Friday, January 11, 2008

Vancouver Tornado skies. . . 1-10-08



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I woke up Thursday morning and soon, I saw the sunrise peeking out from these dark , ominous clouds.



4 hours later, a tornado hit the northern part of our city. We don't usually have any touch downs and not since 1972 when there were lives lost and a high school destroyed, among other things. If I had not been in the eastern part of the city today at Bible Study class, I might have gone shopping with some other residents of my apt. building and been right at the center of this tornado today. Scary thought! Far as I know, everyone that went is safe. The news is not reporting any deaths YET. Saw some friends tonight at BUNCO and they said they all got back to the apt. building just as the tornado hit where they had been shopping.



Ok this is a bad image from the TV but it shows the tornado; a young man captured this scene with his video camera.

35 comments:

imac said...

wow good sky watch pics even the tv capture.

SandyCarlson said...

Ominous is right, Paulie! What an experience. I would not have read trouble in the first sky, which shows you what I know. I like the TV image. Like the tree monster in the post below, it suggests something big and threatening. It's enough and more in a way!

I recall the tornado that came through Connecticut in 1989 or so. Everything turned green. I had the good fortune of being in a well-built burger joint that sold every kind of beer on tap. We survived with a song on our lips.

dot said...

Yes, love that tv picture! I didn't know ya'll had a tornado out there. Glad you are safe. I just heard our tornado watch has been canceled and we are getting some much needed rain.

Susan said...

I am so glad that you were in a safe area today. Your pictures were very beautiful! But all of your pictures are quite amazing! I hope ya'll have a safe night!

Sharon said...

My prayers are with you and your city! We've had tornados come through our little town 3 times and do lots of damage. Your pictures are great.

Lynette said...

Thanks for your good wishes and prayers for Mama. I'm so thankful for you and everyone in Vancouver, that so far as I know, no one was injured today. My younger son goes to Mt. Hood Community College where it hailed for over five minutes--no damage to the car, thank goodness.

RUTH said...

I do hope that there were no serious injuries. Great photos.

FO - 2 said...

That`s dramatic!
Wishing you a calm and quiet weekend. :)

mrsnesbitt said...

Amazing! So dramatic!

Kerri Farley said...

Love the top skywatch shot.....the tornado shot from the tV is SCARY!
(you took it really well though!)

I have never experienced a tornado...I'm sure I would have been terrified. If they don't happen too often where you are...then maybe you have your alotment for the next few years!

Stay safe!

gaz said...

excellent - from the thin band of orange to the tornado grab. beauty and the beast all in one post.

Marie said...

Very nice photos!

Willard said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog.

In reference to your comment there:

The point is one doesn't have to doctor their photographs in photoshop, and they don't have to not doctor them in photoshop. That is what creativity and freedom of choice is all about.

It doesn't matter if you do it in photoshop, or with a filter on your lens, or with no manipulation whatsoever. It can be challenging to see what one can do with a less than ideal picture or even an excellent one by tweaking this or that. The only exception would be shots of a legal nature or one where it was important to portray the exact reality.

This is a never ending argument. If I could paint a picture I would. As it is it felt good to manipulate that one in photoshop so I did and I'll do it again.

Rune Eide said...

Frightening! We have much bad weather round here, but not that kind.

Makes good Sky Watch Friday material though...

Tom said...

WOW what a good set of pictures this is, and a great story also...

Love Bears All Things said...

J came in late last night. It was after 9:00 when we got to bed and he turned on the TV. I saw the news of the tornado. I said,"thats where my online friend, Paulie lives". I'm so glad you weren't where you might have been. God is in control!
I'd like to here what you're studying on Thursdays.
Have a great day.
Mama Bear

DigitalShutterMania said...

Exquisite shot!! but the tornado scare me too.

Cheers,
DSM

Happyone said...

That is scary but really cool all at the same time.
I used to play BUNCO years ago!! It was lots of fun!!

Yolanda said...

I hope you are allright after the tornado. They are ominous things. I grew up and lived in MS for 41 years in the heart of Tornado alley where we get the big f4 and 5's . It was so weird for me to see one had hit here.

Andrea said...

TV picture is an awesome shot.

We were under a tornado watch for a little while last night but they canceled it. We did get some rain though.

Angie said...

Excellent shots.I'm very glad to hear that you were safe and no lives were lost during the tornado.It must be a really terrifying experience.

Misty DawnS said...

How scary! I'm glad everyone is OK!

bcmomtoo said...

I love that touch of pink on the clouds in the first picture.

Tornadoes really scare me. I'm glad you were safe!

Anonymous said...

Sounds scary.
Please do take care!
Nice photos by the way.

Alexander
Alex's World! - http://www.kakinan.com/alex

Kahshe Cottager said...

Hard to believe we would get tornadoes here in the winter! That sky sure looks ominous!

Love Bears All Things said...

Good luck with your weight program, too. I see your other blog on your profile. Sorry I didn't get to the post office today either.
Mama Bear

lissa said...

I like how the pinkish hue is just peeking out from the clouds. How fast that turn into a tornado.

Nessa said...

That tornado looks big.

GAWO said...

Your Tornado lokks frigthening and big. Glad we do`nt have that over here.

Texel in vogelvlucht. Gerard said...

I think, when you wake up, and see this sky, you better stay in bed for the whole day. Nice photo. Have a nice weekend.

Coy Hill said...

Although I like to photograph many different subjects I have no problem never having the oportunity to photograph a tornado!

Nice shots here and thanks for visiting Country Captures
Salty

NYCindividual said...

The pictures don't make it look too bad except for the one of the TV. I wouldn't know, though, because I've never experienced a tornado.

Paulie said...

Lissa . . . the pink sunset in clouds lining was after the tornado!

nycindividual . . . the one from the television is the only one of the tornado. The other two were late afternoon, just before sunset. The reason I didn't have a series was because I was south of the tornado by a couple miles. I took the two contrasting photos on my way home after the tornado happened and got the TV on the news.

Anonymous said...

My brother-in-law called me (in San Diego) from Vancouver as the tornado was touching down. Apparently Washington is 47th in the states for frequency of tornados. Climate change anyone?

Andree said...

I have never been in a tornado and I never want to be. I'm glad you and your friends are safe and hope nobody was hurt. Your photos are very very good. Also, I saw your snow photos and they are so excellent!

Mind is here.