When the sky turns red, do not go outside

For a while I lived in a really rural area. While driving through southern Illinois during a pretty bad storm, I noticed all of the cars on the highway pulling over and people running beneath a viaduct. Being the intelligent woman that I am, I pulled over and called my mom. Looking back, I wouldn’t have pulled over if I were able to see out of my window. I definitely would have kept going. “What does it mean when people go hide beneath a viaduct during a storm?” I asked my mom. I had her check the weather and learned that there were a number of tornadoes in the area. I was still about two hours from my house and decided that I’d be fine. I can race the tornado!!\
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I laughed as I drove past the people under the viaduct. “Ha ha suckers! I’m going home and I’m NOT wet!” About fifteen minutes into my drive, the winds picked up and the rain pelted my car. Once again I had to pull over because I couldn’t see. When I was able to I noticed the sky was black. I could feel the wind push my car and I was pretty sure I’d see a cow fly across the highway. Where’s Helen Hunt when you need her?\
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Long story short, I survived. I later found out I was a mere mile away from where the tornado hit. Awesome. I like to think that my survival tactics (aka stupidity) help out when tornadoes attack Chicago.\
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As soon as I got out of the shower last night our TV screen went black with a message from the national emergency broadcast folks. They warned us that a storm was quickly approaching the Chicago area and we should all take shelter in our basements. I tap into my survival skills and what do I do? I go outside! I walk down to my mom’s house to borrow some candles. The minute I say “Well, I should go before the lights go out.” Boom! Lights out. Awesome. As I walk home I watch the sky change from gray to red to black. Just as we sit down and start enjoying the candlelight my cell rings and my aunt tells me there is a tornado headed for Harwood Heights (a little town about 5 minutes away). We hear the sirens and head for the basement.\
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Thinking that it’s totally possible for the roof to blow off, I go upstairs, yank my cats out from under my bed and hide them in the basement bathroom. Seven thought it would be fun to stab me with her claws before setting her down. Jerk. She managed to get me right where a doctor would draw blood.\
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The thunder was right above us for a little while. The windows shook from the wind. Where was I? Standing by the back door which is made entirely of glass. I wanted to take the lanterns off of the table before they blew off and broke. I’m glad I had my priorities in order. So being the genius I am, I go back outside! Nevermind the 60mph winds, black sky, the 15 lightning strikes a second or the thunder that shook the ground. Thankfully I didn’t blow away and the lanterns are safe.\
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After the storm calmed down we went back upstairs to find pieces of tree all over the place. I read a book out loud and burnt myself with candle wax. I fell asleep while watching High School Musical on my laptop (don’t judge me, I was traumatized) It was an awesome night.\
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It was even better to wake up and find out our power hadn’t been restored yet. Please imagine the levels of humidity in a closed up house. Needless to say I am NOT a happy camper today. I’m thinking about staying at work later than I need to just so I can have lights, AC and the internet. If anyone with AC wants a roommate, I’m very clean and quiet.\
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I recommend checking out Pete’s pictures of the storm, as well as Kayleigh’s experience with the storm.\
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Pictures courtesy of the Chicago Tribune.

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