A Storm Passing Through

Usually when I talk about storms on my blog I am talking about "life storms" haha the rocky and shaky and destructive way life can be for us, the hard times, the painful times. But today I am actually going to talk about a real storm. A storm that didn't wipe out our town, but that devastated our town, that destroyed tree upon tree and roof upon roof, and cars, and parts of homes. It is a storm that was 85 mph straight line winds. It was a storm that brought a community together to help clean up. Neighbors helping neighbors, strangers helping strangers and families helping families. (It was frustrating for me because I could not help physically. I really wanted to be out there helping.)


I can not tell you how many trees like this were uprooted. They say it was because of the 85 mph straight line winds, and because the soil was wet and soft from the rains the night before.



I'm sure the owner of these cars is sort of glad the tree didn't land on his collector car.


News channels, helicopters and electric companies from out of state came to our town.



When a tree is devastated, I am devastated.



I had never seen anything like this, ever! I could not believe my eyes.



This is what our neighborhoods looked like, block after block after block.


It is starting to pile up into nice logs.

 HKJFVN8PT9KZ

Lots of these tree trimmers around town.



Stumps like the one above are left laying everywhere.





It was a storm that left us without power for almost three days. We lost 75% of our refrigerator and freezer.



It was a storm that kept us all safe, our whole town, no one hurt. It was a storm that spared our home and our trees (this time anyway-- we lost a tree last year, my beloved birch). It was a storm that was just passing through, but left great devastation to a small town. A storm we can all move on from eventually. Because in the end, there is still so much to be thankful for, and my heart is full and the sun is shining.



Comments

I am so glad no one was hurt. Storms like that are scary!
Mary said…
what a blessing that no one was hurt.
we have lived through two tornadoes, and God spared our home and lives, too. :)
He is always in control.
what a comfort.
xoxo
Elisha said…
I love that last picture. beeeeeutiful. :)

x.
Elisha said…
I love that last picture. beeeeeutiful. :)

x.
Jean said…
i am glad to hear everyone is ok. looking at these makes me sad for the trees and homes and property.
hennymats said…
oh my! we've had a bad storm a few years ago but we don't usually get anything like it. How amazing that nobody got hurt. Sounds like lots of new trees will be planted...
erika said…
So sad, but happy that you and your family are safe!
Marli said…
Whoa. That is scary. So glad everyone is safe! It reminded me of the tornados that came through Alabama last April...:/

xo
purposelyathome.blogspot.com
engineer's wife said…
I can not even imagine such a scare and devastation. Your pictures are wonderful and scarey all tied together. I am thankful that you and your family are safe.

Love you
Michelle said…
Oh Gina! First of all, I am SO thankful you are safe! I heard there were going to be storms in your area and I was hoping you would be safe.

Second, that devastation is so sad! Seeing gorgeous mature trees ripped from the ground is heartbreaking. It's crazy to see how much a storm can destroy, yet to see God have his hand over the people.
Sarah said…
That's so sad your community had to endure that, but at the same time so heart warming to hear how everyone pulled together to fix things. Those pictures with the grass pulled up are trippy.

I responded to your sweet comments on my blog. One of these days I'll figure out the email comment notification thing. Still having issues with that lol

- Sarah
agirlintransit.blogspot.com
Anonymous said…
that's quite the damage. happens here sometimes too. make sure to check out my $50 gift card giveaway :)
SymbioticLife said…
How devastating! This is truly terrible but I'm glad and thankful no one was hurt. I completely empathize with you and everyone in your town. I've been through a few hurricanes and gone weeks without power in the Florida heat. We had to eat military food rations out of field packets for ages. It's truly wonderful the community is pulling together during this time of clean up. Best wishes to everyone!
omg? how did i miss these pics on insstagram? it's a miracle no one was hurt with so many trees uprooted like that?!!
Aya Smith said…
Since being a mother, storms scare me more than ever!!! I'm so glad no one was hurt!

Aya ♥ Strawberry Koi
oh no friend! I live in the mid-west ( hello tornados) so I am sooo familiar with this! It is never fun losing trees!!

Glad everyone was safe! praying!
jennifer blair said…
Whoa. That is crazy! Those trees!!! I'm so glad you're safe and sound!
Melanie said…
You always have such a lovely outlook on life.

These photos look much like the ones taken in my friend's home town of Goderich, Ontario after they were hit by a tornado that ripped apart their town too.

It's amazing the feeling of community that comes after something like this. It show's how resilient we can be. <3
Unknown said…
Wow by the grace of God everyone is ok. That is some storm. Those pictures are unbelievable.
Jean said…
i didn't hear about hastings. i've been so bad about watching n/or reading the news. and i used to subscribe to time & all that stuff.

I haven't been to Bryant Lake Bowl. So, we have a balance right there ;)

It was a dragon fly on the rock. I thought its wings were broken, it's just the colors.
Nicole said…
Wow.. those poor tree's. But your outlook is great and I'm glad everyone is doing fine.
Unknown said…
oh, no... i've never seen photos like this from someone i know. good to know that no one is hurt, however... these pics are really scary! hugs to you, gina....
Liza said…
All of your pictures are devastatingly beautiful. If that makes sense.

The one of the uprooted tree with all the grass surrounding it uprooted along with it made my jaw drop. I too have never seen such a thing.

PTL you're safe and no one was hurt!
lindsay said…
those pictures are absolutely outrageous, sending prayers.

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