Tornado - April 15th

About 2am on April 15th, we awoke to some loud noises. It was roaring and it felt like our house was shaking. The rain was pouring outside, and our power was gone. A few minutes later, the sirens started blaring. We looked out the back windows, but didn't check out front. When we did wake up and look out front, this is the first thing we saw.

A huge tree across the street had fallen and got pretty close to hitting Graeme's car (he had borrowed Jason's pickup).

The kids and I got dressed and went outside to see everything. Everyone in the neighborhood was out visiting (since no one had any power) and checking out the damage. This is the house across the street from us - with a tree on top of it. The tree fell from the backyard, so it is completely on the house.

This is the cul de sac across from us. To give you an idea of the size -if you look over on the right, you can see a teenage girl walking around the tree. This tree crushed a minivan. It's actually hidden under all those branches too.

This tree fell from the front of his house and has branches touching the ground in his living room. With all the repairs, they estimate it will be about 3 months before this house is livable again.

This is the only way out of our neighborhood. It is blocked by two huge fallen trees.

Reagan & Reese climbing on the trees blocking the road.

This is Markham Street. It's blocked by trees. And, check out all the downed power lines!!

The girls on the trees again. Check out how the roots just ripped out the ground around the tree.

Reese climbing the trees some more.

Another tree down in a neighbor's yard. Reagan, KeShuanna and Reese were climbing it too.

This is the tree in front of our house again. It's right behind our driveway. I wouldn't be able to get out if I wanted to. Not that I could go anywhere with the way out blocked anyway.

Lots of fallen branches in our backyard

Another HUGE fallen tree in our neighbors' backyard. The one landed on Wowo & Poppy's deck and the corner of their master bedroom. I saw the crack in their ceiling just over their bed. So scary!!

It hit not only their house, but the house next to them too - in their master bedroom as well.

And, with all these obstacles, Jason still managed to make it to work on time! The Goldings called to check on us when they saw on the news that it may have been near us. Which was good since we had no power, thus no alarm. Then, when Jason discovered he couldn't get out onto Markham, he walked to Burlington Coat Factory. Graeme picked him up there and dropped him off at the hospital.

Then, Graeme came to the rescue again. About 6pm, he hiked into our neighborhood and helped the kiddos and I hike out. He carried 2 car seats and a pack-n-play while I pushed the double stroller loaded down with baby, bags, Blake's suction machine, and a few toys. Whew. . . Then, the Goldings let us crash at their place for the next 4 nights while we waited to get cleared roads and power.

Since Markham was blocked too, the tree services couldn't get to us, so Graeme (and Jason until he got called in) got out with chain saws and started cutting up the trees to clear the roads. Other neighbors and friends & family of neighbors came out to join them. It was pretty neat to see people coming together like that!

Thank God for wonderful friends! We love you Graeme and Wendy!!