Rather than post the "One Year Ago" daily segment from sbd's world of what he said one year ago, I decided to go way ot and post this, which happened
not one year ago but exactly 10 years ago in Springfield and also the western Mass area where I reside.
It was a powerful tornado which devastated the area.
Yes I know that for some of you folks who reside in states such as Florida, Georgia, Alabama, tornadoes are pretty common.
However the one which touched down in Springfield on that day was something very special in a bad way, not just because they are uncommon,
but because of the magnitude and massive destruction it wreaked on the area which was estimated to be in the 140 million dollar area.
Surprisingly only three people died and several hundred were injured.
Om a personal note, I was sitting in a doctor's office on Main St in Springfield in the waiting room shortly before the tornado and they had the news on.
The weatherman stated that a tornado warning had been issued.
I took that with a grain of salt because over the years I had heard the same thing about POSSIBLE small tornado warnings, and virtually none of them had come
true.
To cut to the chase, I got through with my appointment shortly after 4 PM and headed out to the parking lot.
Before I got into my car I noticed that the sky was incredibly dark and ominous looking, and as I looked down to the other area of Main St, where the tornado
ultimately struck, which was a mile and change from where I was, I saw a indescribable and hideous looking tunnel/cloud formation the
likes of which which I had never seen before.
The curiosity side of me wanted to drive down there to get a better look at me, but the rational side of me told me to get the fuck in my car
and drive home as fast as I could, which was about 9 or some miles away.
Well lets just say that I chose the latter, and got home in time to see live the wrath of destruction unleashed in downtown Springfield, as well
as other places in its path.
Fortunately for me other than some pretty heavy rain and wind (nowhere near tornado strength), my area was spared the fury of the twister.
Yes a few trees and branches were knocked down as well as lots of leaves on the ground, but that was it for and a very small price to pay.
For those of you who have never seen or experienced what a tornado is like, I strongly suggest that you watch the incredibly well
done video by WWLP, one of the local tv stations in the area.
Springfield: 10 years since a deadly EF-3 tornado tore through East Forest Park | WWLP
ps The usual "One Year Ago" segment will follow later.