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Forces of Nature
Have you been chased by a tornado? Lived through something like Hurrican Andrew? Had everything you owned taken away by a huge flood? Forced to evacuate because a huge fire was headed your way?
Have you lived through a force of nature? What was it like? How did it make you feel? Do you have any advice for others who may some day find themselves in a similar situation?
When I was in my early 20s, I was driving north on I-95 (the interstate highway that goes from Florida to Maine). I was in Virginia and it was a horrible rain storm. I was just taking my time, listening to the radio. Not many other cars were on the road.
All of a sudden, the EBS (Emergency Broadcast System) came on with it's familiar tones. I thought it was a test until the announcer came on and said, "This is NOT a test. I repeat NOT a test." He proceeded to say that a tornado was spotted traveling in a north to north-east manner near some town. I can't for the life of me remember the name of the town, but I can remember looking at the road sign on the highway for the next exit... it was THAT town.
I looked in my rearview mirror... TORNADO. I could hear it when I turned down the radio... I tried to remember what the "experts" said you should do if you didn't have access to any type of shelter. I saw an overpass ahead. I knew I couldn't outrun the tornado, and it looked like it was coming my way. I parked under the overpass, and ran my ass up as far as I could go inside of it. It's not so easy to run up that concrete when you're panicking.
Yes, it was a good idea. I don't want to know what would have happened if I didn't remember that advice.
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