According to a neighbor, in 52 years of living in Omaha, Friday night, 27 June, was the worst storm they had encountered. Around 5:00pm, the skies were beautiful, and not a breeze was felt. Just 15-20 minutes later, the skies were turning black, and suddenly the trees began to sway back and forth. 100mph winds along with nickel sized hail caused enormous damage! We were actually in Council Bluffs when it happened. We watched in a matter of minutes the roads turn into rivers. A garbage can from taco bell floated down the road. When the storm was over we could not get from the Kanesville Tabernacle to the car, because a gully full of water several feet deep. James ran around the block, and drove it around to another entrance.
As we drove home, we were amazed by the damage! Gigantic cottonwood trees right on the road we live on had been completely uprooted and were laying into the road, against houses, and into power lines. Because we had company (cousin Anna Foister, her husband and adorable children), and it was getting late without electricity, we hurriedly made dinner on our GAS stove, and after the 7 children were asleep, James and I walked over to the Godfrey’s home, some good friends and neighbors. We immediately noticed their shattered front window. Apparently a large porch swing from a few townhouses down had been picked up by the wind, slammed against their window, and dropped into their beautiful flower bed. The scary thing was that Melissa was just a few blocks away from home in the car in the heart of the storm, and Matt and their baby Gabe were downstairs listening to the shattering of glass wondering where their wife/mother was! She could see branches flying around her, and had to dodge a swinging power line. Just a few minutes after she had told us this, we listened to their hand generated radio and learned that a few miles from where we had been in Council Bluffs during the storm, a tree like so many here, had fallen on a car and killed 2 18 year olds, and inured a 15 year old in the back seat. We were so grateful our friend Melissa was safe!
The next day was unique: quiet, still, and tranquil. We walked around and saw the damage of our townhouse area, and also our completely destroyed garden! Very sad… The once thriving tomato plants are now just little stubs. . James enjoyed not vacuuming (no electricity). Several neighbors were worried about the meat going bad in the freezer. One friend, Todd, drove around for 2 hours looking for ice at gas stations and stores, but no luck. We decided to have a HUGE BBQ, and go all out with our meat in the freezer, since there were no generators for sale any where close, and we figured we would probably lose most of our food. We grilled salmon (YUM!), and ate a few other delicates! The electricity ended up going on for some of us, but, is still off for MANY others in Village Green- the 4th day now.
Wow, I was sitting under this very tree less than 2 hours before the storm!
What's wrong with this picture?
A nest we found in the garden overturned after the storm.
As we drove home, we were amazed by the damage! Gigantic cottonwood trees right on the road we live on had been completely uprooted and were laying into the road, against houses, and into power lines. Because we had company (cousin Anna Foister, her husband and adorable children), and it was getting late without electricity, we hurriedly made dinner on our GAS stove, and after the 7 children were asleep, James and I walked over to the Godfrey’s home, some good friends and neighbors. We immediately noticed their shattered front window. Apparently a large porch swing from a few townhouses down had been picked up by the wind, slammed against their window, and dropped into their beautiful flower bed. The scary thing was that Melissa was just a few blocks away from home in the car in the heart of the storm, and Matt and their baby Gabe were downstairs listening to the shattering of glass wondering where their wife/mother was! She could see branches flying around her, and had to dodge a swinging power line. Just a few minutes after she had told us this, we listened to their hand generated radio and learned that a few miles from where we had been in Council Bluffs during the storm, a tree like so many here, had fallen on a car and killed 2 18 year olds, and inured a 15 year old in the back seat. We were so grateful our friend Melissa was safe!
The next day was unique: quiet, still, and tranquil. We walked around and saw the damage of our townhouse area, and also our completely destroyed garden! Very sad… The once thriving tomato plants are now just little stubs. . James enjoyed not vacuuming (no electricity). Several neighbors were worried about the meat going bad in the freezer. One friend, Todd, drove around for 2 hours looking for ice at gas stations and stores, but no luck. We decided to have a HUGE BBQ, and go all out with our meat in the freezer, since there were no generators for sale any where close, and we figured we would probably lose most of our food. We grilled salmon (YUM!), and ate a few other delicates! The electricity ended up going on for some of us, but, is still off for MANY others in Village Green- the 4th day now.
Wow, I was sitting under this very tree less than 2 hours before the storm!
What's wrong with this picture?
A nest we found in the garden overturned after the storm.
5 comments:
I'm so glad that you guys are O.K.! Those pictures are crazy!
Wow guys, That is incredible! I am so glad you are safe. Way to make lemonade with those lemons after the storm...with the bbq I mean. We love you!
Yea I found your blog. This is Alicia Hinton, Kevin's wife. I am so glad we now have a way to deep in touch. You can check out our blog at http://hintontrio.blogspot.com/
Hi again. I tried to send an email, but I think I had an old address! You are very welcome to come and stay with us, and we'll have a room for you and everything! I will be in Utah with Harry until the 31st, but David with be here. We'd love to have you.
You guys have moved to a fun place it seems! This is Karen Ray by the way. I'm so happy to have stubbled onto your blog. You've got one cute family! Come visit us at:
markandkarenray.blogspot.com
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