Have You Ever Seen or Been in a Tornado?

[PITTSTON2SARASOTA]

Originally Posted by lilred0005

Have you ever been in a tornado? Where were you when the tornado struck? What state were you living in? What was the experience like?

I have seen many waterspouts here in Sarasota, Florida.....most of them in the early nineties. Very impressive, but not as strong as a regular tornado and they quickly disap pated.....but a sight I will never forget. It really looked like the tornado in the Wizard of Oz...but no dirt/sand to give the dark color....these are basically a cloud like color, off white and bluish.

[mkfarnam]

F-5 tornado


YouTube - 2007 Elie, Manitoba F5 Tornado

[odessa3]

I experienced one while at home in the Scranton, PA area in June 1996. I live across from the Lackawanna River, and across from that, there are mountains. I was outside doing yard work when the sky turned an awful green and the lightning bolts were the most amazing and scariest I had ever seen. They were so close I could hear them "pop". Then I saw the tornado come over the mountain. I was frantic because I was by myself, and I quickly ran in the house and straight down the basement, not knowing what to expect. I crouched in a corner as the whole house shuddered and shook. When it finally stopped I was almost afraid to come out wondering what I would (or wouldn't!) find. We had no damage except for debris all over the yard, but the tornado had veered 1-2 blocks over and there were a lot of trees down and roofs damaged. Our house was plastered with tiny pieces of leaves that got shredded as the tornado came over the river. It was a confirmed F-0 with 90mph wind. It may not sound like much to some, but it was plenty for me, and now I fear any storm winds.

[Summering]

I saw a waterspout on a clear, blue sky day in Delray Beach, Florida......
I was one street over from a tornado up in the Poconos. The trees were twisted like a pretzel.