Punta Gorda, Florida
July 15th
7:45pm-ish
I apparently work in a hurricane-resistant building. I discovered this today as a “supercell”
thunderstorm was moving thru our area. Our manager on duty was standing in front of the door…I suggested that maybe he (we) should move. He informed me that we had hurricane glass windows….and a mega-reinforced roof.
Yes, my store blew down in Hurricane Charley. Of course, this was before I worked there. I was a Depot-slave at the time. Anyway, when they rebuilt, I guess they wanted to make sure it wouldn’t happen again.
So, I was safe….but it sure was freaky! Nothing quite like a store full of people (customers and employees both) freaking out over a storm, listening to the National Weather Service tell you that a tornado is headed straight at you. And what a storm it was! I saw lightening strike in the parking lot, not 25 feet away….LOUD, and bright! Luckily, what I did not see was a tornado…but apparently they were indeed around, as briefly reported here.
If the picture doesn’t load at first (it didn’t for me), hit refresh.
Supercells, stay away!
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow… amazing footage. Be sure to stay safe – hurricane proof windows or not. I love photos of tornados and such but think they are super scarey when they hit home, as I’ve been thru a few. Hi, from Michele’s
That is one amazing photo…last tornado I was near I was stupid enough to be standing right next to a picture window, commenting about how oddly green the sky had turned. I’m pretty sure I was dropped on my head as a baby…
Got here via Michele’s tonight :)
Hello, Michelle sent me.
The storms sounds pretty frightening. I probably would have ignored the “hurrican proof” comment and bolted, speaking for myself.
Andy yes, the picture did load.
BTW: You have a very, very sophisticated and interesting blog. I’ll bookmark you and check back frequently!
Holy Batman! stay away from the windows anyway.
Oh, Tammy. Thats too close for comfort! We live in “Tornado Alley”, but I have been lucky enough to not have experience being in on, or near one. Stay safe! and away from windows:) Tornado have a power all their own and do some pretty freaky stuff!
Stay safe…scary picture. I would be freaking out also.
We have tornados here, had some yesterday in fact. Where we are they are not too big, they pretty much top out at F2’s. If you go 30 miles east of us, they start getting bigger. Anyway, funny because . . .last night husband and I were talking about tornados watches and warnings. One of the news channels was doing a special on “Colorado Weather”. We laughed at their perception of watches and warnings. I told husband for the kids and I, watches mean nothing. But the warnings? That’s when we head outside and start looking for funnel clouds.
Glad you are o.k. I see you are working on Stacy’s new blog? I wonder if you might be able to help me with a few bugs I need worked out?
Tell your manager that he needs to get a reality check. Hurricane proof only means that the window will stand up to a 75 mph wind distributed over its surface, nothing more. It has no real bearing on impact resistance, such as debris being hurled at 100+ mph (i.e. solids) transferring point impact energy far in excess of the yield point of the glass. Same for the roof – it has to be supported by something and I don’t know many buidlings that can withstand a small car being hurled through the wall/window. Tornadoes, while smaller, are far more energetic/dangerous in terms of wind damage than hurricanes are.
I’m on the other coast. I know who you feel.I have friends in your area and Punta Gorda is such a lovely town. As for hurricane proof? I agree with Clayton. And Michele sent me.
Whoa. I am so tornado phobic. I still would have run for cover! Awesome shot! Michele sent me.