November Tornado Claims Our House

[revrew]

It's been a while since I've been on the board, largely because my hometown of Stratford has been cleaning up from a freak November tornado (F3). My wife, 10 kids, and I were about 5 miles south of town when it hit, watching it tear through our town, but we--thankfully--were not home at the time.

Our house, however, was not so lucky, as it was destroyed. 15-25 houses in this little town of 800 were also destroyed, and a neighbor with whom we share a back yard was killed in her basement.

Many of our belongings and keepsakes we were able to retrieve, as they were sheltered in an older, sturdier part of the home. Our garage (including my tools :( ) was blown to bits, but children and most of our prized possessions were unharmed.

Just wanted to update y'all, incase you heard news of it.

We're all OK and in a rental house now. We are planning to rebuild.

[Anthony]

It's been a while since I've been on the board, largely because my hometown of Stratford has been cleaning up from a freak November tornado (F3). My wife, 10 kids, and I were about 5 miles south of town when it hit, watching it tear through our town, but we--thankfully--were not home at the time.

Our house, however, was not so lucky, as it was destroyed. 15-25 houses in this little town of 800 were also destroyed, and a neighbor with whom we share a back yard was killed in her basement.

Many of our belongings and keepsakes we were able to retrieve, as they were sheltered in an older, sturdier part of the home. Our garage (including my tools :( ) was blown to bits, but children and most of our prized possessions were unharmed.

Just wanted to update y'all, incase you heard news of it.

We're all OK and in a rental house now. We are planning to rebuild.

best of luck to you and your family

[sachmo71]

rev,

Glad to hear the family is safe. We'll keep you in our thoughts, and let me know if you need anything.

[Glengoyne]

Rev,

You and your family will be in our prayers. Was a good piece of luck that you were all away from home at the same time.

God is good.

[Antmeister]

Best wishes for you and your family. Knowing that you neighbor was killed in the basement sent chills down my spine. I hope you guys get through this transition smoothly.

[Eaglesfan27]

Having recently been temporarily displaced by the forces of nature, my heart really goes out to you. I hope you and particularly your children are able to deal with this transition well. Good luck with the rebuilding process.

[Vince]

Good luck getting back on your feet! We'll be pulling for you.

[sterlingice]

Not sure what I could possibly say to someone who lost their home that would sound good. But really glad you weren't hurt and were away at the time.

SI

[wade moore]

Glad to hear your family is ok..

Good luck with the rebuild!


(PS - proof that this stuff will normally happen and we won't hear about it)...

[GrantDawg]

My prayers are with ya, Rev. Glad everyone is ok.

[Tekneek]

That's awful. I'm sorry this has happened to you and hope you are able to get back on your feet completely. Of course, the absolute best thing is that you are all still alive.

During all the post-Katrina nonsense, we were getting tornadoes in our area and one funnel cloud went almost directly over our house and touched down a couple of miles down the road. Lucky for us in the area, the destruction was almost entirely limited to the state park.

[FrogMan]

Not sure what I could possibly say to someone who lost their home that would sound good. But really glad you weren't hurt and were away at the time.

SI
Exactly the way I'm feeling... Best of luck with the rebuilding rev, you and yours will be in my thoughts.

FM

[flere-imsaho]

I'm glad you & your family are safe.

[Kodos]

I'm glad you and your family made it through safely, but that must be quite a blow losing your house. And I'm sorry to hear about your neighbor. Scary stuff. Two of my college friends live in Evansville, Indiana, which just got hit with a tornado. I haven't been in contact with either for years, but I hope they're okay.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Very happy to hear you and your family made it through safely. I am sorry to hear about your house, but that you can rebuild. Good luck and stay safe.

[vtbub]

Glad you are safe. Stuff can be replaced, you and your family cannot.

You must have plenty to be thankful for this thanksgiving.

[SFL Cat]

wow, rev. sorry to hear about your home, but at least everyone is okay, thank God -- and things can be replaced.

Been a freaky weather year...you hardly ever hear about tornadoes in November, and down here in S Florida we were keeping a close eye on TD Gamma since the storm originally was supposed to follow the path Wilma took. We're kind of "hurricaned out" down here in South Florida. :p

[Kevin]

It must be awful to lose a house that way. Your attitude shows you haven't lost your home, though. Best of luck on the rebuilding.

[digamma]

Best of luck getting everything back in order, rev. Also very happy you and the rest of the team are safe.

[revrew]

tx to all

[Craptacular]

Didn't see this the first time around ... glad to hear you guys are all OK.

[Cuckoo]

Yep, missed this as well. You and the family are in my prayers, rev.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Missed this the first time myself, but I'm glad to hear you & your family are okay.
Best of luck with the rebuild.

[Karlifornia]

Good luck to you and your family. Did I read 10 kids correctly? That's a baseball team, complete with a manager!

[INDalltheway]

Wow... I didn't see this the first time through either. Hope everything is getting back to normal! I know there were a few tornados in Indiana a day or two before the ones in Iowa. Scary stuff, especially when it is happening this time of year.