Saturday, June 27, 2009

Funnel Cloud

We had a little bit of excitement yesterday afternoon.

My husband was on his way out to do an estimate when he called me and said "go to the patio and take your camera."

He was parked outside our condo building watching this and calling me. The roadways were packed with people driving slowly and watching the funnel cloud. People were pulled over on the shoulder of the road with their cameras, clicking pictures. The local TV stations have video cameras on the downtown buildings and several of those cameras captured this entire event. When I could no longer see the cloud, I watched it on TV.

It was a bit scary because I'd never seen anything like that and it was a bit thrilling because it was so clear. I could actually see the thing moving! I was nervous because I had no idea where I was supposed to go if this tornado decided to come to me. I'm on the 5th floor of our condo - literally in the attic of our building. If the roof was to blow off, I'd see the sky. I decided to go to the stairwell on the first floor, if needed.



But the funnel cloud dissipated long before I even had to think about protective clothing, getting my neighbors, getting my cat in her carrier and any number of other things.

All this time the lightning strikes were all around - it was really loud. Cracking and Banging. Boom! The storm really picked up as the funnel cloud vanished. My Cable TV went out. The lights flickered. Internet down. Hail and rain pummeled us.

Then it was over.

The sky cleared up and the sun was shining again. It was an exciting 40 minutes.

Have a wonderful weekend!
Kristin

8 comments:

Keetha Broyles said...

Oh wow!!! I live in "tornado alley" and have NEVER actually seen one!!!

The stairwell on the lowest level was PERFECT plan.

Tricia said...

Wow! How exciting and completely scary all at the same time! I'm sure the cat was happy to be spared the evacuation plan. ;)
Have a great weekend!
*Tricia

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

Wow, exciting!
I once saw one at the beach and sat on the shore watching it spin about on the water. I took some pics, but it was years ago, before I had a ncier camera. The pictures aren't that clear because it was so far out.
Your pictures, however, are fantastic!Great shots! What an exciting experience. Glad all is ok.

Kristin - The Goat said...

Tricia - The cat didn't know just how pleased she was, that's for sure LOL

Keetha - I've lived in Michigan most of my life and never saw one there, either.

Leigh - Thanks! I had to shoot through my screen on my porch. I'm surprised the pictures are as clear as they are.

Sharinskishe said...

Yikes! Must have been scare....eeee!

Glad you didn't have to evacuate to the lower stairwell, but that would have been the best place to head. IMHO- never had to hide from a Tornado but my kids did when they were visiting the Grandparents in Indiana. They spent a few hours in the lower stairwell in their apartment complex. The 'nado missed 'em by ....that.... much. (half a mile) Thank Heavens.

Nice photos and a great outcome!

Take care and have a wonderful day.

Joan@anythinggoeshere said...

It looks really scary on the computer screen I can't imagine what it would have been like in person. Glad you, hubby and kitty are okay.

Mescrap said...

Ooh !!!! The tornado seems so close to your house.
I'm not too sure where shall I run if it's towards me ?

Melita said...

wow, that is pretty crazy!!