In the past, any time I thought of Oklahoma, I’d think of tornados. I wondered how people could live in the state when, according to the news, it seemed like tornados popped up out of the blue and from every direction. I never dreamed one day we’d be living here.
Since mid-March, we’ve only been in the closet once. Hubby had to rouse me awake because I didn’t hear the alarm warning go off at 2:30 a.m. Once in the closet (for only seconds) I realized we didn’t have any of the supplies we need in there: pillows, flashlights, a weather radio,snacks. Snacks? I’m still not sure what one takes to a closet to wait out a tornado.
We’ve had several tornado threats since we’ve been here. On April 14, 2012, an EF-3 tornado struck Woodward, Oklahoma causing 6 deaths. Approximately 150 miles away from us. We watched it in action thanks to the local news and storm chasers. I say we watched it in action but not really. We knew it was going to happen because storm teams gave us up to date, minute by minute plays. It’s frightening to hear/watch them. It’s like witnessing something horrific happening but being totally helpless to do anything about it.
If I get on twitter during these tornado warnings, I see people tweeting: Take Cover Now. Tornado on the ground in Norman!” or “People in Enid, take cover-twister on the ground!” It’s enough to make me want to tear my hair and shriek, “Ruuunnnnnnnn!”
In 1947, Woodward was hit hard by a tornado with devastating results. Read about it HERE.
But citizens of that small town dealt with more than the devastation of a tornado. Watch this video to see the mystery that evolved. The case of JoanGay Croft aired on May 22, 1993. She was never found.