Big Storms

Last night (well, really this morning) we had very bad storms in our area. They have confirmed that at least 4 tornados touched down. I know that the winds at our house were 87 mph. We are ok, but I have several friends who have extensive damage to their homes.

Here is how it unfolded at our house. Another thunderstorm passed through, which is not uncommon this time of year. I put Landon to bed and headed to bed myself at about 10:45. Was sleeping pretty well until about 3:30 when very loud howling winds woke me up. The rain was pelting my bedroom windows. I was a little uneasy. At about 3:45 I got up to turn on the TV to see what the weatherman had to say. Things were not looking good. A huge storm was passing over and the squall line was right over us. This was bringing the 80+ mph winds. Having been in a tornado in Arkadelphia in college I get a bit nervous in the bad weather. Just to be on the prepared side, I put some blankets and pillows in the bath tub in our guest bath. The only room in the house without windows. I made myself get back in the bed and not get to worked up about it. I was still glued to the TV - when it would work - I HATE satellite!! After I had been laying there for about 15 minutes the tornado sirens went off behind my house. To say that I got out of bed quickly would be an understatement. At first I wasn't sure if it was the sirens or an ambulance passing by, but when it didn't go away I got movin'. I ran and got Landon from his crib and put him in the bathtub filled with towels. He went right back to sleep. I sat in there with him for a few minutes, but was so frusterated that I didn't know what was going on. No TV, and we didn't have a portable radio that worked. Then, I remembered that we purchased a NOAA weather radio for Shannon's dad for Christmas. And seeing as it is April and we still haven't mailed those gifts, I ran to the office, unwrapped his gift, and put it to work. I felt much better having it in hand. That radio is really neat (we are keeping this one, and buying an unused one for his dad). The storms passed with very little damage in my neighborhood, so I went to bed (well, I laid there for the next hour and a half). Since Landon was sound a sleep I just left him in the tub. At about 5:45 (15 minutes after my alarm went off) Landon calls from the bathroom, "Moooooommmmmy." So I went to get him and moved him to his crib, telling him it was too early to be awake. He fell asleep right away. I managed to get myself out of bed at about 6:15 (45 minutes late) and got myself ready for work. When I went in to get Landon up and ready for school, the first thing he said to me was, "I sleep in the tub, momma!" I didn't even think he was awake enough to know what happened during the night. When I got him to school, the first thing he told his teacher was, "I sleep in the tub, Mrs. Tamie!" I was concerned that he was going to ask to sleep in the tub again tonight, but he didn't.

Shannon is back at home tonight, and we are glad. We really missed him last night.

Here you can see some photos submited by residents to the local news station.
And here to see a news video.