of the windows, it looked like being in a carwash x1000. I had the kids get on the floor and put their pillows over their heads, my wife was driving so I had her lay on the seat and I layed over the top of her. Debri was hitting the truck, the impacts sounded like we were being hit by large rocks fired from a cannon. All this happened in the space of 30 seconds. And then it was over.
My truck... the windshield is cracked all over, there are numerous dents, the passenger side is ripped open like a sardine can, headlight busted out, a piece of metal of some kind ripped my front tire... but that can all be fixed. I'm just glad we we're OK.
We were stuck on I-70 from 8pm until 1am when the power lines that were down in front of and behind us were cleared and enough debri cleaned off the road that traffic could resume.
All in all, as far as life experiences go, one tornado is enough for me.
I'll post pics of the truck when I can.
The family and I were driving west on I-70, we were along side the St. Louis international airport. It was raining hard, then all of a sudden the streetlights all went out, transformers were blowing up, the wind increased to a level I have not experienced. My wife was driving, and we happened to be coming up to an overpass. We pulled under it and all hell broke loose. The truck started shaking, the wind noise increased to a roar, we couldn't see anything out of the windows, it looked like being in a carwash x1000. I had the kids get on the floor and put their pillows over their heads, my wife was driving so I had her lay on the seat and I layed over the top of her. Debri was hitting the truck, the impacts sounded like we were being hit by large rocks fired from a cannon. All this happened in the space of 30 seconds. And then it was over.
My truck... the windshield is cracked all over, there are numerous dents, the passenger side is ripped open like a sardine can, headlight busted out, a piece of metal of some kind ripped my front tire... but that can all be fixed. I'm just glad we we're OK.
We were stuck on I-70 from 8pm until 1am when the power lines that were down in front of and behind us were cleared and enough debri cleaned off the road that traffic could resume.
All in all, as far as life experiences go, one tornado is enough for me.
I'll post pics of the truck when I can.
Apr 23rd 2011, 5:22 pm
#3
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: Dubuque, Iowa, USA
Posts: 3,770
Re: Was in my first tornado last night.
Odd how things work out. Driving from Kentucky to Kansas City and collide with a tornado in St. Louis. Timing, fate, luck... I don't know.
The family and I were driving west on I-70, we were along side the St. Louis international airport. It was raining hard, then all of a sudden the streetlights all went out, transformers were blowing up, the wind increased to a level I have not experienced. My wife was driving, and we happened to be coming up to an overpass. We pulled under it and all hell broke loose. The truck started shaking, the wind noise increased to a roar, we couldn't see anything out of the windows, it looked like being in a carwash x1000. I had the kids get on the floor and put their pillows over their heads, my wife was driving so I had her lay on the seat and I layed over the top of her. Debri was hitting the truck, the impacts sounded like we were being hit by large rocks fired from a cannon. All this happened in the space of 30 seconds. And then it was over.
My truck... the windshield is cracked all over, there are numerous dents, the passenger side is ripped open like a sardine can, headlight busted out, a piece of metal of some kind ripped my front tire... but that can all be fixed. I'm just glad we we're OK.
We were stuck on I-70 from 8pm until 1am when the power lines that were down in front of and behind us were cleared and enough debri cleaned off the road that traffic could resume.
All in all, as far as life experiences go, one tornado is enough for me.
I'll post pics of the truck when I can.
The family and I were driving west on I-70, we were along side the St. Louis international airport. It was raining hard, then all of a sudden the streetlights all went out, transformers were blowing up, the wind increased to a level I have not experienced. My wife was driving, and we happened to be coming up to an overpass. We pulled under it and all hell broke loose. The truck started shaking, the wind noise increased to a roar, we couldn't see anything out of the windows, it looked like being in a carwash x1000. I had the kids get on the floor and put their pillows over their heads, my wife was driving so I had her lay on the seat and I layed over the top of her. Debri was hitting the truck, the impacts sounded like we were being hit by large rocks fired from a cannon. All this happened in the space of 30 seconds. And then it was over.
My truck... the windshield is cracked all over, there are numerous dents, the passenger side is ripped open like a sardine can, headlight busted out, a piece of metal of some kind ripped my front tire... but that can all be fixed. I'm just glad we we're OK.
We were stuck on I-70 from 8pm until 1am when the power lines that were down in front of and behind us were cleared and enough debri cleaned off the road that traffic could resume.
All in all, as far as life experiences go, one tornado is enough for me.
I'll post pics of the truck when I can.
In Louisville, experiencing Heavy Rain right now.
Jim.
Apr 23rd 2011, 5:27 pm
#4
WTF?
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: Homeostasis
Posts: 79,367
Re: Was in my first tornado last night.
Odd how things work out. Driving from Kentucky to Kansas City and collide with a tornado in St. Louis. Timing, fate, luck... I don't know.
The family and I were driving west on I-70, we were along side the St. Louis international airport. It was raining hard, then all of a sudden the streetlights all went out, transformers were blowing up, the wind increased to a level I have not experienced. My wife was driving, and we happened to be coming up to an overpass. We pulled under it and all hell broke loose. The truck started shaking, the wind noise increased to a roar, we couldn't see anything out of the windows, it looked like being in a carwash x1000. I had the kids get on the floor and put their pillows over their heads, my wife was driving so I had her lay on the seat and I layed over the top of her. Debri was hitting the truck, the impacts sounded like we were being hit by large rocks fired from a cannon. All this happened in the space of 30 seconds. And then it was over.
My truck... the windshield is cracked all over, there are numerous dents, the passenger side is ripped open like a sardine can, headlight busted out, a piece of metal of some kind ripped my front tire... but that can all be fixed. I'm just glad we we're OK.
We were stuck on I-70 from 8pm until 1am when the power lines that were down in front of and behind us were cleared and enough debri cleaned off the road that traffic could resume.
All in all, as far as life experiences go, one tornado is enough for me.
I'll post pics of the truck when I can.
The family and I were driving west on I-70, we were along side the St. Louis international airport. It was raining hard, then all of a sudden the streetlights all went out, transformers were blowing up, the wind increased to a level I have not experienced. My wife was driving, and we happened to be coming up to an overpass. We pulled under it and all hell broke loose. The truck started shaking, the wind noise increased to a roar, we couldn't see anything out of the windows, it looked like being in a carwash x1000. I had the kids get on the floor and put their pillows over their heads, my wife was driving so I had her lay on the seat and I layed over the top of her. Debri was hitting the truck, the impacts sounded like we were being hit by large rocks fired from a cannon. All this happened in the space of 30 seconds. And then it was over.
My truck... the windshield is cracked all over, there are numerous dents, the passenger side is ripped open like a sardine can, headlight busted out, a piece of metal of some kind ripped my front tire... but that can all be fixed. I'm just glad we we're OK.
We were stuck on I-70 from 8pm until 1am when the power lines that were down in front of and behind us were cleared and enough debri cleaned off the road that traffic could resume.
All in all, as far as life experiences go, one tornado is enough for me.
I'll post pics of the truck when I can.
Glad it was just property damage. I've been in storms like that ... they come up so fast and just batter the hell out of everything. Power lines down, roofs torn off, windows broken, crazy debris scattered everywhere. Then you don't hear until later it was a tornado or tornado force straight winds. Luckily I've always been inside though. I would not want to be on the road.
I'll bet you guys were shitting your pants.
Apr 23rd 2011, 5:28 pm
#5
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 13,111
Re: Was in my first tornado last night.
And you live in a mobile home, don't you - I think there must be a connection! 
Glad you are ok ... can't wait to see the pics!
Glad you are ok ... can't wait to see the pics!
Apr 23rd 2011, 5:29 pm
#6
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Joined: Jan 2006
Location: Dubuque, Iowa, USA
Posts: 3,770
Apr 23rd 2011, 5:29 pm
#7
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2010
Location: Just far enough away from the banjos.
Posts: 187
Re: Was in my first tornado last night.
Odd how things work out. Driving from Kentucky to Kansas City and collide with a tornado in St. Louis. Timing, fate, luck... I don't know.
The family and I were driving west on I-70, we were along side the St. Louis international airport. It was raining hard, then all of a sudden the streetlights all went out, transformers were blowing up, the wind increased to a level I have not experienced. My wife was driving, and we happened to be coming up to an overpass. We pulled under it and all hell broke loose. The truck started shaking, the wind noise increased to a roar, we couldn't see anything out of the windows, it looked like being in a carwash x1000. I had the kids get on the floor and put their pillows over their heads, my wife was driving so I had her lay on the seat and I layed over the top of her. Debri was hitting the truck, the impacts sounded like we were being hit by large rocks fired from a cannon. All this happened in the space of 30 seconds. And then it was over.
My truck... the windshield is cracked all over, there are numerous dents, the passenger side is ripped open like a sardine can, headlight busted out, a piece of metal of some kind ripped my front tire... but that can all be fixed. I'm just glad we we're OK.
We were stuck on I-70 from 8pm until 1am when the power lines that were down in front of and behind us were cleared and enough debri cleaned off the road that traffic could resume.
All in all, as far as life experiences go, one tornado is enough for me.
I'll post pics of the truck when I can.
The family and I were driving west on I-70, we were along side the St. Louis international airport. It was raining hard, then all of a sudden the streetlights all went out, transformers were blowing up, the wind increased to a level I have not experienced. My wife was driving, and we happened to be coming up to an overpass. We pulled under it and all hell broke loose. The truck started shaking, the wind noise increased to a roar, we couldn't see anything out of the windows, it looked like being in a carwash x1000. I had the kids get on the floor and put their pillows over their heads, my wife was driving so I had her lay on the seat and I layed over the top of her. Debri was hitting the truck, the impacts sounded like we were being hit by large rocks fired from a cannon. All this happened in the space of 30 seconds. And then it was over.
My truck... the windshield is cracked all over, there are numerous dents, the passenger side is ripped open like a sardine can, headlight busted out, a piece of metal of some kind ripped my front tire... but that can all be fixed. I'm just glad we we're OK.
We were stuck on I-70 from 8pm until 1am when the power lines that were down in front of and behind us were cleared and enough debri cleaned off the road that traffic could resume.
All in all, as far as life experiences go, one tornado is enough for me.
I'll post pics of the truck when I can.
We had an EF3 with 140mph winds touch down 5 miles from us two weeks ago and that's plenty close enough for me.
Apr 23rd 2011, 5:33 pm
#8
WTF?
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: Homeostasis
Posts: 79,367
Re: Was in my first tornado last night.
It's the sound that is so horrific. Like the gates of hell itself have been flung open.
Apr 23rd 2011, 5:58 pm
#9
Joined: Mar 2009
Location: Google Town
Posts: 7,532
Re: Was in my first tornado last night.
Odd how things work out. Driving from Kentucky to Kansas City and collide with a tornado in St. Louis. Timing, fate, luck... I don't know.
The family and I were driving west on I-70, we were along side the St. Louis international airport. It was raining hard, then all of a sudden the streetlights all went out, transformers were blowing up, the wind increased to a level I have not experienced. My wife was driving, and we happened to be coming up to an overpass. We pulled under it and all hell broke loose. The truck started shaking, the wind noise increased to a roar, we couldn't see anything out of the windows, it looked like being in a carwash x1000. I had the kids get on the floor and put their pillows over their heads, my wife was driving so I had her lay on the seat and I layed over the top of her. Debri was hitting the truck, the impacts sounded like we were being hit by large rocks fired from a cannon. All this happened in the space of 30 seconds. And then it was over.
My truck... the windshield is cracked all over, there are numerous dents, the passenger side is ripped open like a sardine can, headlight busted out, a piece of metal of some kind ripped my front tire... but that can all be fixed. I'm just glad we we're OK.
We were stuck on I-70 from 8pm until 1am when the power lines that were down in front of and behind us were cleared and enough debri cleaned off the road that traffic could resume.
All in all, as far as life experiences go, one tornado is enough for me.
I'll post pics of the truck when I can.
The family and I were driving west on I-70, we were along side the St. Louis international airport. It was raining hard, then all of a sudden the streetlights all went out, transformers were blowing up, the wind increased to a level I have not experienced. My wife was driving, and we happened to be coming up to an overpass. We pulled under it and all hell broke loose. The truck started shaking, the wind noise increased to a roar, we couldn't see anything out of the windows, it looked like being in a carwash x1000. I had the kids get on the floor and put their pillows over their heads, my wife was driving so I had her lay on the seat and I layed over the top of her. Debri was hitting the truck, the impacts sounded like we were being hit by large rocks fired from a cannon. All this happened in the space of 30 seconds. And then it was over.
My truck... the windshield is cracked all over, there are numerous dents, the passenger side is ripped open like a sardine can, headlight busted out, a piece of metal of some kind ripped my front tire... but that can all be fixed. I'm just glad we we're OK.
We were stuck on I-70 from 8pm until 1am when the power lines that were down in front of and behind us were cleared and enough debri cleaned off the road that traffic could resume.
All in all, as far as life experiences go, one tornado is enough for me.
I'll post pics of the truck when I can.
Apr 23rd 2011, 6:11 pm
#10
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,540
Re: Was in my first tornado last night.
I'm very glad you and the family are OK! It must have been very bad being stuck on the highway that long because of the power lines.
Apr 23rd 2011, 6:29 pm
#11
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Vermont
Posts: 3,264
Re: Was in my first tornado last night.
Glad you're all ok, it must have been a really frightening experience for you all.
Apr 23rd 2011, 6:31 pm
#12
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,903
Re: Was in my first tornado last night.
Apr 23rd 2011, 7:07 pm
#14
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Joined: Feb 2004
Location: Midlands - MA - CO-CA
Posts: 2,763
Re: Was in my first tornado last night.
Glad you and your family are all ok, ABY. A pretty frightening experience. Were you able to get the truck fixed and carry on with your journey?
Apr 23rd 2011, 7:08 pm
#15
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukie, Oregon
Posts: 9,965
Re: Was in my first tornado last night.
Not an experience anyone should have. Very glad the only damage was to the truck and you are all OK.