Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 1:32 pm Post subject: Tornado in Cullman

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Today as I was sitting in band class, a girl from the school newspaper (for which I work) called me up saying that Mrs. Calahan (The Boss) needed me. Now I had been getting behind in that class; I had three articles due that Monday and neither were finished. So I finished my soccer article and then was sent to get a quote for my Science Olympiad article. On the way back to the Hilight(newspaper) room, I look off to the west to see a solid wall of black. I thought to myself "Man, we're about to get it, and HARD." Finally I get to the class room and ask to be dismissed back to band. Just then, It started to pour down rain. Just before I exited the building the power went off. I thought at first, "I don't think were allowed to run on campus", then Teachers started shouting, "Get to a classroom!" So I broke into a dead sprint( I'm not that athleticly inclined) Finally I jumped into "J" building, having to force the door open. I holed up in a freshmen History class for the time being, later I headed back to band, who were still rehearsing (they don't stop for anything). After rehearsal, the teacher made sit in the hall, which would have provioded little shelter anyway. Finally we were given the all clear signal, of course the power was still out. After getting turned away from lunch, school was let out at a little after twelve. Apparently while I was running between buildings, a tornado plowed through any area a little under a mile fron the school, without any warning, off course since there was no electricity to power the sirens. THe nearby shopping center was hardest hit, with windows being blown out of builds and the roof being ripped off of Foodworld.
Also, a gas truck over turned in front of the local Dairy Queen causing that area to be evacuated, again this was little over a mile from the school. Many tree were uprooted. Also, several wrecks were caused by the lack of traffick lights.

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Clear skies Maksutov.

What... no pictures?

What kind of journalist are you?

But more importantly, we're glad that you're alright.

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Yeah. What he said. mewantpictures!

Glad you are here to tell us about it.

Good to hear you made it though OK, Gemini. Hope there are no injuries. That was some storm system. Just clearing out (finally) here in NW MS.

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Ahh, I was that close... Drove through that stuff on the way to give a Galaxy Zoo talk in French Camp yesterday afternoon (where they were dedicating a newly reworked 25" telescope of the Las Cumbres Observatory network - come to think iof it, that must be what attracted the heavy weather) . It takes pretty hard wind and rain to get the truckers to slow down on Highway 82. and, Gemini, in AL we all still remember Enterprise when someone mentions "tornado" and "high school" together. So it's very reasssuring to know that it missed y'all even if only by that much.

Where's Cullman?

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There is a theory which states that if ever anybody discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another theory which states that this has already happened.
-Douglas Adams
Aim high (but don't blow yourself up)!- Homer Hickam

In Soviet Russia, UFO report you!- Phil Plait

Clear skies Maksutov.

Alabama!

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wow that is pretty scary I always think of that scene from twister where the cow keeps flying past them

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Hi, Glad you made it!
I should think that a simple battery bank to power the sirens would be especially prudent engineering, and trip the alarm by radio or hard wire or
cellphone. There are ways. No warning is a VERY BAD recipie for disaster.
Speak up. The life you save may be your own.
Best regards, Dan