...and thankfully, back in one piece!
Thursday night I was working at one of my organization's events in Staten Island. From my seat at the registration table I could see the street and a view of everyone entering. It was just about 5:15 when I saw that it was raining and it was "coming down in sheets." Then I noticed about two feet of water rushing down the street, as one of my colleagues described it, "like a river." In the next minute I saw a ferocious wind and thought, "It looks like we're in 'Wizard of Oz'." I never really thought we were in "Wizard of Oz," or even could be anywhere close to a tornado in Staten Island. Fifteen minutes later someone came in and said that there had been a tornado in the Tottenville section of Staten Island. I didn't have any fear because I didn't believe that there could be a tornado anywhere in New York City. Perhaps naive, but exactly how I felt.
It turns out that there were two tornadoes, the one I saw in Staten Island and another one in Brooklyn and Queens and there was lots of damage. Trees came down and homes and businesses were damaged, too. The sign post at the Little League field, where my colleague is very active, was bent in half. My neighborhood and the neighborhoods near the Staten Island Ferry -- both in Manhattan and Staten Island -- were blessedly unscathed.
Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) ended last night. It is a holiday that begins at sundown and goes an hour past sundown the next day. It is a fast day, with lots of time for prayer and reflection. I had my prayer list with me and those who had asked for specific prayers were well remembered, as well as all of my blog friends and families collectively.
I hope to do a lot of blog visiting this evening and catch up and say hello. Wishes to all for a great week!
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10 comments
Welcome back!
We had tornadoes in Ohio this week too. South of where I live but there was lots of damage done. They are such scary things. Glad you were ok where you live. Hope your week is a wonderful one too. I always pray for my blog friends on Sundays and as need arises in between times too. Praying friends are the best!
So glad to hear you're OK! Having lived in West Texas, I still grow weak-knee'd at the idea.
Thanks for your comment on arise 2 write. It always brightens my day when you stop by...there is something about being able to visualize the real life smile at the other end of the comment. Thanks for the prayers. It has been crazy here! So many people struggling. I joining you in prayer for your colleague!
Hugs,
andrea
One just doesn't think about tornadoes in your area Buttercup! I feel that each and every one of us should have a prayer list to refer to.
I am very scared of bad weather. I am so glad you were not hurt in that tornado. Someone from our area was killed when a tree fell on her car there in NYC.
It was so nice to see your comments. Thanks for your prayers on the various needs around here.
Becky K.
What a shocker for you to see the evidence of the tornadoes and I am glad you are back from Oz, safe and sound.
I saw some footage on the news of the tornados in the NYC area. Thought of you and a couple of other blog friends I have there. Glad you weren't personally affected - well, I guess in some ways you were. Weather is scary stuff, I think. Makes us realize how "small" and helpless we really are. Hope you have a good week!
I heard about the unusual tornadoes up there. Hope everyone is safe. Welcome to my world, the Ponderosa sits smack in the middle of what is called 'tornado ally' 'round these parts.
Stay safe and have a blessed day!!! ;O)
I was just like you, I never thought there would be in tornado in NYC, either! I'm so glad you weren't hurt!
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