Not OK Weather

If you don't live in a hole in the ground (after reading this you might think that is where we should live), you've probably seen coverage of a couple storms that have rumbled through the 'flatland' as a friend calls it. Well, we to date have been spared, but that is not the case for many in the state.

Two weeks ago on May 10th, a major tornado outbreak hit the state and what local meteorologists called the 2nd worst outbreak in state history, over 21 tornadoes wiped out countless homes, cars and other property and took the lives of at least 11. The 3rd tornado of the 21 actually briefly came through the west side of Yukon, but we were 4 miles east. Image 3 (which is on the left as well) in the link shows this storm, which was one of the smaller that day.

http://www.kfor.com/lifestyle/kfor-severe-weather-may-10-2010-photogallery,0,1828422.photogallery

3 days ago on Sunday, just after lunch, a major storm again moved through central OK. It started out with small tornadoes before coming into the city, but what followed was probably worse and more wide-spread than a small tornado.

http://www.weather.com/outlook/videos/insane-hail-storm-pummels-pool-17348#17348

Softball and in some cases volleyball size hail covered a stretch of Northwest OKC 3-6 miles wide and 15-20 miles long. Again, this was 5 miles north of us and we were spared. My brother and sister-in-law were eating at a restaurant and lost their windshield. we have friends whose entire shingles were beat off, and all the windows in houses were knocked out.

Tonight, another tornado outbreak just happened, but again, we are blessed. It didn't even rain in Yukon, but 20 miles south and 20 miles north at least 12 tornadoes have touched down. (at present time they have moved to the eastern part of the state and are still going strong).

All this to say, the power in a storm is amazing. I told Tara countless times I missed the storms of OK. Well I'm getting my fill. I don't like what they leave behind but there is nothing quite like seeing the awesome power of the weather in OK. It gives a new perspective to humans and our 'creations'. I always think about the wildlife (cattle/horses/deer,etc) when hail like that is falling.

If you've never experienced this please come visit for a week in May. This is a must because really there is something eerily peaceful before and after the storm. I've contemplated the premise much in my work with college students, and seeing 'storms' play out in real lives often mirrors what storms are like in real life. They come and go, often unpredicted, but the cleanup shows the good in humanity. Churches, communities, and local organizations always rally around those who've lost everything and the common good is refreshing. In a time when everyone seems to be mad at everyone, it takes storms to bring us together. Is this a good thing, I don't know. But like nature, it is a necessity.

We are blessed indeed to have a roof that protects us and and shelter from the storm.