The Tornado

I'm watching the devastation in Moore Oklahoma on the news. I remember another tornado from 34 years ago.

When we pulled into Wichita Falls Texas in our tractor-trailer on April 8, 1979, hubby said he was feeling awful and did not argue when I suggested the emergency room.  A bad sign.  He was immediately admitted with a case of pneumonia. We were sitting in his room when news of an impending tornado came over the TV.  "We don't have to worry" he said "until we hear a train coming".  As soon as he said it there came the sound of a locomotive that felt like it was right next door.  He got dressed and by the time we left his room injured people were already filling up the hospital lobby.  We made it to the truck somehow and luckily it was OK.  Hubby chased away two would-be thieves with his pellet gun (it looked real) who were trying to siphon our fuel (silly them, it was diesel and not much use to them) and we drove away from the devastation. We headed to Amarillo and when I saw the Big Texan Steak sign I finally exhaled.

At least here in Florida when a hurricane is on the horizon we get plenty of advance notice to buy supplies and formulate a plan.  With a tornado you can go from OK to sheer terror in a matter of minutes. 

My prayers are with the folks in Oklahoma...