Tornado?

Wednesday.  June 1st.  The rain was beating against the windows as I worked at my desk.  I was very determined to complete my list of business items for SureFire Dogs.  Winee kept bringing me a toy and whining, Sundance was restless.  'It's only 4:20 guys, not yet time for supper!  Go lie down!'  By 4:30, Sundance was getting agitated.  At almost 14, I figured he needed to go outside.

I leave the TV on during the day, it becomes white noise, clearly I had not heard any of the news yet.  As I passed by the den to let the dogs outside, something about the newscaster's voice caught my ear.  I turned back to investigate.  'The tornado has hit downtown Springfield! Wilbraham residents need to go to their basements NOW!'  That was all I heard.  I was trying to process how a tornado could be coming our way.  The dogs were all gathered around me at that point.  I tossed some dog beds into the basement, grabbed my laptop, phone, and some dog cookies.  Just to be safe,  I followed through with the advice of the newscaster, and brought the dogs into the basement.  Settled them into their beds and then thought of a few other items I would like to have.  I came back upstairs and noticed a line of cars on the street.  Kids, all dressed up, Prom night.. I wondered if they knew a tornado was coming ..  I saw them hurrying into the house down the street .. they must know.  I turned back to my kitchen, found my chocolate and a beverage to bring back to the basement.

It was 4:50, I looked out into my back yard.  Some of my agility equipment was by the pool.  I briefly thought of moving it.  It was then I saw the debris flying through the air over the brook just 100 feet away.  Pink insulation and shingles were being sucked southward over the treetops.  It reminded me of what I have seen on the weather channel.  It was real.  I was mesmerized by the scene and had to pull myself away to get to safety.  As I retreated to the basement, the power went out.  I noticed Jason had  texted me several times 'They are saying you should be in the basement, a tornado just touched down on main st in springfield'.  I tried texting him back, but it would not go through.

At 4:55, the wind had subsided somewhat, the rain had stopped.  I came up to investigate.  I called Jason and got through.  We were able to talk for a few minutes before the cell service went out.  I saw a fire truck come racing down the street and a few of the neighbors started coming out from their houses.  The police cars soon followed as well as the EMTs.  With the increasing activity, I ventured outdoors and soon found out the tornado had hit Brookside Circle, the end of our street.

A few of the neighbors and I walked down to see.  I never expected to see the aftermath of a tornado in person.  Much harder to comprehend than seeing it on the weather channel. The street was impassable and unrecognizable.  80 year old trees were completely uprooted and had crashed through rooftops.

A UPS delivery truck was covered with a large tree.  The young delivery man, white as a ghost, said he curled into a ball and crawled under the steering wheel.  'I thought I was going to die' he said as he stumbled past us.

These pictures were taken 24 hours later after a busy day of starting the cleanup.

 It is now seven days later and the huge tree trucks continue to leave the street with the debris on an hourly basis.  The cleanup effort by the town, neighbors, and volunteers has been wonderful to witness. The spirits of those affected is generally good.

I thank God and my guardian angels for my good fortune and safety.  I replay the scene I watched in my backyard as the debris flew by and wonder why I was so lucky.