Today I'm going to do something I don't normally do...I'm using pictures I took 3 years ago today on March 25, 2008. It is a day I remember all too well because an EF5 tornado ripped through Parkersburg, Iowa that day and it just happened to be where my grandson Joey and his mother Jen were living in an apartment at the time. There were severe weather and tornado watches/warnings posted all day and I had decided I wanted to get a weather radio so my husband Bob and I headed for Walmart to get one. At that time I rarely if ever took my camera with me unless I was going on vacation or a birthday party but the sky was really weird that day so for some reason I grabbed it and got in the truck. While we were in Walmart my son called in a panic and said there was a tornado about to hit Parkersburg and he didn't know if Jen and Joey were there or not so we decided to drive over there not even knowing for sure where their apartment was since they had just recently moved there. On the way it was confirmed on the radio that a powerful tornado had indeed hit the small town. It's about a half hour drive from Waterloo so it was a nerve-wracking trip to say the least. As we neared the town we began to see debris in the fields and the closer we got the worse it got, then came the sound of sirens. By the time we drove into town and got a full view of the devastation I started shaking uncontrollably. We walked all over trying to find them and saw people in shock, sobbing and hugging....it was like being in a nightmare but you couldn't wake up. Here are some pictures I took....these were taken very soon after the tornado went through. I believe we were among the first to arrive on the scene. We spent hours that day trying to find out where Jen and Joey were, if they were even in Parkersburg or at her mother's. It wasn't until later that evening we found out they were safe.
My heart goes out to all those victims of the recent tornados, There are no words or even pictures to describe the utter destruction these storms can cause. I've witnessed 2 of them now and the mere mention of a tornado watch or warning brings back images I'd rather forget and sends me straight to into panic mode. The first tornado was in my hometown of Ankeny, Iowa on June 18, 1974 which wasn't nearly as big as the Parkersburg tornado but still caused a lot of damage and some vivid memories.
Oh, Paula, these pictures are terrifying in their detail; especially the middle one that shows the scale of the damage. My heart has been going out to the poor people up there with their shocking experiences of late. Thankyou for bringing it home to us, and I'm glad to know that Jen and Joey were safe.
These photos are very moving. I can't imagine living with the possibility of something so destructive hitting us (and reasonably often as well). We too have watched appalled by the terrible storms recently and are overwhelmed by the fortitude of your neighbours.
Wow! These are powerful photos. I have not seen the pictures yet about the tornado damage in my city. Tornadoes are so scary because they are unpredictable. I am so glad your family was safe.
I'm glad your family was safe! When I was growing up, we never had them here in Tennessee. Now Tennessee is a part of Tornado Alley and we have had several in Middle Tennessee in the last couple of years. Last year, they were showing a funnel cloud on tv that was over the area where my children were. I couldn't get them on the phone and I was in a panic until I finally knew they were safe. Tornados are so unpredictable!!! They can take one house and leave the next one unharmed. I will be glad when the tornado season is over for another year!
Incredible and moving shots, I don't think unless you experience this, you can't really appreciate the power and destruction of these tornado's. Glad your family were safe that day.
Great shots. I can't begin to imagine the terror. I always feel for the kids in these situations because they see and experience things that no child should ever have to witness. I keep them all in my prayers.
My sister lives in Cairns which becomes the target of cyclones every cyclone season and we used to live in Samoa (same deal re cyclones) so I can personally relate to how scary the power ofan angry mother nature can be. what an incredible record of the destruction you have.
Paula, this is very dramatic and poignant. This must be one of the worst years for tornados. 50 in Wisconsin alone. This is the same as the total of all of 2010. Many years ago we had a big tornado like this that ripped through the middle of West Bend where I live. An entire section of town was destroyed and I think two people. I was luckily visiting my parents out of town. I remember providing therapy for a couple of years afterward. One person had yet to put pictures on her wall. She was afraid to temp fate in case another tornado came through and desroyed her rebuilt home. Thanks for sharing and I am so glad you dear grandchild was safe.
It's hard to put into words - your photos are so intense and your story really made me cry. There have so many profound tragedies and it's so hard to make sense of any of it. Thank you forvsharing your personal story. I'm so glad your's had a happy outcome....
You brought tears into my eyes! I can't even imagine how it must have been, being there, looking for your loved ones. Your collage tell the story so well. My heart goes out to the victims of the recent tornado's, they are so devastating! I hope your country has the strength to build back what was lost.
wow...thanks for sharing...i am happy that it is over and behind everyone, but the destruction is just crazy. we don't have them here...just earthquakes so i have never seen anything except for TV and magazine..thanks for bringing this to our attention. excellent series of shots
great collage, even tho it is of destruction...Im originally from Des Moines been in 2 tornado's there and now in Missouri been close to a couple and south of us.....what happened last Sunday in Joplin is just unbelievably sad such devastation....glad your family was ok...
I've never experienced a tornado, but your photos do a great job of conveying the total destruction. Thankful your family was safe. I'm sure that kind of loss had a profound effect on everyone who lived there, or who had loved ones there.
We have been lucky so far..only a minor one struck one of our neighboring town with roof damage etc. can't really imagine what you went through while driving towards the tornado stricken town and not knowing where to look for your relatives must have been nerve wrecking...I'm afraid this memory will stick with you even when you try
Jen and Joey were safe.
Oh m y goodness! great series of shots Paula of a very tragic natural event. We are so unfamiliar with this here in the UK - we have bad storms but I'm not sure I've ever witnessed this scale of destruction. I'm glad your family were safe but as you say thoughts to all those who have lost loved one past and present through all types of natural disasters.
Heart wrenching photos, Paula, especially considering the recent devastation in Alabama and Missouri. I can only imagine how terrified you must have been. So glad Jen and Joey were safe.
Oh my goodness! What a scary story you have shared. Storms can be so destructive. I am living in the UK away from my home in Brisbane, Qld Australia where the severe storms and floods hit earlier this year and caused so much devastation. I fear returning home in August to see the remaining damage. My heart and prayers go out to everyone who is touched by sever weather.
Bless you all xo Thank you for sharing this
so powerful these pictures are. so frightening......hard to wrap my head around such destruction, but your amazing photos really drive it home. so glad your grandson and family were safe. take care.....
June 12th, 2011
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Jen and Joey were safe.
Bless you all xo Thank you for sharing this