Texas Weather-Spring style!

I lived in Texas all my life, but the tornado sirens still give me chills!
This Spring has been very active. It has been a couple of years since I have gathered up the "emergency kit" and headed to my safe spot. This time seemed so different. Different house, different town and all alone. Well except for my dogs!

Even Yogi (all 96 pounds of her) had no problem stepping into the tub to join the rest!

Two very powerful storms within two days of each other, reminded me I live in tornado alley. When my kids were in grade school, Michele came home one day telling me about what she had learned that day. All about tornado safety. Even learned about "tornado alley". She said, Momma why would anybody live there on purpose? I guess she missed the fact that WE were living there...on purpose.
Having an emergency storm plan has always been a part of our lives. Choose the room. It should be a small interior room with a lot of support. Usually a bathroom, specifically in the tub. Always have an emergency kit. I keep mine in the very top shelf in the bathroom in a baggie. Things like candles, matches, first aide kit, medication, flashlight, etc. When the weather begins to turn nasty-put your shoes on. If things are bad and there is broken glass and debris-you should have your shoes on. Put a pillow, blanket and jacket in the tub. If you have pets, put their leashes in the tub too. Yes it will be crowded but cozy. :)
On a Friday evening as the sky turned orange, I remembered what I needed to do. With smart phones around now, the weather information is so much easier to keep up with. We had 70 mph winds and things were looking very scary. When I heard the sirens in town, I knew it was time to get things moving. Then the hail began.

 

Then the pouring rain

 

As I sat there with the dogs and the blanket over us, I could hear so much crazy noise outside. I have been in a tornado before and will never forget the pressure and my ears popping, that was not happening this time. No tornado-thank goodness. I heard a very loud bang. It turned out being the transformer down the street.



Then the electricity went out.

Quiet, dark and still. The storm has passed.

Now the emergency sirens were going all around.

Later I found out there were many trees and power lines down. Some fires too. But no serious injuries reported.

With no power, I had a picnic type supper.

 

 

If I hadn't been alone, it may have been romantic.

 

At bedtime, I opened the windows and lay there listening to the absolute silence. I think we are all a bit spoiled to everything that electricity gives us. Go without it for just one hour and you will know what I mean. My power did not come back on till the next day around 8am. 

 

 

Two days later, another serious storm. A tornado very close and even bigger hail!

 

This is a picture of the house at the corner of my street.

 

I am blessed to have nothing near that bad in damages, but I will be getting new roof and a damaged tree cut down.

 

The next day the sun shined. Yogi and I took a walk.

 

While storms are scary, the rainbow afterwards reminds us of God's mercy.