Last night was an interesting evening in the McEnery/Bowers household here in Ohio! It all started around 7:00 yesterday evening. My mom, dad, Evan and I were having a nice time outside. You see, my parents live in a neighborhood where people still walk outside and talk with their next door neighbors and wave hi to those walking their dogs or driving by. We knew thunderstorms were on the way. But, the sky was still nice and clear and the sun was shining. It was just about Evan's bedtime so I came in to the house first. I started Evan's nighttime ritual of bath/dress/story-time/feeding. Right in the middle, all of a sudden, I heard a high-pitch whining sound coming from outside. I thought, certainly that isn't the weather warning sirens. I was just outside! I picked up Evan and walked out onto my parent's back porch. Yep, it was the sirens!
This is where chaos in sued...
Trying to get three adults, a baby, three dogs (one of which is a bit neurotic and does not like to go down stairs), and two cats down to a basement isn't an easy task! I feel for Noah...
We all got downstairs just in time for the sky to open up. Mother Nature was angry! The winds were incredible. And, the hail! The hail was nothing like I had seen or heard before! I have to say, I have been through some pretty nasty weather. Everything from Baltimore and Ohio blizzards to Alabama hurricanes and tornadoes. But, last night was probably the most scared I have been when it comes to the weather. It was down right scary. Everything lasted for about 15 minutes. Thank goodness we only had high speed winds and large-sized hail. We found out today a tornado touched down less than 10 miles away from my parent's house. It could have been a lot worse!
My parent's house and brand new shed have to have the aluminum siding replaced due to hail damage. I have to call our car insurance company and report hail damage to the Element. There are 'dimples' all over it. And a bench my parents own looks as if someone punched holes all through it. But, siding and benches can be replaced. Cars can be fixed. We are all safe...that is all that matters!
Afterwards, it looked as if it had snowed.
With the recent horrific weather and destruction it has caused across the country, I have to stress how thankful I am that our storm wasn't very strong and that my family and I are safe. It breaks my heart to hear about families such as the Hamils from Piedmont, Oklahoma. The mom has had to have two major surgeries (all while being 4 months pregnant with their fourth child), their 9 year old daughter is in critical condition, and sadly, their two little boys have lost their life. All because of a tornado. This family has consumed my thoughts since the moment I heard about them on the evening news. I cannot imagine their pain.
