This photo has nothing to do with this post. It’s a picture of the wild honeysuckle that is blooming near the shed. It’s everywhere on the property.
Yesterday ended up being a rollercoaster of craziness. It started off with me sitting on the porch, writing my blog post about how much I love my house and gardens. Then it got very, very humid – 88 degrees and humid in mid-May is not normal. I knew we were going to get some severe thunderstorms in the afternoon, so I ran some errands in the morning.
I kept an eye on the forecast and read that the worst of the storms would be headed our way sometime between 3 and 7. As I watched the radar, the band of storms looked pretty ominous and there were hints that there might be a tornado watch, so I moved everything that could be a projectile onto the porch floor or into the house and I moved the white chairs from the funky patio to a place near the shed. The prediction was for high winds and golfball sized hail.
Then, the minute I saw that there was a tornado warning, I got a text from Rick, who was in NYC, telling me to get in my basement. At the same time, Doug, who is here, called me. We agreed to keep in phone contact – neither of us was ready to go in the basement yet. My basement entrance is outside, if you remember, and I wasn’t about to go down there unless I had to.
That started about an hour or so of fear. We kept clocking the tornado warning and when it ended at 3:30, we thought “Okay! That’s done.” The band of storms hadn’t reached us yet. Then a new tornado warning came through as an alert on my phone (first time that’s ever happened) and it was to last until 4:15. In the meantime, I was texting Don and Rick and talking to Doug on the phone. That warning ended (I had my phone charged and a flashlight at the ready in case I had to go to the basement) and, sure enough, we got another warning that went to 4:45. In the meantime, the storms had started to hit and Doug urged me to go in the basement, but when I saw the rain going sideways and the wind, I knew it would be very hard to get the outside door open, so I went into the bathroom instead. I plopped a chair in the tub, closed the shower curtain, and stayed there. (Quite the picture, I know.)
All the while I heard thunder and wind and rain pelting the house. The sky turned black. It was very, very scary. The wind sounded like a freight train. Cell phone in hand, I kept tracking the storm. Finally, both Doug and I thought we could emerge from our shelters since the storm seemed to be winding down. We were about 2/3 of the way through it at that point. The lights kept blinking throughout the storm. I could hear the siren in town go off. And I saw several emergency vehicles speed past my house. That happened throughout the evening. I smelled a fire throughout the night, so something was hit by lightning.
I was tracking friends through Facebook. The damage around the Hudson Valley is severe. Tornadoes did touch down, though the National Weather Service has yet to verify it officially. Trees are down everywhere, commuters couldn’t get home on the train from NYC because of damage to the tracks, power is out in many communities.
We were lucky.
That doesn’t mean I wasn’t terrified. I was. I know many of you deal with this quite often, but we don’t. I can’t remember one tornado warning in the almost 17 years we’ve lived out here. Tornado watches…yes. Not warnings. The occasional, very rare, tornado touches down out here in the East. But a line of storms like this is not the norm.
I went outside later and put everything to rights. It’s supposed to rain again today, but I’m assuming it will be rather gentle compared to what we saw yesterday. Honestly, I kept thinking how bizarrely ironic it would be if I lost my house and gardens on the same day I had written so glowingly about them.
Sigh of relief.
Don had to be in a rehearsal and kept checking on me via text messages. Imagine how powerless he felt. I had left him one phone message where I was crying, but thankfully, he didn’t hear that until after he knew I was okay.
Exhausted today. But thankful. And grateful for Doug’s calm voice on the other end of the phone.
Happy Wednesday.
Claudia, I’m so thankful you’re okay and your cottage and beautiful gardens were not damaged. So scary! We live in a region in Canada that experienced the largest and most powerful Tornado back in 1987. I will never forget that day and now when the sky turns and the winds pick up, my heart still races.
I hope today’s rain is light and short.
We need rain so bad. Fires all around us. Strangest Spring weather ever!
X Chy
Very strange weather! I hope you get rain, Chy!
I was just discussing with a friend how all regions have their scary natural disasters. We have hurricanes here and those are every year now, it seems. At last we have some warning, but that’s cold comfort.
We had a really bad rainstorm last night.
Glad all’s well, Claudia. By the way, there are no basements here, so this is out of my area, but isn’t unusual for an interior not to be connected to the basement? Just curious, not judging!
We’ve had three hurricanes since we moved here, as well.
Not in small older houses – remember the Wizard of Oz? Same thing. Our house was built in 1891.
I think the outside entrance basements used to be called storm cellars. They were used to shelter from storms and also storage for root vegetables and home canned goods. ~Sherry
I think you’re right, Sherry.
The scene in the Wizard of Oz came to mind when you reminded us that your basement is only accessible from out doors. Very scary! We have tornadoes regularly in my area of Minnesota and they are bad but they are nothing like the ones in the plains states which are often up to 1 mile wide.
Glad that you are safe!
We had microbursts, as well, which are just as damaging as a tornado. We had one a couple of years ago and it was THE most frightening weather I’ve ever witnessed.,
Goodness that would be terrifying. My sister lives in Wisconsin where tornado warnings are quite the norm and she describes the sound exactly as you did – like a freight train.
So happy you and your garden are safe and sound.
I grew up with tornado warnings in Michigan. But this line of storms and tornados and microbursts was devastating.
I’m so glad you are safe! We had the warnings yesterday, too, but escaped the wind and only had rain. Being home alone was probably the worst for you, huh?
Doesn’t the honeysuckle have a nice fragrance? It is beautiful, but I’ve never had any around to sniff—now I’m remembering the Honeysuckle Bubble Bath I had as a kid.
Wild honeysuckle doesn’t have much of a fragrance, unfortunately. I wish it did!
Since we are across the river from you we went through the same thing. Earlier in the day our friend Yvette, who lives in Kingston, posted on Facebook to expect a tornado. I dismissed it. Noble had gone out shopping around 4. Suddenly my phone begins a loud alert saying TAKE COVER NOW. Just then Noble appears because he could see the storm clouds headed our way. We hustled down to the basement and the wind and sound was terrifying. The basement begins flooding. It looks like night time and then it’s over. Luckily, it traveled east and we escaped the worst of it. Plants flattened but that’s about it. Glad you’re okay. Would have called but it happened so fast.
Glad Noble got home in time, Tina! Happy you’re safe.
Friends are always there when we need them the most
Lucky you!
Yes, very lucky!
Yes, we get tornadoes quite often, but I’m still sorry that you had to go through those hours of waiting it out.
Very tense. I’m so glad it’s over.
So very glad you and your cottage and garden are all safe. It must have been a terrifying time for you.
Thank you, Dottie.
That is so scary! I’ve been in a few really frightening storms where I was in the bathroom with the cat. Glad you had a calm voice on the phone and texts from your husband and friend. Just so so relieved to know you are OK and all is well. It’s raining here but no tornado watch or warnings so far. That was a doozy of a storm you had.
It was terrible and there were at least two deaths from the storm. So sad.
I saw a bit on the news last night (which I don’t usually watch) but the weather made me curious how bad it was…bad!!
Bad, indeed!
Glad you are okay but next time go to the basement before the wind gets too strong? I had images of Dorothy struggling and failing to get into the basement from the Wizard of Oz. Don’t want you to be blown away! I saw images of Grand Central station last night and wondered how you were doing.
The basement is spooky and cobwebby. I actually think I was safer (and saner) in the bathtub!
I’m so glad you’re okay and safe. It must have been terrifying. You’re blessed to have a husband and friends you were able to keep in touch with. We had a terrible thunderstorm here last night in Baltimore, but no high winds.
Thank you, Carol!
Glad to hear you are safe and sound…and weathered the storm…(sorry). I know Doug’s voice on the other end of the line had a calming effect, but I also know, too well, the fear that you must have experienced. We’ve had many close calls here in Madison, and spent many hours in our family room (bi-level home, no basement), trying to seek shelter. One time, 5 of us were squeezed into a small half bath on that level…our kids were small thankfully.
Your description of the chair in the bathtub did conjour up quite the vision…hopefully, you won’t ever have to repeat that experience. Glad the gardens survived too….you were very lucky, Claudia. Such destruction, and loss of life….all so quickly. That’s why, tornado watches and warnings are not to be taken lightly. Hope today is a calmer one for you! ;)
Exactly. When I see ‘warning’ on my weather app and a text warning on my phone, I take it very seriously!
Happily, all my Danbury, Brookfield and New Milford family and friends are okay after that wild ride.
Good news!
Thank God you are all right! Thank God for your friends, and that they are all right! Hugs!
Thank you, Tina-Marie.
I hate when we get those watches and warnings. Most especially if I am home alone. We DO have a basement, but there is no way I could ever get 2 Greyhounds and a cat down there with me. I know the simple and correct answer would be to just go by myself. But, if you knew me, you would realize that just wouldn’t happen.
So glad to hear you and MHC are ok. I thought of you when I was listening to the news last night. Did all of your plants do ok? Even if they get beaten down, they do usually bounce back. The hail is the scariest thing of all as it hits the house, roof, vehicles and plants. Glad you didn’t have that, but what we imagine as we are in the dark is the scariest of all.
I hope you have a totally uneventful and peaceful Wednesday!!
I used to worry about that with our aging dogs. I knew we’d never get them down there (the steps are narrow and the dogs would have been panicked) so I often thought I’d just have to make due with the bathroom.
Plants are a bit beaten down, but no hail, so no damage!
OMG, I’m out of breath; what a harrowing account and of course you’re perfectly descriptive. I had NO idea you had tornado threat where you are; if I ever knew, I’d forgotten. When I lived on the Gulf Coast and for the first time ever in my life had to start living every day by the weather channel on TV, NOTHING more scary than seeing a tornado watch/warning coming right atcha, the sky turning green, or black in the middle of the afternoon with cars needing their headlights and we had no shelter at either the block-long, 3-story building I worked in OR my house. I have sat in my tub, Claudia. I know what that’s like. I feel for ya, but you got through it. I am SO glad you have these two nice guys now as your neighbor!
Yes! I know Don is glad, too. He knew that Doug and I were keeping in touch.
It’s 9pm here out where I am and was catching up to news/headlines from the a.m. Just read about your northeast storms; killer storms. Claudia, you were in the thick of it!
I was!
Glad you and your home are okay. That was quite a storm. Hugs.
Thank you, Rose!
you have nice friends! And being in the bathtub was a good place to be. I think these storms are going to continue. If I were you I would fix myself a little emergency kit and put it in the basement/cellar. We are expecting a earthquake around here and lots of us are making emergency kits. I need to work on mine.
Thanks, Jan!
late in getting here.
wow! if you’re not used to them they can definitely get your attention!
we have had a very low impact tornado season so far. usually by now we’ve had many!
well… 8 the other night but they were only F1’s. they can still do damage.
but now it seems that tornadoes are all over the place! and in areas that never have them,
so glad Doug was there for you as a calm voice.
i have a kid’s bicycle helmet to put on when i shelter in place. it helps make you feel safer! lol!
We had a microburst here two years ago that did as much damage as a tornado. It sheared one of our trees and broke the poles holding the power lines in half. And I’ve been through hurricanes and earthquakes. Not at all fun!
what you’re talking about is the reason i sold my little cottage and moved to an apartment.
it was too much for one person. well … THIS one person! i had to put on two roofs and one whole side of my house while i lived there! (from different tornadoes) just couldn’t keep doing that. now my insurance only has to cover my personal possessions! lol.
and now if there’s damage … i know it’s the apartment complex’s problem.
kind of a coward’s way out and there are things i gave up.
but for peace of mind it’s okay!
I completely understand!
Claudia, what a terrifying post to read. I’ve never experienced tornado warnings or tornados. The worst natural disaster in my immediate area would be earthquakes. I don’t live in a woodsy or forested area, being in an urban setting, but the next worse disaster for neighboring communities would be fire. I experienced both when I lived in the hills, and the Loma Prieta earthquake didn’t scare me but the Oakland Hills Firestorm did. My neighborhood would have been the next one to evacuate as the fire made its way south. Fortunately, it was contained before it got to us. However, many of us were standing on the freeway over crossing that night watching the orange glow and. smoke in the distance. My husband and I brought sacks of sandwiches and large cups of hot coffee to the men who were “guarding” the on-ramps, making sure no one inadvertently got onto the freeway heading towards the fire. It was a scary night, our cars were packed with what we could carry, we made peace with what we might lose, and we kept our cat confined to one room so we could catch her quickly. So, I know how terrified you, Don and your friends Rick and Doug must have been in the midst of things. I’m grateful you are now safe. Hope the next few days of weather are a piece of cake in comparison.
I’ve been through earthquakes, hurricanes and tornadoes/microbursts. Fire is usually not too big of a threat around here but I would find that absolutely terrifying. Thanks, Wendy!
Thank God you are ok! Yesterday must have been terrifying. I was watching the news last night and they covered it all. They showed Grand Central Station wall to wall people. I am glad you had Doug close by, and clean up the basement a bit so you can go down there in plenty of time!
It’s full of cobwebs. I should go down there and clean them up. Thanks, Tana.
Good grief, what a nightmare you lived through. We had storm warnings up here too – although I don’t think tornados were part of the picture – and in the end I’m not sure it even rained. Twas a very dark day, with very steady rain in the morning & most of the afternoon. Saw VERY black clouds coming from the west when I went out to do the marketing. Then around 5 pm, things started to lighten up a bit. So glad you & your friends are OK. While I’d never be called someone who’s addicted to my phone, I know I’d be like you yesterday – pretty much keeping track of everything while the storm advisories were up. Those darn phones are really handy at times like that. Have a good evening, my friend. Lots of deep dreamy restful sleep! Peace.
#Resist
#ProtectMueller
I remember listening to a transistor radio during one tornado warning when I was much younger. Cell phones sure make information much more accessible. Thanks, Janet.
I am so happy to know you and Doug went through such a storm safely!…I’m sure Don and Rick went through hell just worrying about you two…So sad to know that there were deaths from it…I must view the news online about this storm!…I go through watches/warnings here also and have felt the occasional earthquake…so far this year we have been lucky…I don’t know how Don made it through having to be funny while knowing what was going on at home…I just that’s why they call it acting…Take care my friend…
Thank you so much, Nancy.
Thank goodness you are fine. We had a lot of rain and thunder. I saw in the WPIX web that 2 tornadoes were confirmed in Putnam County. It was a scary time. The rain today is moderate.
Marilyn
I’m not surprised about the two tornadoes. I think there was one in Saugerties in Ulster County as well. Thanks, Marilyn.
Was so worried about you last night, Claudia, as I was online looking at photos of the storms over NYC and it talked about how they were moving over the Hudson Valley. So glad you made it through it all with no damage. Tornado warnings are scary. Living in the midwest, I’m familiar, unfortunately. You’re told a funnel has been spotted nearby and then it’s just luck of the draw which way it decides to bounce. Glad you had friends (and Don via text) you could reach out and talk to.
Oh thank you so much for thinking of me, kay. Thankfully we are okay.
oh my gosh, that sounded so scary…I’m glad you (and the cottage) are okay!! Jen
Thank you so much, Jen.
Terrifying! I am glad you are safe now. x
Thank you, Christina!
Oh Claudia that is terrifying. I’m glad you could talk and text and track the storm. We had a similar experience about 3 years ago and we all still vividly remember the terror. I’m glad you’re ok. 😊
It is terrifying, isn’t it? Thank you, Heather.