Scariest storm you've ever seen?

[ALAYMAN]

From the midwest to the east coast we just  had  (a week ago) a derecho with wind gusts up to 90 miles an hour that knocked out power to over 3 million homes.  By the grace of God we personally were spared, though people all around us still don't have power.  A day after that storm hit, we had one nearly as bad.  Tonight, a third storm kicked us in the pants.  Hail came down for nearly a half hour and winds were fierce, causing damage to our gazebo and flooding our patio and pond.  That's three freakish storms in less than a week.  Is it the end of the world or what? 

Anyhoo, what's the worst storm you've ever been in?

 

[Castor Muscular]

There was a tornado outbreak in Missouri.  I was outside when the sirens went off, and I could see funnel clouds forming over the next town.  Then my son and I started looking right straight above us at the clouds when the clouds started getting lower and lower.  Intellectually, I knew what was happening.  A wall cloud was forming right on top of us.  But I was mesmerized by the spectacle because I'd never seen anything like it before.  It was almost as if in a few minutes I would be able to reach up and touch the cloud.  Then it started spinning into a funnel.  That's when we ran around telling everyone to take cover (pretty stupid, but I won't pretend we did otherwise).  However, a few minutes later, the funnel above us dissipated. 

Later that night, we saw the continuous lightning that accompanied tornadoes hitting Kansas City. 

 

[ALAYMAN]

....  That's when we ran around telling everyone to take cover (pretty stupid, but I won't pretend we did otherwise)....

lol, I've got my own to top that one, maybe.


We were in the Smoky Mountains coming down the tram when we were very near Gatlinburg.  We passed over a little BBQ joint and could see bears out back of the place rummaging through the garbage looking for food.  We immediately got off the sky tram and ran back behind the restaurant.  People were all running past us the opposite direction screaming "there's bears back there"!  We just said "yeah, we know, that's why we're headed this way".  Stoooooopid.  Very fortunate not to have ended up on the news that nite as a statistic and point of ridicule.

 

[jimmudcatgrant]

From the midwest to the east coast we just  had  (a week ago) a derecho with wind gusts up to 90 miles an hour that knocked out power to over 3 million homes.  By the grace of God we personally were spared, though people all around us still don't have power.  A day after that storm hit, we had one nearly as bad.  Tonight, a third storm kicked us in the pants.  Hail came down for nearly a half hour and winds were fierce, causing damage to our gazebo and flooding our patio and pond.  That's three freakish storms in less than a week.  Is it the end of the world or what? 

Anyhoo, what's the worst storm you've ever been in?

Had some scary ones out to sea, and even one in port.  The swells were washing over the bow of the aircraft carrier during one storm.  I was part of the bridge watch team, and was standing forward lookout.  The wind was so bad that we tied ourself down, if you can believe that.  Once I was driving a 60 foot UB taking the crew to shore for liberty and the swells were washing out and the boat was free falling.  It was all I could do to make sure that I stayed with the swells and that I  didn't let them get broadside of me and swamp us.  Once I got to shore, they secured boating and I had to stay on shore for 3 days and sleep in my boat.  Of course, the men going to shore were yelling in delight as they had no idea how close we were to capsizing.

 

[ALAYMAN]

[quote author=jimmudcatgrant]
Had some scary ones out to sea, and even one in port.  The swells were washing over the bow of the aircraft carrier during one storm.  I was part of the bridge watch team, and was standing forward lookout.  The wind was so bad that we tied ourself down, if you can believe that.  Once I was driving a 60 foot UB taking the crew to shore for liberty and the swells were washing out and the boat was free falling.  It was all I could do to make sure that I stayed with the swells and that I  didn't let them get broadside of me and swamp us.  Once I got to shore, they secured boating and I had to stay on shore for 3 days and sleep in my boat.  Of course, the men going to shore were yelling in delight as they had no idea how close we were to capsizing.
[/quote]

We're getting to go on an anniversary cruise to the Carribean, so cut it out with the rough seas stories!





Thanks for your service to the country bro.

 

[jimmudcatgrant]

[quote author=jimmudcatgrant]
Had some scary ones out to sea, and even one in port.  The swells were washing over the bow of the aircraft carrier during one storm.  I was part of the bridge watch team, and was standing forward lookout.  The wind was so bad that we tied ourself down, if you can believe that.  Once I was driving a 60 foot UB taking the crew to shore for liberty and the swells were washing out and the boat was free falling.  It was all I could do to make sure that I stayed with the swells and that I  didn't let them get broadside of me and swamp us.  Once I got to shore, they secured boating and I had to stay on shore for 3 days and sleep in my boat.  Of course, the men going to shore were yelling in delight as they had no idea how close we were to capsizing.

We're getting to go on an anniversary cruise to the Carribean, so cut it out with the rough seas stories!

[color=blue[/color]Sorry, but y'all will be fine on that big cruise ship.    If you do happen to hit rough water and it does affect the ship. eat saltines and drink seven up.  That is what they always gave us, not that I ever needed it as I never got sea sick, thank the Lord.  Congrats on the anniversary cruise.  My wife and I hope to do the same thing one day, Lord willing.





Thanks for your service to the country bro.
[/quote]

Your welcome.

 

[samspade]

In April, 2011 an F-4 tornado (the one that destroyed Tuscaloosa, AL) passed within 1/4 mile of our house. We opened the front door, watched and listened as it went by. The next morning we learned that within 3-4 miles of our house, 15 people had been killed. There were two neighborhoods (8-10 houses each), one on either side of our house, that were wiped off the face of the earth. I hope I never top that one.

 

[Sherryh]

A hurricane is right up there ............we experienced several a few years ago and I'll never forget it...........the howl of the wind and to see things flying through the air is scary. We have a new roof and we put shutters on windows for blowing objects. Everyone needs to have a safe place in their home............

 

[ALAYMAN]

In April, 2011 an F-4 tornado (the one that destroyed Tuscaloosa, AL) passed within 1/4 mile of our house. We opened the front door, watched and listened as it went by. The next morning we learned that within 3-4 miles of our house, 15 people had been killed. There were two neighborhoods (8-10 houses each), one on either side of our house, that were wiped off the face of the earth. I hope I never top that one.

Did it sound like the proverbial "freight train" as it passed by?

 

[Castor Muscular]

Did it sound like the proverbial "freight train" as it passed by?

I lived in Alexandria, Virginia for a while.  I stepped out onto the balcony of the apartment, which faced the train station for the train coming out of DC.  I heard the train coming, and I kept watching for it to appear, but it never did.  It was a mystery to me.

The next day, I saw on the news that there was a small tornado in Alexandria.  If I went out the front of the apartment instead of the back, I probably would have seen it.

 

[JrChurch]

I grew up in Kansas City and have lived in 6 other states so we've experienced a variety of storms.  We lived 7 years in Florida and the Caribbean without a major storm, but a hurricane (Bob) hit us directly in Rhode Island.  Go figure.

Most annoying was that derecho!!  Our county was hit hard.  No power, many areas without water, and it seemed like we could not get relief from days of heat.  We were without power for 5 days, even though we are not out in the "hollers."  Thousands in our area had no power for 10-plus days.  Restaurants, gas stations and supermarkets were without power.  The hotels in the area were packed with people who had empty gas tanks and no where within many miles to refuel.  We had church, fueled by Holy Spirit power  .  A second storm knocked out our power again for many hours. 

I have 2 full-size refrigerator/freezers and 1 full-size freezer that are cleaner than they have been since they were new. I now love ice.  And I am now extremely fond of my washer/dryer.  I had a full house when the storm hit and 4 visiting family members left after a few hot days.  I had 9 beds that needed changing, plus piles of towels to be washed before 5 more family members came to visit and no way to do laundry. 

Our main hospital ran on generators for 20 hours and the generators overheated because of extended use in the heat.  Instead of the typical dozens of Saturday emergency surgeries, there was 1 emergency C-section.  The power company restored power to the hospitals and nursing homes first.  My mom is in a nursing home for rehab following a fractured hip, so I was thankful power was only out 20 hours for her.

Most of us realize we are very spoiled.  And so was our food. 

 

[ALAYMAN]

Wow, just wow.  In our area the derecho had service knocked out for nearly a week, but like I said, the ALAYfamily was blessed to be able to not see even an hour without power.  Back in 93 southern Ohio and WV had a killer ice storm that knocked out power for lots of folks for a long time.  We were only without for about 3 days, and it was one of the most stressful situations I've faced.  Don't know how y'all did it, especially with the events in your family that you described.

I grew up in Kansas City and have lived in 6 other states so we've experienced a variety of storms.  We lived 7 years in Florida and the Caribbean without a major storm, but a hurricane (Bob) hit us directly in Rhode Island.  Go figure.

Most annoying was that derecho!!  Our county was hit hard.  No power, many areas without water, and it seemed like we could not get relief from days of heat.  We were without power for 5 days, even though we are not out in the "hollers."  Thousands in our area had no power for 10-plus days.  Restaurants, gas stations and supermarkets were without power.  The hotels in the area were packed with people who had empty gas tanks and no where within many miles to refuel.  We had church, fueled by Holy Spirit power  .  A second storm knocked out our power again for many hours. 

I have 2 full-size refrigerator/freezers and 1 full-size freezer that are cleaner than they have been since they were new. I now love ice.  And I am now extremely fond of my washer/dryer.  I had a full house when the storm hit and 4 visiting family members left after a few hot days.  I had 9 beds that needed changing, plus piles of towels to be washed before 5 more family members came to visit and no way to do laundry. 

Our main hospital ran on generators for 20 hours and the generators overheated because of extended use in the heat.  Instead of the typical dozens of Saturday emergency surgeries, there was 1 emergency C-section.  The power company restored power to the hospitals and nursing homes first.  My mom is in a nursing home for rehab following a fractured hip, so I was thankful power was only out 20 hours for her.

Most of us realize we are very spoiled.  And so was our food. 

 

[samspade]

Did it sound like the proverbial "freight train" as it passed by?

Actually it did.