I'm at a hotel right now.

We had a BIG STORM around 5pm (CST) tonight, and my neighborhood is totally out of power.

My wonderful, beautiful ash tree that we'd been babying for the past 6 years is gone.

I dont know if we have a lot of damage to our house yet, cant exactly get up to the roof to look.

I decided to take my mom to a hotel with me. No A/C at home, and I am NOT staying in an un-airconditioned house. My mom doesnt react to stress well, so I decided to bite the bullet and share a room with her. (I really hope I dont regret that decision! we dont always get along)

All the powerlines in the neighborhood next to mine are above ground. Our powerlines in my neighborhood are buried, but when the powerlines in the next neighborhood over went down, so did our power...and internet...and tv...and phones.

So, I might not be online for awhile. It could be a bit of time before we get things put back together.

It might also have not been a tornado. I know that just before the storm, they said there were 90mph+ winds coming towards us. What I saw, was NOT 90mph+ winds. It was probably 120mph+! I do think it was a tornado. I saw the trees behind my house spinning around, and just the way some of my neighbors trees look, I think there was definite rotation in the storm.

I got pictures, lots of cussing and swearing on them from my mom tho...so not sure if I'll post the videos...I might post some still shots later.

I'm going to go chug a bunch of lemonade now. I'm thirsty, hot and tired...and I'm really ****** off about my tree getting murdered by the storm. Why couldnt it have been the ugly tree in the backyard and not my wonderful ash tree. Dangit! We just got this tree grown up to the point where it was a great shade tree and we really liked it!

I'm going to go cry about my tree now. *sniff!*

Wow, glad you're ok! I hope they get the power restored soon so you can go back home! I'd be really upset if my red maple got hit!

I forgot to mention that I fell down in my basement (again) and hurt both knees and my left foot. So, I'm hobbling around, but other than a few bruises I'm ok. I tripped over a chair that was too close to another chair (carpet cleaners earlier this week and shoved them too close together)

I'll be sore in the morning...but, oh well.

I'm just mad about my tree. We always sit out in the front yard, and this year was probably the first year we could call that tree an actual shade tree. Now it'll probably be firewood.

I wish I could stay in the hotel until things get all straightened out. I dont know if I can deal with 90deg temps next week.

I just have to say that I have not been that scared by a storm since 1975.

Oh, I forgot to mention, that my cousin and her husband who live southwest of where I live, lost the roof to their house...and my cousin is having her baby in 2weeks. Yikes! What a mess!

I caught some of it on the weather channel this morning, they're "investigating" the possibility of a touchdown. Glad you're all okay, Erin and I hope your power is restored when you get home.

Glad you are safe. The rest is just stuff.

We had a tornado touch town in New Hampshire last week! New Hampshire! what is that all about?

Stay safe and tucked into your room. Stay cool and dont worry. We will all be here when you get back.

Glad your safe! I hope you don't have bad damage. Sorry about the tree.

My dad called and said our power was back on at about 9am. So, we're going to check out of the hotel in a few minutes.

My aunt lives right across the street and she doesnt have any power right now. Different grid.

I'm going to go pick up some lunch for my aunt and my dad before I go home.

I dont know if I have internet at home, so if you all dont hear from me for a bit, that would probably be why. I also think the electricity might be a bit spotty. You would not believe all the power lines that I saw down last night. All I can say about that is HOLY CARP!!! I've never seen damage like last night, except maybe from a tornado. I've never seen straight line winds do some of the stuff that happened last night!

Gotta go gawk at storm damage on the way home! My mom is a bit of a ghoul.

Glad to hear you all came out of it safely!

( be nice to Mom! )

Straight line winds or tornado, doesn't much matter what they call it the damage is the same. I'm so glad you're OK, and sad about the ash tree..Hopefully it won't be too long or to difficult to get everything else back in order. Take care of yourself!!

Glad you are ok too Erin - take care!