Last Friday night I turned on The Weather Channel to check the radar for the local area. To my shock, I watched as Dr. Greg Forbes and Jim Cantore were analyzing a supercell thunderstorm heading from New Melle, MO into the northwestern suburbs of St. Louis. As I stood in shock, my thoughts immediately turned to my mother. The trajectory of the storm had it moving to within 3 miles of my mother's home. I ran to the phone and dialed her number. I told her to please take shelter from this because it was going to be very close. She assured me she would and I told her I would call her later. My brain understands that my mother is very capable at taking care of herself, however my mom has limitations due to being confined to a wheelchair due to having her legs amputated in 1996-1997 due to complications from diabetes.
As radar continued to update this monster storm, the hook echo became more pronounced as the storm moved into northern St. Louis County. As the return updated again, a purple debris ball right in the center of the hook echo on radar. My heart sank. Panic is beginning to set in. I knew there was a large, violent tornado on the ground and it was doing damage to homes and businesses. My other half pulled me in close and supported me; telling me it was all going to be alright. We both stood glued to the TV as the storm continued to chew up areas that are very familiar to me. I thought in my head, "This thing is going to chew up Lambert." Time was standing still.
The storm began a more due eastwardly movement. My thoughts then turned to my aunt and uncle. I dialed and the phone rang once. Her tone was different. There were no pleasantries exchanged. I told her to please take shelter now and if she was okay following the storm to please call my mom to make sure she was okay in case I could not get through to her. She agreed and we quickly hung up to head to the basement.
I went back to watching the TV. I've done everything I could do to help. I've called and given them warnings. There I was helpless, pacing, praying that my family would be alright. As the storm continued to track it became clear that my mom was okay. As the storm crossed the river it entered Granite City, IL. I knew it would be close to my aunt. I prayed for her safety.
Once the storm had passed, I called my mom. I was relieved that she was okay. There was no damage. She said the sirens went off and she took cover in the bathroom (a central room) when she heard them. I was proud of her. After talking to my mom I tried to call my aunt. The phone just rang and rang. Nerves set in. I knew she'd taken cover but now power was out. I didn't get much sleep that night.
The next morning I called my aunt. To my great relief she answered and told me she was okay. The tornado damage path was one block from her home. The neighborhood on the next block received EF2 damage from that storm. I asked her how much time there was between she and I hanging up the phone and the time the tornado hit. She said, "4 minutes." That was very close!
What a relief!
Updated: Pics of track and damage.
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