The Wizard of Oz- Aug 4, Part 2

At some point in time, we had crossed over from MI-94 Westbound to Indiana's 80 Westbound highway. Things were going pretty well at this point, I had refilled the tank back in MI for 3.89 which is a bargain compared to some of the prices I've come across. The sun was setting over the wide-open landscapes of the Dairy State as we crossed into Indiana with well under two hours to go. As we made our way down Indiana 80-W, a light drizzle had begun, nothing too serious but enough to slow me down from my current cruising speed to slightly under 70 which is the state speed limit--awesome. For a little change of pace and atmosphere I decided to put on the radio and see what this area thinks good radio is.

So... you know how sometimes when you're listening to the radio or watching television the station suddenly goes silent or the picutre goes blue, if you're watching television, then an annoying chirp comes over the speakers? And immediately you know it's for the emergency broadcast system "it's a test... only a test" and you pay no attention because you've heard this all before. Well, I turn on the radio to this same annoying chirp and think nothing of it until someone actually begins speaking on the other end:

"....TORNADO WARNING NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTHERN INDIANA 8:30 PM EDT MON AUG 4 2008

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NORTHERN INDIANA HAS ISSUED A

TORNADO WARNING FOR... EASTERN FULTON COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL INDIANA

THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION!!!

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DESTRUCTIVE WINDS IN EXCESS OF 80 MPH..

IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES... EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A STURDY SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE... LIE FLAT IN THE NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES... EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS."

As soon as the warning went through its first cycle... an immense bolt of lightning followed by the most horrendous clap of thunder I have ever bore witness to jolted us both...it was as if hell had manifested itself into wind, water and electricity. Instantly the rains picked up and the wind began blowing so strongly that the car was being forcibly pushed into the other lane. We were corralled in by the consturction barriers on both sides of the highway and I could barely make out an overpass off in the distance. I drove underneath to find a couple other cars seeking refuge as well. You couldn't make out anything in front of you concerning the shape of a funnel cloud or actual tornado... all I knew is what was ahead of us looked a hell of a lot worse than what was behind us, so I didn't want to drive into God-knows-what only to be hurled several thousand feet in the opposite direction.

I took the GPS we bought and called up the emergency locater screen then proceeded to dial 911 on the cell phone. I spoke with the operator and gave him my position making sure to say that I was from Massachusetts and never experienced anything like this before. After finding my position he said that at that point, the best thing to do was stay under the underpass and look for signs of imminent danger (like a car flying by is what I presumed he meant). After getting off the phone with him I rolled down the window and was greeted by the sound of air-raid sirens off in the distance. So I did the only thing I could do... took out our camera and made a video of our 'erm... little situation for posterity.

After 15 to 20 minutes what we came to think of as the tornado passed by a couple miles ahead of us and weather conditions returned to your average rainstorm with flashes of lightning. Most of the highways we traveled on from that point forward were completely dark due to the electrical storm shorting out the overhead road lamps. We crossed into Illinois shortly thereafter and made it to the motel without any further incident.

Here ends the first installment of the Chronicles of Mike.

written by  prettyblueroses on August 4, 2008 from Lyons, United States
from the travel blog: Mike & Heather's Cross-Country Adventure
tagged Driving and Tornado
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