We lived in IL for decades. We have lived through many serious tornadoes. We were mostly lucky ... although in our last house, we did have roof damage from one. Those storms are so selective in their paths. There could be total devastation nearby and your home was untouched! I think we're a little safer where we are in VA.
Glad to hear that Mrs.C! Somewhere there is a "tornado alley". Do you know where? I think it would be very scaring seeing a funnel heading directly at you. I guess they have storm cellars there? Thank you for your reply and Happy Saturday to thee! :)
I read that Tornado alley is ... "The heart of Tornado Alley includes parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, eastern Colorado, and South Dakota. Less intense areas of Tornado Alley include parts of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Iowa, Tennessee, Kentucky, Wisconsin, and Minnesota." We had many tornado scares in Central IL too. It's very scary, but a lot of times, you do have some kind of warning. That can help a little. Happy Saturday to you too! :)
Did you have a storm cellar Mrs. C? I've seen movies where tornadoes were heading toward a home and the whole family goes down to the storm cellar and waits it out. The noise is defening. When it stops they come on and see their entire home gone or damaged very badly. Scary. When I lived in Highland Park (Detroit suburb) we had a basement where mom did the laundry and during the summer she and her gal pals would do a lot of pickling and canning (Mason jars) of fruit. I don't recall if there were a stove down there but it was very cool and kinda dark. They might have used the kitchen burners and then carried things down there to put in the jars. There was a roll away bed where I sat and colored (I was 3 when we moved to California) and the ladies were having a great time. So we had home-made pickles year round and in winter we had delicious canned (mason jars) fruit. We had shelves down there for the jars. I think there were three ladies. Nice memory! :) Thank you for your reply! :)
I think people living rurally might have had storm cellars. But in the cities ... we were just instructed to go into our basements, or to designated storm centers ... like schools or other public buildings. Normally, the storms pass very quickly, so you don't have to take shelter for a long time .. unless you had damage to your home. Sounds like you have a lot of nice memories Rosie! Have a great day.
Thankfully, I haven't been in severe weather. The only weather event I've ever experienced that could even come close to being classified as "dangerous" was ball lightning 3 feet above my head. It was more impressive than dangerous.
Twice. Golf course in Charleston, SC during a vicious thunderstorm in 1976. I thought that was last day on earth. I don't believe I had ever run so fast. Golf course in Bedford, MI, 2000. Same as above.
Benedict Arnold 