Growing up in southern Ohio I never had to worry about tornadoes. So, for me to now live in an area where tornadoes are common…makes me feel a little uneasy.
Wednesday, February 29th the first MAJOR storm of 2012 hit the Tri-State. Tornadoes ripped through Harrisburg, IL and a town I used to live in…Newburgh, IN. I had friends calling and emailing me pictures of their homes and belongings that had literally picked up and thrown around.
I couldn’t imagine having to go through that.
Then on Friday, March 2nd we got the news that the second MAJOR storm of 2012 would hit. I got to the station very early to make sure I was in the loop and had a timeline of how the day was going to play out. We were told that the tornado watch wouldn’t go in to effect until 3pm.
Well, mother nature had different plans.
It was 10:30am and the first tornado warning went in to effect. At that time the storm was about 20 minutes from the radio station. Within minutes several tornado warnings went in to full-effect.
I was sitting in the radio studio updating our social media sites to help spread the news and watching the local news to make sure I knew exactly what to help share.
At one point it was announced a tornado had touched down on Columbia Street which is right by the radio station where I work. I looked out the window to see this black cloud forming into what looked like a funnel cloud. I have never seen anything like it. Craziest thing I’ve ever seen.
All things considered, Evansville was extremely lucky that day. Henryville, IN and Marysville, IN were not so lucky. It breaks my heart to hear of the tragedy that took place in those 2 small towns. Lives were lost…homes were lost.
Since moving here in 2009, the #1 thing that makes me proud of living in the Tri-State is how we come together as a community and help out those in need. The Red Cross of Evansville has made it available for you to donate via cell phone.
To do so, Text the word REDCROSS to 90999 and $10 will go to those victims in need.
Always remember to have a plan and be prepared.
[image: Bradenton Herald]
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