2016 Tornado in SW Cape! Wow! my dear readers….how ironic that we move to Florida from Tornado Alley and lo and behold…our little city has an EF2 tornado!
AND the tornado was just blocks away from our home…about 6 blocks North and encompassing about about 2-3 miles and I am adding (after further inspection) that the tornado included more area to the west of my little red message. The tornado came inland west of Beach Pkwy and damaged homes and palm trees all along it’s path for about 3 miles before dissipating into the skies.
Let me tell you that so far there have been no reported injuries or deaths…which is the most important thing. Properties can be replaced….human lives can’t.
The last tornado was about 12 years ago in this area and was associated with a hurricane. This is kind of a first for Cape Coral.
I am showing a few of the pictures of the damage and I believe most of the homes in this area still are without power.
I was born in the Midwest where tornadoes are very common, and I have been in and near many of these storms. However, last night…I was almost oblivious to the danger as we were watching the Kansas City Chiefs football game…it is the play-offs you see….and until the power went off, I was only aware of rain and a bit of wind that was blowing the curtains on our lanai. We had been in the pool earlier and other than the lightening, which demands that one be indoors….nothing seemed amiss. The Captain and I were excited to have two sports games to watch, Saturday….the Kansas City Chiefs and The Kansas Jayhawks who both came away victorious…but all that seems irrelevant now.
During our power outage, my grand daughter was keeping me informed (texting)…. of the status of the football game until the power was restored. Later, the Captain and I went to our local ice cream shop to celebrate the win before the start of the next game…. and it was then, that we were aware of the storms’ path and fury. We checked our home and the only “damage” we noticed was our Jayhawk garden flag had blown off the frame and was up by our door and a very large pot had blown over in the Secret Garden. We were very fortunate indeed.
Driving home from church this morning, we were able to see much of the damage that happened just a few blocks from our home and our heart goes out to these families. The rebuilding process can be difficult and full of unexpected expenses. Our thoughts and prayers are with them all.
Glad you now have a “designated” safe room.. Hopefully you would have time to grab a duvet and a tub of cookies before you have to use it.
Mnnnn could see a new project for the Captain.. turning the shelving into emergency bunk beds… hehe….
hugs xx
ps post me the uprooted Bismarks…
Hey…cookies are my best friend in stressful times….never leave home without them, I say. haha. I will work on the Bismark photos for you. Hugs xxx
Thanks Ross…The Captain said that the best place to be in a tornado would most likely be my dish pantry….one would think with all the dishes this would not be a good idea but he said that room is what is called a panic room and the most secured because it was built specifically for protection from hurricanes. ??? thanks for your concern and many of those bismarks that you loved also have some damage and also some uprooted. Yes, the people are already starting to repair but there is a lot of work to do. Again, so glad there were no deaths.
Hugs xxx
oh dear Kari, what a shame for all those families. Amazing how it was so close to where you are, but passed you by causing such localized damage.
Hopefully it is a one off and the families affected have some insurance coverage. I guess you’ll be sticking a sign on your laundry room as a “designated safe room” or you’ll have your Captain digging a cellar!
Such a shame for the palms too.
Hugs and keep safe xx
Glad that you both are ok Mom. At least you both knew what to do. What every typical Kansas couple does. The woman does the smart thing and goes to shelter. The man… outside looking at the clouds. Love you Mom.
You know me so well…thanks for stopping by…luv ya!
So glad you’re safe, Kari. Wow! Florida has been getting some tornadoes in recent years. The earth is shifting. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Kansas under water again some day. I won’t see it. I hope!
Sandy, The Captain and I went out again to survey a little further west and oh my goodness….so many royal palms and beautiful houses in shambles with no electricity. I have added a few more pics to my post.