Weather woes

Residents clean up after storms in South
February 18, 2008 12:09 EST

PRATTVILLE, Ala. (AP) -- Thousands of homes and businesses are without power and more than two dozen injured after storms and tornadoes in Georgia, Alabama and Florida.

Ten people are injured in Crawford County, Georgia, with two of them in critical condition. At least 14 homes have been destroyed in the area.

Meanwhile, rescue crews are going door-to-door in Prattville, Alabama, looking for people trapped in wreckage after a tornado blew through town. No fatalities have been reported but two people are critically injured. About 200 homes have been damaged or destroyed.

About 60 structures are damaged after a tornado blew through Escambia County in Florida. Residents are now working to clear debris, cover broken windows and spread tarps over roofs.

In the Midwest, freezing rain and snow forced schools, malls, libraries and churches to close.

-The Associated Press-





And thus I spent half an hour yesterday morning huddled in the "Bat Cave" (nickname for our laundry room/basement) of my dorm with about 20 other people when they sounded the tornado warning. An interesting experience it was. I almost wish the tornadoes had struck a little closer to Sewanee, though, just so that I could have actually seen them.

Stuff like these makes me glad I'm here. Malaysian weather is boring.

You know, it hit me suddenly that dying in a tornado wouldn't be bad way to die. Imagine standing in an open field with your arms raised, then being picked up by a tornado and thrown a hundred feet up. Imagine the sensations involved, surrendering yourself to the awesome might of nature. Imagine the thunder in your ears, the feel of the wind on your skin, the sensation of flying UPwards.

Hmm. If I ever contract a terminal disease, maybe that's what I'll do. Go out with a bang. Or in this case, a roar.

That's what I'd call a beautiful death.