So I almost died this morning…..

[Gary Stevens]

…who knew that toy hunting could be life threatening?

Sunday morning, so I decide to go on a Wal-Mart run.
Humm… I haven’t been up to Macon for a while & they have 3 fairly good stores up there. It’s only 30 minutes north of me and I do this all the time.
(If you’ve watched the Weather Chanel today you know where I’m going with this)

So about 5 AM I’m leaving the 3rd store. I turn off of I-16 to go south on I-75 when I hear the warning Sirens.
Then BAM!!! I’m in the middle of the worst storm I have ever seen. I mean I can’t even see the front of the damn car. So I pull over as far as I possible can on the left and have to stop. By this time I am completely freaked out. You can’t STOP on the FREEWAY!!!
So I try to creep forward watching the barrier wall to my left. I make it under an over pass and try to stop again.
BAD IDEA!!
The overpass is swaying back and forth and the car is literally moving up and down. So I suck it up and drive back out into the storm. It might have been 5 minutes of 15, I have no idea. But eventually it lets up enough for me to realize that there or 3 or 4 other cars around me. It’s still raining really hard, but with flashers on we make a convoy.
Tree limbs, leaves all sorts of crap on the road. And then…. A HUGE pine tree across all three lanes. We had go all the way to the left by the barrier where there was just barely enough room to squeeze past.
Eventually I make it to an exit and find a store to buy some cigarettes…. Total Shock. Headache, dry mouth, shaking hands… whole 9 yards.

I’ve been watching the local news all day.
They have decided that it was an F2 Tornado that ripen thu Macon this morning.
AND I WAS DRIVING RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF IT.

[rxdude94]

did you get any toys??? ;)

just kidding...im glad you are ok....ive driven through some pretty nasty weather, but nothing like that im sure....

[Gary Stevens]

did you get any toys??? ;)

just kidding...im glad you are ok....ive driven through some pretty nasty weather, but nothing like that im sure....

Oh Yeah….
Blue Iron Monger & War Machine Exclusive.
All in all….
Not worth it. :rolleyes: :p

[Fishy Pete]

Tornadoes scare the crap out of me. I think it was childhood trauma, when Iived in Kentucky we used to get them all the time almost every time there was a storm.

[Parler]

Today was really bad weather as well. It was raining and thundering, tons of wind too. Later on they started sounding the warning siren (for tornadoes) throughout my entire town and it scared the crap outta me. Went on for about an hour, but nothing ever happened. It's Summer, it should be sunny and hot!! :(

[Figure_Maniac]

Damn thats a crazy story!!! Glad u are ok.

[shoggoth666]

Good for you bud, cheated death one more day!:cool:

[Figure_Maniac]

Today was really bad weather as well. It was raining and thundering, tons of wind too. Later on they started sounding the warning siren (for tornadoes) throughout my entire town and it scared the crap outta me. Went on for about an hour, but nothing ever happened. It's Summer, it should be sunny and hot!! :(

Its summer there already??? Damn spring hasn't even came here yet.:rolleyes:

[j97e]

pfew

[norlkrivc]

it seem like mother nature was land down a tornado to prevent you to buy toys!!
it good to know that you are ok, hopes everybody does.

[chaserfan]

I want to see a tornado sooo bad.....dont want to drive through it, but see it from a distant. congrats on your hunt

[Parler]

Its summer there already??? Damn spring hasn't even came here yet.:rolleyes:

Silly boy! Each state has it's own Seasons, didn't you know that? :p

[D2eux]

damn! glad you got out okay

[GruntOfAction]

How ironic I too am 30 miles away from Macon..its west of us, not north though, and we got hit with that stuff too..I heard about Macon being hit, Apparently the Fox Local News station in macon went down because of the tornado hitting it..

We got alot of wind, lightning, and rain..That bad stuff went south of us luckily..And I got to be up at 5:30 AM instead of 7:00AM Like I planned..

[chaserfan]

you didnt get any pics? ;)

[Cardinal]

I was in a storm like that once, it was near new years eve and a friend of mine asked me to fill in for him for his work (his entire family was going on vacation so he was going with them). But because of his job, he was going to get fired if he didn't show up (he had to do a presentation) so he gave me all his info and all I had to do was present it for it. It didn't matter who showed up, as long as something presented and it's not like his boss would know. But anyway, I ended up driving an hour or two to some other city in the worse storm I'd ever seen. I couldn't see anything ahead of me because of the rain/fog(?) and on my way I even saw 2-3 fatalities/accidents. It was the worse storm I'd been in and for the most stupidest reason. It was pretty insane.

[Spliff]

Man I would've loved to be in that.

[Holeman]

Man I would've loved to be in that.

Actually, it kind of sucks.

A few years back, I was probably a block away from the tornado that ripped through the GM plant here. I honestly thought it was going to hit me and me and my friends had NOWHERE to go, we were on the highway. I'm not even going to say that I saw it until it passed, but all the comparisons to being under a freight train are inaccurate. Think being strapped under the space shuttle booster, it's that loud. I saw it as it passed GM and holy hell, it is really something.

Another time, I coming back up Douglas and I heard the sirens go off and I'm looking around and there's a friggin tornado RIGHT OVER MY CAR! It was at night, the tornado was completely white and holy **** that scared the crap out of me. That one never really touched down, it just ripped the top off of the south water tower on the base and sucked all the water out. That's why it was white.

Tornadoes suck. They really do.

[EDBSIP]

who knew searching for toys could be hazardous to your health

[deogg]

Man I would've loved to be in that.

No you wouldn't. One of my best friends died in a tornado. He died saving the lives of his two roommates. Now, I don't even wanna SEE a tornado, much less be in one.

EDIT: Spliff, all this time I had NO clue you were a fellow Ohioan!

[RipkenFan8]

Glad you're safe Gary :)

[Jin-Saotome]

Oh man, that is cool as hell! I use to live in Florida so I know -exactly- the kind of storms you're talking about! I think the freeway is relativly safe right? No signs, buildings to drop on you. Overpasses, well, that's a lotta steel and concrete. But they say in a tornado they will save your life if you get under one, there's even a video where a tornado passes over and overpass and people are huddling underneath one, the only way they survived.

The coolest storm I remember was over 15 years ago. I can remember standing out in my front yard getting hit by hail, then saw a giant donut rolling down the highway with panels shredding off of it everywhere. It was surreal, the sucker was blown down from the donut shop across the street. Also we found out the KFC bucket crushed some guy's car when it was blown down too.

Lesson learned? If the fast food doesn't kill you, their signs will try and finish the job.

[NY56]

did you get any toys??? ;)

just kidding...im glad you are ok....ive driven through some pretty nasty weather, but nothing like that im sure....

LMMFAO:D.....Priceless...Lol:o

[Spliff]

Actually, it kind of sucks.

A few years back, I was probably a block away from the tornado that ripped through the GM plant here. I honestly thought it was going to hit me and me and my friends had NOWHERE to go, we were on the highway. I'm not even going to say that I saw it until it passed, but all the comparisons to being under a freight train are inaccurate. Think being strapped under the space shuttle booster, it's that loud. I saw it as it passed GM and holy hell, it is really something.

Another time, I coming back up Douglas and I heard the sirens go off and I'm looking around and there's a friggin tornado RIGHT OVER MY CAR! It was at night, the nornado was completely white and holy **** that scared the crap out of me. That one never really touched down, it just ripped the top off of the south water tower on the base and sucked all the water out. That's why it was white.

Tornadoes suck. They really do.

No you wouldn't. One of my best friends died in a tornado. He died saving the lives of his two roommates. Now, I don't even wanna SEE a tornado, much less be in one.

EDIT: Spliff, all this time I had NO clue you were a fellow Ohioan!
I'm not saying I wouldn't be scared or anything, but I really do love that kinda weather.

And I wish I was in Ohio, those are just lyrics from one of my favorite songs. :o

[Mr. Wiggity Man]

I know what Spliff means cuz we have the crappiest most boring weather here. I love it when we have storms too so I'd kinda like to see something like that...from a distance of course.

[Disconnekted]

Glad you are alright,man.

[geminijoe28]

i live in a part where no tornadoes ever hit...but when it rains and rains hard it gets really bad..flooding, etc..

on halloween about 5 years ago i got in my first (and hopefully last) auto accident...it was due to very bad rain on the expressway...to this day i wont drive in the rain..i panic, get nervous, start shaking..etc...

[Masked Moron]

Oh Yeah….
Blue Iron Monger & War Machine Exclusive.
All in all….
Not worth it. :rolleyes: :p

I beg to differ.

You didn't get hurt, you got the figs, AND a free scare out of it. ;)

[KarenRoss]

OMG I was reading it and imagining it at the same time like watching a movie. It already sounds frightening reading it so happy to know you are safe, I would have died because of a heart attack if I was there O___O

I love storms because as somebody have said before they aren´t very often in my city but I wouldn´t like to be near a tornado, watching it on tv is one thing, but being near one? No thanks, I would panic.

[Holeman]

I know what Spliff means cuz we have the crappiest most boring weather here. I love it when we have storms too so I'd kinda like to see something like that...from a distance of course.

Oh yeah, everything is cool from a distance. Mushroom clouds are cool from a distance.

But, being in them sucks ass.

[Spliff]

Haha, well to be fair you'd only have a millisecond to realize you were in the mushroom cloud before it completely rocked off your face.

[Holeman]

Haha, well to be fair you'd only have a millisecond to realize you were in the mushroom cloud before it completely rocked off your face.

Actually, I don't think you'd even notice. If there ever is a nuclear war, I hope I'm literally right under one of the warheads.

I have no interest in fighting mutants over gasoline.

[brew]

Glad you're ok Gary!

[Coolest Board Name]

Actually, it kind of sucks.

... I'm not even going to say that I saw it until it passed, but all the comparisons to being under a freight train are inaccurate. Think being strapped under the space shuttle booster, it's that loud. I saw it as it passed GM and holy hell, it is really something.

...
Tornadoes suck. They really do.

wow, never witnessed such extreme weather although I have been in my fair share of storms, the kind when the wind is so strong you just can't stand on your legs anymore, but your experience and Gary's sounds quite scary !

[316what]

And I wish I was in Ohio, those are just lyrics from one of my favorite songs. :o

No you don't...Ohio sucks, lol.

[Tuky]

at least you got your figures I'm not sure if those were to die for

[GruntOfAction]

Oh man, that is cool as hell! I use to live in Florida so I know -exactly- the kind of storms you're talking about! I think the freeway is relativly safe right? No signs, buildings to drop on you. Overpasses, well, that's a lotta steel and concrete. But they say in a tornado they will save your life if you get under one, there's even a video where a tornado passes over and overpass and people are huddling underneath one, the only way they survived.


According to the weather channel under an Overpass is the WORST POSSIBLE place you can be in a tornado. The overpass creates a windtunnel and makes winds even stronger under it, which can suck you right out into the road and into the tornado, they say your safer in a ditch on the side of a road than under an overpass.

[Holeman]

According to the weather channel under an Overpass is the WORST POSSIBLE place you can be in a tornado. The overpass creates a windtunnel and makes winds even stronger under it, which can suck you right out into the road and into the tornado, they say your safer in a ditch on the side of a road than under an overpass.

That's true. Everyone here knows damn good and well not to get under an overpass. Unless it's underground, you're are not safe during a tornado.

I remember seeing this picture of a guy who tried to hide inside one of those drainage pipes that run under driveways? The tornado twisted him around until he burst apart and then it was still twisting what was left. So, yeah, you want to stay away from places like that and overpasses. You are safer in a low lying area, try to find a deep ditch, cover your head and start praying.

[stshammgod]

Wow, God was with you this morning. Holy smokes.

[Gary Stevens]

Thanks to everyone for the concern. :o
I’m still pretty shook up. :(
Even 24 hours later.

I found this on the local News website.
http://search.13wmaz.com/sp?p=/photogallery/index&sNum=65&photo=5&catId=1&locId=75&sort=&name=%22Macon%22&userId=&keywords=&skin=

This coulda been me….. http://search.13wmaz.com/files/extImages/200/1718858mothersdaystorm2008-f.png

The description says I-75 at US 80.
That would have been about where the huge pine tree was.
That car could have been stuck under that tree. And I didn’t even think to check for anybody.
I feel really weird about that. Conflicted, y’know?

How ironic I too am 30 miles away from Macon..its west of us, not north though, Cool! So that would be Dublin?
Y’all got hit pretty hard too from what I saw

Man I would've loved to be in that.I'm not saying I wouldn't be scared or anything, but I really do love that kinda weather.I use to. I mean I would go sit on the front steps to watch the lightning and listen to the thunder. The louder the better. I took my kids (when they were small) and now my grandkids with me. To teach them not to be scared.
Now… I don’t know. I’ll have to wait for the next big storm to see if I can handle it.

I know what Spliff means cuz we have the crappiest most boring weather here. I lived in central California for a buncha years. Something just didn’t feel right, something was missing. I didn’t realize what it was ‘till I went back home to Texas for vacation and got hit with a huge Thunderstorm. I was missing them.

According to the weather channel under an Overpass is the WORST POSSIBLE place you can be in a tornado. The overpass creates a windtunnel and makes winds even stronger under it, which can suck you right out into the road and into the tornado, they say your safer in a ditch on the side of a road than under an overpass.Yeah, I remembered that AFTER I saw the overpass start swaying.
But I really didn’t want to go back out in it.


A few years back, I was probably a block away from the tornado that ripped through the GM plant here. I honestly thought it was going to hit me and me and my friends had NOWHERE to go, we were on the highway.
That's exactly how it was. Can't stay here can't go foward.

Tornadoes suck. They really do.


'Nuff Said.

[GruntOfAction]

Thanks to everyone for the concern. :o
I’m still pretty shook up. :(
Even 24 hours later.

I found this on the local News website.
http://search.13wmaz.com/sp?p=/photogallery/index&sNum=65&photo=5&catId=1&locId=75&sort=&name=%22Macon%22&userId=&keywords=&skin=

This coulda been me….. http://search.13wmaz.com/files/extImages/200/1718858mothersdaystorm2008-f.png

The description says I-75 at US 80.
That would have been about where the huge pine tree was.
That car could have been stuck under that tree. And I didn’t even think to check for anybody.
I feel really weird about that. Conflicted, y’know?

Cool! So that would be Dublin?
Y’all got hit pretty hard too from what I saw

I use to. I mean I would go sit on the front steps to watch the lightning and listen to the thunder. The louder the better. I took my kids (when they were small) and now my grandkids with me. To teach them not to be scared.
Now… I don’t know. I’ll have to wait for the next big storm to see if I can handle it.

I lived in central California for a buncha years. Something just didn’t feel right, something was missing. I didn’t realize what it was ‘till I went back home to Texas for vacation and got hit with a huge Thunderstorm. I was missing them.

Yeah, I remembered that AFTER I saw the overpass start swaying.
But I really didn’t want to go back out in it.


That's exactly how it was. Can't stay here can't go foward.


'Nuff Said.
No, but heres a hint, our town was the captial of Georgia at one time in the past..even though we lost.