Moore, Oklahoma 2013

Ever since we told people we were moving to Oklahoma, everyone has always mentioned tornadoes.  When Sam and I decided to live in Moore we read all about the May 3rd tornado and never imagined anything like that happening again. We've had several storms in which there were tornado watches.  Last month I even took out a renter's insurance policy, you know in the rare chance there actually was a tornado and our stuff was destroyed.  I thought about tornadoes, but I never actually imagined one happening.  It still is so strange to me how suddenly this dangerous tornado happened.

The night before, Sam called me telling me we were on tornado watch, and I needed to pay attention to the news.  The storm was intense and I had the bathroom all prepped in case Brylee and I needed to wait it out in there.  A tornado hit in Shawnee, which made me realize how ill prepared I was for a tornado.  I decided that Sam and I should prepare a tornado to go kit the next day just in case.  It was a wonderful idea which didn't happen. Sam got home from work early in the morning.  When he woke up we decided to go grocery shopping (In hindsight this was a terrible plan. Don't go grocery shopping before a tornado hits because you might lose power and all your food will go bad).  After we left Walmart Sam asked what we wanted to do that day.  I told him another storm was coming so maybe we should just stay home.

The storm hit and we had lots of rain and hail.  Sam went outside and found a ping pong ball size piece of hail.  He tried to save it in our freezer, unfortunately we lost power and it melted. We were watching the news and when the tornado formed it seemed relatively small, then we lost power.  I frantically searched for the emergency radio my parents bought me one year, which I had never really cared about until I needed it.  I obviously thought I would never need it, because I still have no clue where it is. We went outside to look at the storm and we could see the tornado.  It wasn't your typical tornado, it just looked like a huge wall. I even had to ask someone, is that it?  At this point we decided it was time to go inside.

The sirens were going off along with and announcement  "CITIZENS OF MOORE, THERE IS A TORNADO WARNING, GO INSIDE." This was probably the most terrifying part for me. Brylee was ready for her nap so I swaddled her and she went right to sleep.  We got in the bathtub Sam held Brylee and we covered ourselves with couch cushions.  I've never heard anything like it. There was an intense humming sound.  We could here that it had hit. Sam and I both looked at each other, realizing this could be it.  We said I love you, and prayed. Then we heard a window shatter, and shortly after it seemed the storm had passed.  Sweet little Brylee slept through it all.

Sam got out to check if everything was okay.  I was not remotely prepared for what I saw.  I am still in awe of nature and how small and insignificant we are compared to her.  A tornado can happen so suddenly and be so destructive.

Our Complex after the storm.

We were so lucky. Our car was damaged and had a broken window. Our bedroom window also broke.  But it is absolutely nothing compared to what others are going through   Even in our own complex we have friends whose apartments are unlivable. They had water damage and their ceilings collapsed.

I thought the car was covered in leaves and dirt, but mainly it was covered in insulation.

There were many families in our ward whose lost everything.  Their strength amazes me.  Today we had sacrament meeting then spent the day cleaning up after the storm.  These families were there helping others even though their own homes were destroyed.  I'll admit that I saw our car, I was feeling bad for myself.  Then I walked down the street and realized I had nothing to complain about.  Hundreds of people lost everything.  We were very fortunate, I can't imagine what it would be like to come up after the storm and see your entire home destroyed, or to lose a loved one.  Through this experience I have gained a great love for Oklahoma. The people here are amazing, they have outstanding. faith. There are so many churches including mine who immediately got to work serving the community of Moore.

This mini mall is across the street from our complex.

At one point only people who lived in the neighborhoods were allowed to enter we had to show ID to a cop in order to get in our complex because of looters.  I kept  thinking why are people so horrible.  Families have been devastated by this storm, and they still want to steal from them.  It's easy to think about how awful this world is and how many terrible people there are.  But overall most people are good.  People from all over the country have come to Moore to help.  Our power and water were out for several days, and during that time there were several groups of people who offered us hot meals and water, and anything else we needed. So many people came willing to serve.  Everyday there are different groups of people cleaning up our apartment complex.

These pictures are from from the street we live on about a 1/4 mile north of us.

I've learned several lessons from this storm, most of them have to do with preparedness (and the fact that I was not remotely prepared). Most importantly, I have learned how good and kind people are.  I will never again watch a disaster happen and do nothing to help those affected, no matter how far away they live.  One night a non profit charity group brought us dinner.  Their name was One Spark.  They held the belief that they would do something kind for you, and you would pass it on.They set a great example, and I hope to live up to it.  I have been so amazed by the members of my ward and the people of Oklahoma. They are so willing to drop everything, and help those in need!