Norman was hit by a tornado on Friday the 13th of April. We - like most Oklahomans - do not own a storm shelter. Why it is not simply part of the building code to put a shelter in for each house, or one per 3 houses or something - I will never know. Before we lived in this house, we never worried about it because we lived a 30 second drive from the OU stadium and we just jumped in the car and drove in underneath the stadium, which must be one of the most solid structures ever built. We then either sat in the car or took refuge in the bathrooms (which are located all the way underneath the lowest part of the stairs/risers) depending on the level of threat.
This time we took shelter at home in the downstairs bathroom right after school, with bike helmets blankets and pillows etc - most Oklahomans have done this at some point or another. Elina was scared and cried. "If we die, we'll all be together, right?" "That's right," I reassued her. I do not have a picture of us all decked out in our helmets.
But here are a few of when we took shelter later that evening when we were under warning again and had 25 minutes to hide.
We had the car packed with 6 gallons of water, and a 72 hour emergency kit for each of the kids (in their backpacks). I even packed their shoes in advance, so when the weather report said, at 11:15pm, that Norman would be hit by a circulating storm by 11:39pm, we tore the kids out of bed and headed to the stadium.
Here they are in the men's room.
Their 72 hour kits containing snacks, change of clothes, hygiene products (toothbrush/paste, hairbrush, towel, soap, shampoo/conditioner, wipes, hand sanitizer, etc), a flashlight, meds and other items that would make life bearable should our house be struck or we would not be able to return home for a few days. Mark carries the bulk of the food in his larger pack.
Anja checking out her snack options.
We brought the dog, but left the guinea pigs...
No need to bring water or a bowl for the dog... (!)
