Report from 206inKY:
Just wanted to let the BJ community know that I survived the tornado and am safely at an airbnb in a nearby city. My house took a direct hit, but we are vastly more fortunate than most in the tornado’s path, with mainly just roof damage. I live in a heavily-wooded neighborhood, and the tornado appears to have hopped off about 25 feet off the ground as it passed over my block, taking out the entire tree canopy but leaving houses mostly intact aside from falling trees and utility poles.
There are 18 trees down on my property, including several huge walnut and cedar trees that were uprooted, but only two trees hit my home despite falling on all four sides of the house. There is no major structural damage besides the roof and electrical connections, which were shaved off by a huge tree that fell directly parallel to the house.
My neighboorhood looks like multiple bombs exploded—it’s hard to describe the chaos and destruction. But the areas of the tornado’s path both before and after it reached my house are even worse, with entire buildings razed, which is why I’m sure it hopped off the ground before touching down again.
The tornado itself was the most terrifying experience of my life. I hid in the basement with my partner, son, and dog. It was about 15 minutes of ordinary thunderstorm followed by a huge roar and this crazy change in air pressure that felt like my ears and limbs were exploding. I was certain that I was dying from the air pressure change, and then it was gone.
I saw a new side of the South over the past few days. The morning after the storm, truckloads of people from other parts of town grabbed their chainsaws and immediately got to work clearing the road and driveways. Then on Sunday, hundreds of volunteers from surrounding rural counties descended on my area with heavy equipment and cleared everybody’s yard house by house.
What seemed like months of work was cleared in two days. They actually apologized that they couldn’t get the heaviest logs up the hill out of the backyard, even though they were already doing thousands of dollars worth of free labor. The love and generosity was breathtaking.
So glad you are safe!
cain
There is nothing like a disaster to bring people together. We all know that we have to stick together when it comes to nature.
CaseyL
So glad to hear you survived and the damage to your home is repairable!
sstarr
Interesting how people respond well to disasters like this, but don’t know how to protect each other from a virus.
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
Wow, it sounds like you were truly lucky. Glad you and your loved ones came out that horrific event ok, 206inKY
It seems the last few years have been crazy weather-wise. About four or so years ago, a microburst hit my town and did some decent damage to the local mall and about two months ago there were actual tornados that touched down, which is unheard of for that (and this) time of year
Obvious Russian Troll
@sstarr: I’d go with sad myself.
I’ve been down in eastern Kentucky recently (just after Halloween). We were often the only ones wearing a mask–with the pleasant exception of my mother-in-law’s nursing home.
(Although no one had been wearing masks there earlier in the year under the misguided assumption that everyone had been vaccinated.)
Baud
Glad to hear you are safe.
topclimber
I have heard that neighborly aid is something Southern and blue collar types do that makes it hard to dismiss them all as selfish bigots. Maybe why you live in KY?
H.E.Wolf
Glad you’re safe, and that you have good neighbors near and far. Bless ’em all.
Mdub
Oh gosh. Glad everyone is safe in your family.
Old School
Glad you’re OK, 206inKY. Here’s hoping you are also amazed by how soon you can move back home.
raven
“I saw a new side of the South over the past few days. ”
I keep trying to tell you goobers. . .
Poe Larity
Many thoughts and offerings. The wrath of a tornado can be lasting, many will still be in a state of shock for some time and the “new normal” can lead to mental health issues, including ptsd. Consider at least proactive counseling for the kinder.
Another Scott
Thanks for the report, 206. I’m glad things weren’t worse!
Best of luck for the recovery for everyone. I know it will be a long slog. :-(
Cheers,
Scott.
scav
Thing is, noting who people choose to be neighborly to. The problem is always where people draw the line. Who and when.
Ruviana
@Poe Larity: I’m remembering Soonergrunt’s experiences with tornadoes. PTSD is right!
Scuffletuffle
It’s a rural thing and true all over the states. Folks living away from population centers know they are interdependent in times of emergency. They don’t rely so heavily on “911.”
zhena gogolia
@raven: Yeah.
So glad you’re safe, 206inKY. So scary. I’ve only experienced one small tornado, but that weird air pressure is hard to forget.
Geoduck
@sstarr: People can see a weather disaster. If we could make it so that anyone actively transmitting a virus spewed purple mist or something when they talked, the world might be a better place.
Cermet5
Over a thousand people die every day from A TREATABLE ILLNESS BUT RIGHTWINGERS THAT VOTE INTO POWER LIARS CONTRIBUTED TO THIS MASSACURE. These same people vote in rand paul who they have no issue with when he denounced money for victims of hurricanes. Yet when its them, they have no issues getting the help (not that I would ever begrudge them the help.)
More than the total dead they suffered are killed every day by guns; and when children are slaughtered by guns in schools they continue to vote for these same monsters that want unlimited guns available to everyone.
I’m glad they are getting help but I won’t forget these people vote for the destruction of our country because they are racist and simply hate filled.
SiubhanDuinne
So glad you and your loved ones are safe. Having lived through a tornado in 1998, I know that few experiences are as terrifying. Wishing you and your neighbours all the best as you tackle cleanup and rebuilding and recovery.
Cermet
This MS machine – the software is more a virus! There is no Cermet5 – but it say’s there is. This was and is Cermet.
Andrew
Moore, OK was like that after the May 3rd, 1999 tornado. Nobody wasted time getting help to people. As much as I loathe modern Oklahoma politics, the people were almost uniformly wonderful in the days after the disaster, just as they were after the Murrah Building bombing in 1995.
Major Major Major Major
Glad to hear you’re okay!
Nettoyeur
@cain: Unless it involves 21st C medical science.
Kalakal
Glad to hear you’re ok. That sounds utterly terrifying
Nettoyeur
@Scuffletuffle: But they won’t take free shotd that cut their chance of COVID by factors of 3-4.
cain
@Nettoyeur: Then it is: The Devil take you all!
I forgot to add that – I’m glad you’re safe despite all the destruction.
Fair Economist
Glad you are OK and the damage isn’t worse.
Nettoyeur
Enhanced Voting Techniques
They don’t put Martial Law into effect in disasters just to be mean, doubtless there are twatwaffless up to no good in the affected areas. The difference is the press hasn’t had a chance to try and “Both Sides” the tornado relief yet and make cannibalistic looter (or something equally unspeakable) sound like a legitimate political position.
Kent
@Scuffletuffle: Exactly. It is just part of rural life. You would see EXACTLY the same thing in rural Oregon, rural Minnesota, rural Alaska or rural Maine.
Plus rural guys tend to have so many tools and trucks and shit accumulated that this is finally the excuse to use some of it.
J R in WV
Wow, your description of being in your basement when the bomb went off overhead is — riveting and well written. So glad you are all physically OK and have a place to be warm and dry.
Those big walnut logs, those might pay for your new roof. Nothing being cut in America is worth more than big walnut. Cherry is close, but both woods are used in fine furniture. So try to round up a mill that can put your walnut logs to their best use.
Same for cedar, actually, if they are saw log sized chunks. Best of luck !! And keep in touch.
Another Scott
@Geoduck:
Obligatory Scrubs
Cheers,
Scott.
Betty
The aftermath of a storm like that with such extensive damage can be as traumatizing as living through the storm. Trying to take in that much devastation and then process it can be challenging. Be kind to yourself and others. Stay safe!
Mary G
I highly doubt many of my neighbors, including the guy who owns a children’s clothing company and demands absolute quiet after 9 pm so he can “talk to China in peace,” or the lawyer practicing in Huntington Beach, or the retired on disability at age 45 firefighter who hates government intervention would be able to do any of that. They are not pickup truck or chainsaw owners.
On the other hand when I fell and fractured my ankle in a fairly spectacular way and was hauled off to the hospital, the most Christianist of these couples noted my lights not coming on and called the cops to check on me. They were my first visitors after my surgery with a plant from Trader Joe’s and a nice card.
People contain multitudes and I haven’t been around as much because I’m starting to think a lot of Republicans’ stupidity that it’s fun to point and laugh at is designed to distract us and corroborate the constant messages the r/w media world churns out that “liberals think we’re all stupid.”
Roger Moore
@Kent:
This isn’t restricted to rural life, you know. The city next to mine* has one of the best search and rescue teams in the world. It’s all volunteers, it’s paid for entirely by donations, and they never charge for their services. I’m sure if there were an earthquake tomorrow, neighbors whose houses were OK would be helping the ones whose houses were damaged. It’s just the way people are.
*Sierra Madre, CA, and it’s very literally next to mine. I’m in a different city if I cross the street. The only way someone new to the area could tell when they move from one city to the next is that the street numbers change.
Wvng
@sstarr: I really struggle with this. Last weekend a public service group I am part of built a handicap ramp for an elderly woman. Half the team were Biden haters and probably unvaccinated, but here they were happy to help a neighbor. Somehow looking out for others applies to building a ramp but not vaccinating and masking. I will never understand this.
Baud
@Mary G:
Agreed. Fox News viewers aren’t the only ones being manipulated.
Baud
@Wvng:
Part of me wonders if it’s as simple as “working with tools is fun and more in line with how I see my place in my culture.”
Joy in FL
I’m glad you are ok. I am also glad to know about the fast help from regular people.
Chief Oshkosh
@topclimber: My experience is that everyone pitches in, regardless of being blue-collar, white-collar, blue or red politics. The last mongo storm at my dad’s place occurred right before my brother and I had planned to visit him. We’re advanced-degreed latte-sipping wussy liberals, but we bought and borrowed chainsaws and other tools and went at it for four days straight, clearing several homes and yards of debris, getting some wired and plumbed back up (sorry, no inspections!). We were not unusual in this regard, having grown up in the country. I can totally understand how people who grow up in cities don’t grab a chain saws, torches, and come-alongs and go at it — it’s outside of their experience. But I’ve seen city people help out fellow humans to the nth degree in emergencies, too, based on their experience and skills.
206inKY, glad you’re OK.
Chief Oshkosh
@Nettoyeur: Agreed.
Ruckus
@Geoduck:
This.
A tornado or earthquake or any major disaster is obvious, and just as likely could have struck them as anyone else. And the damage is obvious. With Covid a person gets sick and goes to the hospital up to a week later. And they either recover enough to be discharged or die but it’s people, not a town, it’s not nearly as obvious. And some people can rationalize crap rather easily, especially if they listen to faux news, which daily tells them that it’s the evil others causing all the damage. A tornado or earthquake is nature and doesn’t give a damn about politics. Covid has been turned into a political attack by faux news, which tells people that people hurt them, nature is just nature.
Mike in NC
Terrible news out of Kentucky. This country suffered an unusual number of devastating natural disasters after 2017, with a sociopath in the White House who could always be counted on to respond poorly and to essentially blame the victims. Then in 2020 a raging pandemic came along. As with everything else, he simply didn’t give a shit because he couldn’t make a profit off of it.
Butter Emails!
@Baud:
It’s the nature of the problem. It’s straight forward to identify and can be addressed with a concrete set of actions over a limited duration.
Its the type of challenge humans are wired to deal with. Invisible virus requiring indefinite mask wearing and having someone jab you with things not so much.
oatler
@Enhanced Voting Techniques:
https://www.mediamatters.org/alex-jones/alex-jones-says-joe-biden-may-have-used-weather-weapons-create-tornadoes-killed-scores
HRA
As one who survived a tornado to another I am very happy you and your family are well. The best to all of you in the future.
germy
Dan B
@Geoduck: The healthcare privacy laws have made Covid nearly invisible. The same is true of the upper level leaders of January 6. People respond to visual proof.
In the beginning of the AIDS crisis there were stories, then there were photos of emaciated young men and of KS. Then I was at hospital with friends as they were overcome with panic as their lungs filled with Pneumocystis parasites. The memories are still fresh, every element of those scenes is vivid. We are animals with strong responses to danger when the threat is immediate.
I’m very glad to hear that 206 is well. I hope you find and pursue counseling.
sab
Has Opiejeanne checked in? She was worried about family and friends in the area when the tornados were happening.
banditqueen
206inKY–I’ve never seen (or heard) a tornado but what a vivid description you gave of a storm that, from what I’ve read, is almost impossible to completely protect yourself against–and this was a monster storm. Thanks for reporting on what you went through and it’s great that people are helping each other. We had Sandy in NYC and it brought us to a standstill. More powerful and devastating storms over the planet–we all have to work to stop what we still can stop.
HinTN
@J R in WV: That tree across the road in the photograph appears to be eastern red cedar and of significant size (suitable for many boards).
HinTN
@J R in WV: That tree across the road in the photograph appears to be eastern red cedar and of significant size (suitable for many boards).
ETA – glad you and yours are safe, 206.
debbie
I’m so glad you, your partner, and son are okay. The videos on my local news (Columbus, OH) are horrifying. After a work day filled with garbage, that so many have come to your aid has brought me to tears. I hope your recovery proceeds both smoothly and quickly.
Kent
@Roger Moore: Oh, of course not. I live in suburban Portland now, but I have lived in some pretty rural parts of the country including Alaska. I do think it is true the rural folks tend to be more competent with outdoor stuff because so many have rural outdoor construction, ag, forestry or fishing type jobs and lots of big tools. And lots have acreages that require lots of outdoor labor. Here in the upscale suburbs of Portland most of my neighbors are things like software engineers, doctors, regional sales managers, etc. Most would not have a fucking clue about how to safely clear out a 100ft fir tree if it fell in the neighborhood, much less have the necessary chain saws, wedges, axes, etc. to do the job. They call a tree service if they have a limb that needs trimming. They also don’t have the pickup trucks, winches, etc. to haul everything away. At Tesla or Audi is not going to cut it. But my neighbors in Alaska sure would have as half of them heated their homes with wood and most had trucks.
Kathleen
@Enhanced Voting Techniques: I’m waiting for an Olivia Nuzzi Mean Ghoul to mock Andy Beshear for being too emotional when he described the destruction of Dawson Springs, his father’s birth place and grandparents’ home where he spent many summers. He could barely hold his emotion. I love that man.
Omnes Omnibus
@Kent: But the doctor would be better at treating anyone hit by the tree than any of the chain saw wielding pickup truck drivers. Different sets of skills line up with different emergencies.
JoyceCB
206inKY, thank-you for the vivid description, so glad you made it through. And so glad you had a basement! There are all kinds of pictures of bare cement slabs where a house and its occupants used to be. We get a few tornados up here in Canuckistan, but nothing – NOTHING – like you went through.
Another Scott
@Wvng: Too many people have been taught to think that the government in DC is the enemy.
GoogleBooks:
(Typos mine.)
We’ve known this stuff for a very long time, but seemingly have to re-remember it every few generations. :-(
Cheers,
Scott.
prostratedragon
Glad to hear that at least the 206 family made it through that strange thing. Regarding the salvaged wood, musical instrument makers might be another market for both varieties if the logs are suitable. Walnut backs, sides, or necks, cedar tops.
Kathleen
206inKY – I’m glad you and your family are safe and your damage is manageable. I read an interview with a survivor who said inmates from a local jail or prison were helping clear the rubble and commented how impressed she was that they weren’t using an opportunity to escape.
gene108
Glad you and family are safe, 206inKY.
What you described reminds me of the morning after Hurricane Fran hit the Raleigh, NC area in 1996. People were out and about the next morning surveying damage. Those that had tools to help pump out flooded basements, cut up fallen trees, etc. It wasn’t a big surprise to me. We weren’t as bitter and divided then.
Also, NYC and the general NJ/CT/NY area after both 9/11/01 and the great 2003 power grid collapse brought out the best in people. Many people, who commuted into NYC were stranded as trains and buses weren’t running (out of caution in 9/11/01 & lack of power for trains in 2003), and people gave out what they could, like food and water, to people walking across the bridges. Stores stayed open to help the stranded.
People can be genuinely helpful, when they can see a problem. When things get more abstract, with things we can’t directly see that it gets hard for people to be helpful.
Jackie
206inKY, very happy you and yours are safe! Hold each other tight while getting through this.
Ruckus
@Another Scott:
It’s getting more like every generation now.
Cermet
I have seen tornados (from a safe distance) and had one pass my home within a hundred yards tearing out tree’s – I both know the sound and will never forget it. So I certainly can see why people that experience those things are fearful and happy to survive. Yet I will recall what those states are doing to our country by electing mass murdering monsters that are happy to destroy our democracy for power; why? Mostly white privilege and for many, racism as well. A majority of these people gave willing support and even voted for the monster paul as he refused other state’s request for aid after they too suffered terrible tragic storms. No, I will not forget either that or the sound of a tornado.
Tazj
I’m glad you and your family are ok, 206inKY. What a terribly scary experience.I’m sorry about the damage to your house and state and the loss of life there.
Dan B
@Kent: My father who grew up in Chicago the son of two professional singers and who was himself a research chemist managed to teach himself how to fell trees is a puzzle I don’t understand. We had five acres of woods and there were lots of dead and hazardous trees to clear.
Dan B
When I was a kid there was a severe tornado a dozen miles away that hit a tiny town, basically a crossroads. From the crossroads you could see across a hundred acre field to the path of the tornado. It looked like a mower had gone through. Trees in a hundred foot wide swath were simply gone, vanished! There were cars in the fields and a monument to a war hero and part of the base missing. Half of one big farmhouse was missing as well. Memorable, or should I say, unforgettable.
West of the Rockies
Probably going to be dome collective PTSD and more homelessness (certainly what happened after the Camp Fire in Butte County). Take care of each other out there.
trollhattan
Ooof, so glad you’re okay and the house will make it post-repair. Feel bad for the less-fortunate folks, who are legion as far as I can tell from the news.
College buddy decamped Silicon Valley for a job in Wichita Falls, TX where, he and a significant chunk of the city lost their housing to a massive tornado. After half a year sleeping on his boss’ sofa he bought the only car he could find–a Monte Carlo, lost his MG-B and Triumph Bonneville to the twister–and dragged his butt back to California and the Silicon Valley. Plenty of time to rest up before Loma Prieta Quake hit.
Bad luck, my friend has it.
Geminid
@oatler: Crazy as it is, Alex Jones’ story will get some credence.
206inKY
I’m so sorry I haven’t responded to all your kind comments yet. I’ve been offline this afternoon surveying the (formerly) wooded area behind my house and checking in on neighbors. The damage to the neighborhood is much more horrific than I realized when I was more narrowly focused on the street in front of my house Saturday morning.
Now I’m just sitting in my car in the driveway reading all your comments and sobbing. So much is lost—it’s a totally different landscape. I really appreciate all your love and sympathy, and I also share and understand the anger many of you expressed about anti-vaxxers, gun culture, etc. I don’t mean to excuse any of it when describing the generosity of the huge swarm of helpers who descended on our area with chainsaws and heavy equipment. Just trying to make sense of the complexity and outpouring of kindness and freely-given labor from people I previously dismissed as awful.
I mostly lurk, but BJ has for many years been a haven of sanity while adjusting to life in the South. You’re all wonderful human beings and I love you all very much.
opiejeanne
@topclimber: The MAGA next door would be over here doing the cleanup before the dust had settled.
He owns nothing, lives on SS in his former employer’s house (she was very careful to make sure we didn’t think they were living in sin), so he pays no taxes. I think the only thing he owns is his pickup and his clothing, but boy you should hear him bellyache about Democrats spending his money.
opiejeanne
@sab: Hiya! Thanks for asking.
I haven’t gotten an answer yet, but I don’t think my cousins’ areas got hit. They live in KC, MO, and Bonner Springs, KS. There’s another one who lives in Ohio, but I’m not sure where exactly (she has moved a lot in the last couple of years).
Not sure why no one has gotten in touch yet so I’m going to call again.
Nutmeg again
Don’t know you, but really, really glad to hear you are OK! also family, critter etc. Trees will grow back. Please stay safe.
Brachiator
Hoping that all necessary assistance gets to people affected there as soon as possible.
And it is great to hear all the stories of people lending a hand to help.
Continued good wishes!
Kelly
@206inKY: Happy you’re safe and found a place to stay. We evacuated for 2 weeks during last year’s Beachie fire in Oregon. The uncertainty was very stressful. Be kind to yourself.
opiejeanne
@206inKY: The ordeal must have been terrible, and what is yet to come will be difficult, but I’m glad you and your family are safe.
opiejeanne
@Kelly: You evacuated from your evacuation site, if I remember correctly.
Kelly
@opiejeanne: Almost. We spent a day on the “ready to go at any minute” status at our friends home. Fortunately the winds that had driven the fires stopped.
Paul in KY
Kentuckians, even the ones that politically are agin us, are generally kind people. I am very proud of my state’s response. I ask for prayers for all devastated by this disaster. Pure luck that my town was not flattened. Pure luck.
206inKY
@Paul in KY: Agree entirely! So glad your town was spared.