Wichita and Tornado

Most people in Kansas are used to violent weather. But on the night of April 14th, 2012, an EF3 struck south central Kansas. People in Wichita later said that they now had a taste of the pain and fear that other tornado victims had gone through, such as in Joplin and Greensburg, along with other towns.
The tornado that had hit Wichita, was just one of about 90 tornadoes that had hit Kansas. The storm started out in Oklahoma, moving to the NE. It was close to sunset, but a powerful and warm jet stream was helping to fuel this storm.
This storm had the history of creating a tornado sucking it back in, and dropping another about 5 minutes later. These tornadoes were all pretty significant. The minute the storm crossed the Oklahoma/Kansas border, Kansasans became concerned.
That day, I had had a track meet that lasted until about noon for me. It had already rained once that day. Now, like it had been since that early morning, it was cloudy,chilly, and windy.
All afternoon, it got windier. Storms were popping up from Oklahoma and moving NE. After dinner, our family kept a close eye on the weather. The first significant tornado of the evening ended in Saline County. Afterwards, tornadoes started popping up everywhere.
At about 8:30 p.m. , my sisters and me went to bed. I couldn't sleep.Using a simple traveling map of Kansas, I tracked the storm based on where the stormchasers were were on KFTI (101.3 FM). After about fifteen minutes, I estimated the storms arrival tme to be in about 30 minutes.
The tornado that started it all touched down in Harper County. It headed for Anthony and Bluff City. It was a large wedge - shaped tornado. I continued to track the tornado, and gave Dad an update. Conway Springs was next in line.
Mom and Dad had a bit of an arguement. "We can leave now. What about your parents house?" she asked. Dad shook his head. " That is how people get killed in a tornado," I shot back. " But the tornado is between Conway Springs and Clearwater, Dad. We know where it is!"
The second that the storm crossed the county line into Sedgewick County, all sirens blared. The tornado was still on the ground, and going strong. Everyone was out in the living room, watching KWCH 12. When the tornado got close to Derby, it lifted.
If you paid attention to the history of this storm in the 3rd paragraph, then you should know that we weren't out of the firing line just yet. Everyone was ready. Each one of us had pants, a jacket, and a pillow. Our shoes were already in the basement.
We went into the basement. Who knows where that tornado would touch down next. I put on my sisters shoes. Dad gave us some jelly beans, but most of us didn't feel like eating anything at that moment. It touched down again in Derby at the area of the Kohl's and Lowe's. It was a wedge, and moving NE. It was moving away from us. After a few more minutes, a report came in that the tornado had damaged Spirit Aerosystems.
Mom had a frightened look on her face. It was heading for Dad's parents house! And if we had evacuated, we would have been toast! I wanted to scream, and stop that tornado! But I couldn't. No one could. It was all in God's hands now. We had to pray. Mom was already on that, but I was so frightened, that I couldn't keep everything straight. The words of the prayed that I tried to say was mixed up with another pray. Obviously, I was frightened.McConnel was next in the line for the tornado. And my grandparents were after that. When the tornado got to Bultler, we went upstairs. Dad immediately called my grandparents. I was almost to tears. "Are you guys alright?" asked Dad. I looked up. Dad nodded. "Good. Do you need me to get you guys out?" He mouthed to us. "They're alright!"
Never had I felt more grateful. We next found out that the tornado had gone through Oakland. I was then worried for two other friends. Justin and Michelle. Justin didn't live in Oakland, but he was really close. Michelle lived in Oakland. After looking on Facebook, we came to the conclusion that she was fine, and spending the night at a shelter. Mom would let me try and call Justin in the morning.
After Mass, I found out what I needed to know. He was alright. There was no need to call him. His power had gone out, but there was no other damage. Disasters like this, bring families and friends closer together. When we feel like we don't have enough, a tornado, or other disaster comes through.Then, we realize the things that are important in life, and what isn't. Maybe it is God's way of teaching us a lesson or two.