We are OK !

[bvar22]

To our friends in the Gardening Group, Starkraven and myself are OK.
We are without power, but we have a generator.

The tornado passed several miles to our south at about sunset. We had no damage, but it was a long night.
The storm tracked across our fire district, and we were paged out to bring rescue vehicles and chain saws to Mena. (We are Volunteer Firefighters and Starkraven is the First Responder for our district).

About 1/2 way to Mena (Hwy 375W), the road was blocked by many, many large fallen trees, downed powerlines & poles, and debris from smashed houses. We spent the night cutting our way through to Mena with chain saws and checking the smashed houses (piles of rubble) for survivors. It was the stuff of nightmares. No lights anywhere except the flashing red beacons on our trucks... unrecognizable, smashed landscape,... ghostly survivors stumbling down the road in the dark....


Mena looks bad.
The death toll is low (3 so far) for the amount of damage we saw.
It will be a long time before that area recovers.
Lots of elderly/retired/low income on that section of Highway (375) going into Mena.
Pray for them, or send them love in your own way.

Bob & Kirsty

[WolverineDG]

1. Glad to hear you guys are okay!

:hug:

dg

[hippywife]

2. Thank goodness!

Glad to hear you escaped the carnage. We got some hail and rain early evening, and I was really hoping for some more but just ended up with ridiculously high winds. That was scary enough with all the grass fires about.

This is turning out to be a horrifying spring so far.

Hugs to you both, and the brood. :hug:

[pleah]

3. So glad you are OK.

:scared: :hug:


I have been close to that kind of action and I would not wish it on anyone.

[uppityperson]

4. Glad to hear you are ok.

Having been in a big one as a toddler, they scare the crap out of me. Glad you are ok, hoping people are ok.

[dgibby]

5. So glad you are ok!

Thanks for all the work you're doing to help others. I remember what hurricane Hugo was like. Everybody pitched in to help--made things a lot better for all of us.

[sazemisery]

6. Thank goodness.

Be safe.

[HamdenRice]

7. Great news! nt

[hippywife]

8. Hey...

Just checking back in on you two. Hope all is well and that you'll update us as soon as you can. :hug:

[flying_wahini]

9. Do you need anything?

Is the mail service ongoing?

I just went thru Ike - so I kinda know what you must be going thru...

Let me know if I can do anything for you.

[NJCher]

10. What a story

I am glad you are OK. I remember your posts and pics from last year and DU's Gardening forum wouldn't be the same if your camera and twisted its way to Kansas!

Will be sending positive thoughts to those in your area who were damaged by the weather. Thank heavens for people like you who volunteer.


Cher