Thursday, February 12, 2009

Tornadoes In February . . .

You have probably seen the news reports about the tornadoes that hit Oklahoma on Tuesday. We only experienced severe thunderstorms here in the Tulsa area. I have lived in Oklahoma my entire life & have seen the devastation of tornadoes, but I've never experienced it in February. Just 2 weeks ago we had a serious ice storm. Oklahoma weather is infamous for it's sudden & drastic changes.


My Uncle Jack, Aunt Lucille, cousin Cheryl @http://cherysapplebasket.blogspot.com/, & Great Aunt Hermina live in Edmond, OK. I wasn't able to make contact with them until late Tuesday night. I was relieved to hear they were safe. The tornado touched down about 2 miles from them. My blogging friend, Stacey, @http://poofingthepillows.blogspot.com/lives in Edmond, she was spared any damage to her home. Another blogging friend, Darlene @ http://darlenesdays-darlene.blogspot.com/, lives in the community of Lone Grove, OK, where 8 people were killed Tuesday night when a tornado touched down. Please pray for this town as they face the days ahead.

We're fortunate & blessed to have a storm shelter in our garage. We had it installed a few years ago. The company is called Ground Zero Shelters, http://www.groundzeroshelter.com/.

The concrete is cut out & a hole is dug with a small backhoe. The door slides open for easy access to the shelter that holds 6 to 8 people.

As you can see, you drive your car over the shelter, which means when you need to take cover you don't have to move the car or open the garage door. We have only used the shelter twice, but we feel it was a good investment in the safety of our family. We lived through a horrible tornado in Mannford, OK in 1984 which destroyed many homes, churches, & schools. We took shelter in our neighbor's cellar that Sunday morning in late April. We were blessed with no damage to our home. Those nearby were not as fortunate.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank God you were spared of that disaster. My cousin lives in OK and she also has one of those storm shelters. If I lived in OK, I cetainly would have one too.

Hugs,
Chris

Shelley said...

I think it's so smart to have one of those storm shelters! Glad to hear your famiy & friends are ok.

Janene said...

What a great idea to have one of those installed, especially where you live!
We haven't had such a devestating tornado like that in Ohio in over 20 years! I am so very thankful.
I think about those of you who like in Oklahoma and my heart breaks for all of the devesation.
I am glad you were all spared.

Beth Herring said...

I am so thankful that you and your family are OK. I live in Louisiana and we have some pretty crazy weather here sometimes too! I enjoyed coming to your blog and look forward to reading more.

Happy Valentines day to you too! That is my anniversary - 24 years to a wonderful Man of God.

Blessings,
Beth

Stacey said...

Good Morning Carol. We don't have a storm shelter and at times like Monday I wish we did.

I didn't realize Darlene was actually in Lone Grove. We have to pray for that community of people. They truly have been devastated.

Yolanda said...

I was just comming over to check on you and what a blessing to read your safe. Praise God!

Picket said...

So glad to hear you made it thru the storms...my oldest daughter & her family live in Oklahoma & everything was mild around them compared to other places...that is a great idea for a shelter...I have never even heard of those like that....Hope you have a great Thursday.

Patsy said...

I am going to talk to the Bennie about one of these shelters.So glad you and family are safe.
Patsy

Susie said...

I'm very glad you were safe during the stormy weather. My brother and his wife too live in the Tulsa area.

That is a most interesting storm cellar. When I lived in AR we too had one but it was nothing like that. Yours looks very safe.

Mary said...

Yes thank God's Grace and goodness all our family was safe! Very timely information on your storm cellar in your garage.
Love you
Mary

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Oh my Carol! How frightening! We also have tornadoes here in Georgia and one missed my home by about a mile. I was lying on teh floor in the hall and could hear it nearby. The shelter is definitely a good idea! Are you countng down??? Keep us posted...Debbie

Unknown said...

Thank goodness you made it through okay. God was definitely watching out for you!

Thanks for being a follower on my blog and welcome!

Barb said...

Carol, so glad you are okay.

We have the terrible hurricanes here in Florida so I can somewhat imagine how you must feel.

Take care.

Amy said...

I have seen so much on the news about the tornadoes in Oklahoma. I am so glad that you and your family are safe! I didn't know they made storm shelters like what you showed, but it looks like a very good thing to have. Stay safe!

Thank you so much for your birthday wishes today. It was so nice of you to stop by and say hello. Please feel free to stop by again any time! Amy :)

Ginger said...

I was just visiting Darlene's blog and she had some pictures posted of the damage. Pretty darn scary.
I have a friend in OK City that I haven't heard from in a few days, don't know if they got any of the tornado or not.
Glad you are safe.

Darlene said...

Your storm shelter is neat. I have seen those kinds advertised. The clean up around here continues.

The Garrulous Sherpa, Photographs by Jezebel Marie said...

That was some intense storming, my nana was at a dr.s appt very near the Target on NW expressway. Which brought up memories of Mannford and the day we weathered the big one in church in '84. That got me googlin' and found your post. I'm a grad from Mann Elem, you might have taught my brother or I as we both did k-5 there, he finished in the new school. Glad to find another Okie blog! I'll be reading.