Sunday, April 17, 2011

That was too close!

What's the saying, 'Ignorance is Bliss'?

Friends were over for a cook-out although the impending storms were in the forecast.  The TV was off, no radio; just the sounds of words and laughter permeated the air.

Until, the thunder and winds dominated our conversation. We marveled at the strength of the winds and rain with bits of remarks; 'I've never seen wind that strong!' or 'Notice the rain in falling in a circular pattern?' The lights flickered, then were gone. The sound of what we thought was thunder overtook our thoughts and wonderings.

The remainder of the event was conducted in the dark with luminating candles strategically placed; over the desserts, of course. It wasn't until good-byes were bid that an unusual amount of activity was noted in our otherwise quiet community.

We mounted our bikes and took off on an excursion that left us in awe...our neighborhood had been damaged by what could only be described as a tornado or wind sheers immensely strong to down utility poles and massive trees, rip holes in roofs and blow out windows.  Although the damage was sporadic and didn't visit our home, it was incredibly personal.

We live less than a mile from the school in which I teach and the playground equipment was twisted and knotted, a shed no long in sight. Power was off as the lines lay like threads across the road and downed trees act as a tourniquet for the main road to our development as traffic was snaked through our small unimposing streets.  Debris strewn on the ground as petals dropped prior to a wedding.

We shared our thoughts and fears, but mostly repeated, 'That was too close!'...indeed it was. Please pray for our community of Holly Springs as we clean up and help those in need.

...a home two streets over...

Holly Grove Elementary School in the background amidst
the downed power lines...

...downed trees blocking Avent Ferry Road to our neighborhood...

...fallen trees in the other direction on Avent Ferry Road...

...a policeman directing traffic through our neighborhood...the trees in
the background shaved like a dulled lawn mower...

I am truly thankful that loss of life wasn't accompanied by the storm and just as thankful that we were occupied by friends and in this circumstance, Ignorance IS bliss~

43 comments:

Out on the prairie said...

Sounds like you need a weather radio.I take a portable camping, just in case.Glad it missed your home.We had one town almost leave the map to the north of me.

Old Kitty said...

I'm glad you are all safe!!

Take care
x

Bish Denham said...

Oh my! Thank goodness you are safe. I've seen and heard about some of the destruction. Here in Texas we are dealing with horrible wildfires because it is so very dry.

Anonymous said...

Praying for all of those who have suffered damage and for the dedicated men/women who will work tirelessly to restore power/order/safety. God bless you all. I'm thankful you all were safe.

From the Kitchen said...

Oh my goodness!! My sister lives in Augusta County, VA and they had a tornado roar through yesterday afternoon. She, her family and their home escaped damage but there was a lot of damage all around them. So glad all of you are safe!

Best,
Bonnie

Kim said...

That damage looks terrible. Glad you are safe.

The Words Crafter said...

Wow, I'm so glad you're okay!!! I just saw on weather.com that tornadoes did in fact tear through NC. I'll be keeping everyone in my prayers.....

And yes, I thing Angel Kitty would make the best kind of ninja....she's so sweet. No one would suspect!

Take care!

turquoisemoon said...

OMG...Yes of course prayers will be said. So glad you and yours are safe...

Unknown said...

You know, we heard about this here in Norway on the news! So glad that you and yours are safe!

mamahasspoken said...

That looks scary! makes me wonder if you will have school tomorrow?

Wild_Bill said...

Wowee, that was pretty frightening and too close for comfort! Great pictures of the remains of a powerful storm. Thanks for sharing.

Sylvia K said...

That is frightening indeed, glad you didn't suffer any damage at your house, but definitely too close for comfort!! You did get great pictures! Hope it doesn't make a return visit! Hope your week goes well and storm free!

Sylvia

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Too Close for Comfort is right, Trac... Glad you all are okay though... That latest batch of storms did damage all across this country. We didn't have anything severe--but we did have FIVE inches of heavy rain.

God Be with YOU and your Neighborhood.
Hugs,
Betsy

karen said...

So glad you're safe.

Bossy Betty said...

WoW! These things can happen quickly, can't they?

Sassafras and Winterberry said...

Yikes, way too close. I'm glad you are safe and sound.
Courtney

TexWisGirl said...

truly grateful you were unscathed. i hope they can get cleaned up and damage assessed quickly.

Jeanie said...

Tornados are really terrifying. I grew up in Oklahoma so I am very familiar with the damage they can do. I'm glad you are safe and I know the feeling of seeing so much damage so close.

Karen Mortensen said...

Oh my. Glad you are okay. Sending good thoughts to everyone and hope they will able to clean up soon.

Oklahoma Granny said...

God was certainly watching over you and your guests. I pray for those in your community affected by the storm.

Catherine said...

Mother Nature has truly been showing us her strength! I'm glad everyone was safe. The weather reminds us of just how small and powerless we are sometimes!

xo Catherine

Donnie said...

We were in Dobson, NC and didn't realize so much damage was done. My dil's parents are in Raleigh and they were okay but there was a lot of damage around. Thankfully everyone is safe. My prayers go out to all.

Karen Thomason/Gordon Setter Crossing said...

I am glad that you and your family were spared. Hopefully the school will be okay also and soon be filled with little smiling faces and happy voices.

Anonymous said...

They can do amazing damage. We watched on TV the other night at the devastation that was left in the wake of many tornados. I'm so glad your house and guests were spared!! ...debbie

FANCY the Red Standard Poodle said...

Hi Y'all,

We've been in the tornado line on a couple of ocassions. There is nothing more horrifying.

We got huge hail, high winds and torrential rains for a short time and then the storms headed to the north. We were on the southeastern edge as they swept through the south.

Had the music channel on and it was constantly interrupted with what sounded like a horn blowing to announce new warnings.

Y'all are in our prayers as your community recovers.

BrownDog's Human

Ginny Hartzler said...

Oh my!!! And this was only two streets away?? And you didn't experience that much yourself? It must have taken a very narrow path. We had the same thing yesterday!!!! I was praying and nervous. I heard that yesterday over 100 tornados touched down. I hope the school itself is alright, it looks fine. Oh, the kids will be so upset about theior playground!! SO glad you are alright, Tracy!! I am ging out now to photograph the damage and will have a very similar post tomorrow. Your pics are chillingly good.

Shay said...

Glad you're OK. What an awful trail of destruction. Thinking of the people in your community.

MunirGhiasuddin said...

Your pictures made us all see another side of nature .
I am so glad that you guys are safe and no body was hurt in your community. My family and I will be praying for you guys and I wish that were we close enough to come by to give a hand to clean up and repair. As of now our thoughts will be with you guys and your neighbours.

Wanda's Wings said...

So glad you are safe. We had some bad storms Thursday.

Jules said...

Thought of you all night, glad to see you came out okay. Sorry about the neighbors and will keep them in my thoughts.

Ami said...

I'm glad you lived to post about it.
:)

Really scary.

Nancy said...

Nature doesn't play favorites. It just is. Glad you weren't in the path of her playfulness. :)

Angels Amber and Max DaWeenie and Mom said...

So glad you are safe. That's a lot of really severe damage. Spring storms are terrible!

the booker man said...

hihi miss tracy!

thankies bunches 'n tons for stoppin' by to visit little ol' me! :)
your goldie hurricane sounds like a really super cool doggie! mama is oooh-in' and aaah-in over how handsome he is! (he is a he, right?)
that was one way scary storm you had at your house. i'm glad that you are a-okay! we had a scary storm like that at my house a few weeks ago. it was not funsies at all. :(

*woof*
the booker man

Heather said...

oh my goodnesss...i am always afraid of that happening...I am glad you are ok - and safe! hugs

Alexandra MacVean said...

Goodness, Tracy. I am so glad to hear that you are safe and sound. Everyone there is in my thoughts and prayers. Hugs

Author Joshua Hoyt said...

I'm so glad everyone is safe. It looks like it must have been terrifying.

Suka said...

Very scary! Thank goodness you, your home, and your friends were not hurt, but I am sorry to read your town was damaged by the storm. Our thoughts and prayers are with them, and the others hit by the massive storms.

Thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving such a nice Comment! I appreciate it! I always love meeting new people. Your pup, Hurricane, is very beautiful, and the book sounds interesting and fun! Thank you for sharing!

K and Suka

Unknown said...

Just said a prayer.....
glad you and yours were safe!.....kt

KathyA said...

Yes, that storm was formidable, wasn't it? Glad you're all okay.

Pat Tillett said...

So scary! I'm very glad to hear that you are all alright. I know that many weren't so fortunate.

Kay Dennison said...

Yikes!!!! I'm glad you're safe!!!

And the complete quote is, "Where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise.", -- English poet, Thomas Gray.

Connie said...

I'm so glad to hear you and your family are safe, Tracy. I've been hearing so much about all of this on the news.