ARTFULLY AVOIDING THE LANDFILL (& driving my husband crazy) ONE PIECE OF JUNK AT A TIME

4/10/11

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:


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.

10 comments:

  1. Coleen--
    thanks for the post, I was wondering about 'cha!

    Glad your family is all ok- and there is no damage from the storm-- God does work in mysterious ways, having your sister away from home like that; I believe is NO MERE COINCIDENCE.

    I will sure be praying for your sister Rhonda--for God's healing power to be at work in her heart.

    Blessings~
    Pat

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  2. Wow, Coleen...God really protected everyone and spared your sister...One of my sister's just had her pace maker defibrillator replaced, so we can swap prayers.

    Lezlee

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  3. http://www.spencer iowa.com4/11/11, 3:58 AM

    Disastrous ..God bless

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  4. Oh wow Coleen... that is so terrible... I feel so sad for those families.

    So happy your Mom had a birthday and got your sister out of dodge.

    Prays for your sister Rhonda today and pray she has a speedy recovery.

    Take care of yourself.

    Hugs, Deb

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  5. Oh my! Thankfully your sister wasn't home and her house was spared any damage! I hadn't seen any of the tornado pictures and will check out your links.
    Although they were forecasting severe weather, we didn't get any here...yesterday the winds were howling and blowing stuff about but we're used to that, living in the country and on top of a hill.
    Sending prayers for Rhonda as she has surgery and recovers :)

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  6. When I read about tornados in Iowa I immediately thought of you. So glad they didn't hit your area. It's a blessing that your sister wasn't home when the tornado went through her area. Tornados scare the bejeebies out of me.

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  7. That's aweful... look at that camper!! I do remember the boy scout incident... that was so sad!! I just checked out that photography site... WOW!! Beautiful pics but way to scary to be that close!! So glad it didn't come near your home!!

    xoxoxo
    Kendra

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  8. So glad your sister wasn't home...that one did some damage!

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  9. Coleen... horrible pictures. I'll be honest tornadoes scare me. I'm a run to the basement girl when that siren goes off. Not like the neighbors who run outside.
    I'm so glad your sister Cindy was not home and happy that no lives were lost in that terrible storm.
    Happy belated birthday to your momma and lots of prayers for your sister Rhonda as she undergoes her surgery and recovery.
    gail

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  10. Oh Coleen! I'm so glad to read your sister is OK. The pictures are so telling of all the damage the town suffered. My heart goes out to all the people who lost their homes, very devastating!
    Living in "tornado alley", this time of year is always a little scary. We've had a couple of close calls but luckily have always escaped major damage.
    Take care,
    Jane

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