Iowa Tornado

Thank God no one was seriously injured during this tornado that ripped through my sister's town, Mapleton, Iowa, around 7:00 p.m. Saturday, April 9, 2011.

 

 

(Pictures Source:  Des Moines Register)

Yesterday (April 9th) was my mother's birthday.  It will be a birthday none of us will ever forget.  My sister, Cindy, who lives in the tornado tattered town was not home when it struck.  She was with my parents in Omaha, Nebraska, visiting my other sister, Rhonda, who is in the hospital and will be having surgery tomorrow to try to fix her broken heart.  (Prayers appreciated).    Fortunately, Cindy's house escaped damage, but there are trees laying in her yard that used to be standing in her neighbors' yards.  Had she been home, she said, she probably wouldn't have a car as one of the huge trees landed right where she parks her car.

The storm that passed through Mapleton continued northeasterly spawning tornado after tornado.  The small town of Early, Iowa, also suffered major damage.

 

This photo was reportedly taken during the storm and has probably been

text messaged to every cell phone in the State of Iowa by now.

I also found a site showing amazing pictures of the storm as it approached Mapleton:

http://jenniferbrindleyphotography.com/blog/tornado-photos-mapleton-ia-chase-492011

It is most definitely worth the click to see the magnificent scenes captured

If you wish to read a detailed account of the storm:

http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2011/04/09/tornado-batters-mapleton-as-much-as-60-percent-of-town-damaged-or-destroyed/

This storm definitely hit too close to home for me.   Mapleton is about 40 miles from my house, not that far for a twister to twist.  I am just glad no one was seriously injured.  You may remember the horrible tornado that killed 4 Boy Scouts in Little Sioux, Iowa, a couple of years ago.  Little Sioux is about 50 miles from my house.  God willing, we have seen our share of tornadoes in Iowa, but I will definitely be keeping an eye on the sky.