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Not a Dream This Time
Apr. 10th, 2013 09:21 pmAbout an hour ago, I was websurfing when I heard a crack of thunder outside. I pulled up the Wunderground site to check on the local weather, and was confronted with these stark words:
A TORNADO IS ON THE GROUND. TAKE COVER NOW.
I didn't take the time to shut down the computer; I just headed for the basement, calling the dogs. When I opened the basement door, they both ran from me - they really don't like the basement. I had to dig Gracie out from under the couch, upend Buster's hassock, and pick him up as well. I carried them both downstairs, shutting the door as soon as we were through to keep them from running again.
For the next forty-five minutes to an hour, we huddled down there, watching the lightning flashes through the basement windows, listening to the howl of the wind rise and fall. (We weren't near the windows; I just chose my angles carefully.) Gracie found a dark spot and hid; Buster sat down and watched me. Eventually I dusted off an old but sturdy chair and sat down in it, and Buster leaped into my lap. Gracie padded over for a cuddle; eventually we settled, Gracie in my lap, Buster seated between my feet. And we waited.
At last, there ceased to be flashing in the western window. (That was where the storm was coming from.) I concluded it was probably safe. I wouldn't be able to hear the All-Clear from the basement in any case. We ventured back upstairs, where the Wunderground page had subsided into a more normal view.
I'm waiting for information on damage in the area. Thankfully, Edwardsville seems to have been spared, and though I'm seeing damage reports, I haven't heard of any fatalities. :crosses fingers:
A TORNADO IS ON THE GROUND. TAKE COVER NOW.
I didn't take the time to shut down the computer; I just headed for the basement, calling the dogs. When I opened the basement door, they both ran from me - they really don't like the basement. I had to dig Gracie out from under the couch, upend Buster's hassock, and pick him up as well. I carried them both downstairs, shutting the door as soon as we were through to keep them from running again.
For the next forty-five minutes to an hour, we huddled down there, watching the lightning flashes through the basement windows, listening to the howl of the wind rise and fall. (We weren't near the windows; I just chose my angles carefully.) Gracie found a dark spot and hid; Buster sat down and watched me. Eventually I dusted off an old but sturdy chair and sat down in it, and Buster leaped into my lap. Gracie padded over for a cuddle; eventually we settled, Gracie in my lap, Buster seated between my feet. And we waited.
At last, there ceased to be flashing in the western window. (That was where the storm was coming from.) I concluded it was probably safe. I wouldn't be able to hear the All-Clear from the basement in any case. We ventured back upstairs, where the Wunderground page had subsided into a more normal view.
I'm waiting for information on damage in the area. Thankfully, Edwardsville seems to have been spared, and though I'm seeing damage reports, I haven't heard of any fatalities. :crosses fingers:
