TORNADO of 1982





A view of the trees on the back of the house.

In talking with several of the old~timers, we were to learn that a tornado had come through the neighborhood seven years prior to this one. The first one struck the other end of the block


I had been horseback riding with my friend Sandy, and since Bruce was working late, when we had finished riding, she invited me to join her and John for dinner. As we sat down to eat, a thunderstorm kicked up, and it began to rain heavily. It looked far worse in the distance, and I remember thinking, that "Someone is getting a hell of a storm."

I had no way of knowing that, "that someone" was us, until I received a call from Bruce about 9:30 p.m. "Terrie," he said, "I think you better come home. There's a tree on our house." I was to learn after our brief conversation, that there were several trees on our house.





These photos were taken a few hours into the clean-up project.

Bruce had advised me to take the first road into the community, because the second road was impassable, due to the  downed trees and electric lines. I had to park my car several houses away, and walk in the dark, up, over, and through a jungle of trees and branches, to  reach my home.


When I arrived at the side door, there was a tree laying across the entrance, and I was only able to open the door just enough to squeeze inside. There was a tree across the front door as well. Bruce had been out walking around the neighborhood, accessing the damage, and making sure that everyone was alright.

 






The house next door was cut in half by a tree that sliced  though two stories. Fortunately, no one was there at the time.


Bruce came back to get me, and we continued to check out the neighborhood. Surprisingly, the house next door to us, still had a light on inside, and from what we could see in the dark, it didn't look all that bad. The next day however, we would be surprised at we would find. And grateful that we were so fortunate.


The following day, the power was still out, and would remain out for the next twenty -four hours. We were very fortunate to have so many wonderful friends to help us with the clean up. John and Sandy Griffiths, Mike and Kay Arms, John and Pat Berlin, and Rick Carrion. They all came with tools and chainsaws, and in time, we were able to see our way though it all.



A view from the side. Note the little car. A 1965 Classic Griffith. Before we began the clean up, there were trees all around it, and surprisingly, the car was unharmed.



John Griffiths and Mike Arms.




Another view of the Griffith. Fortunately, the sailboat was in the water, as well.



Sandy Griffiths and Mike Arms.

 


I'm sure that all of you have heard of the saying, "Be careful what you wish for."  So true that is... four days before the tornado stuck, I was walking around the yard with my sister-in-law, Patti, and I was pointing out several trees that I would like to take down, to allow more sunlight in to the yard. As it turned out, everyone of those trees came down, as well as several others. The moral of the story..." Careful what you wish for."



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