Yesterday Afternoon

 

Here is one of the clearest pictures, so far, of the tornado that went through Parkersburg.

One reason there weren't many good photos is because this particular system was rain-wrapped much of the time. Even when I looked over towards Parkersburg from our property, all I saw were light gray rain clouds...though the damage had probably been done by the time I was out horizon-gazing.

Security is still tight in the town of Parkersburg. All residents were required to leave last night, due to no electricity and the danger of downed power lines.

People who live there were allowed back in today to search for things, but will have to leave town again at 8:00pm.

Sightseers and gawkers are prohibited from passing through town. I wouldn't want anyone coming down the road to stare at us if our house were leveled, no matter what their sympathetic intentions.

Even volunteers are not being encouraged, though eventually they will be needed.

The death toll was downgraded from 7 to 6, which includes 4 from Parkersburg and 2 from New Hartford. (New Hartford is Senator Chuck Grassley's hometown)

Here is a seven picture slide show of damage...

The Des Moines Register has this updated article with more information.

The National Weather Service has representatives scouring the line of the tornadoes to assess damage and calculate wind speed, etc., after which they will be able to issue the Enhanced Fujita category of the storm.

Thank you for your prayers for all of the affected areas in Iowa.
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In other news, Sharon and Stacey left just before noon, taking Jason along to drop him off at Ardith's when they pass through Cedar Rapids.

We are taking it easy this Memorial Day, since we had our cookout on Saturday. But Ethan and I plan to mow part of the lawn as it insists on growing with the enormous amounts of rain we have had.

Loren is plumb tuckered out since he opted to work on computers, nonstop over the weekend, instead of taking his usual rests during the day.

Basically though, we are doing fine...except, for those of us who are old enough to appreciate the situation, or remember a devastating tornado from our childhood...there is the eerie feeling that we escaped something quite horrific by a matter of 15 minutes.
 

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