Glad everything's OK there Saz, I missed all the drama while at work by the looks of it. Tornado's are pretty much an American phenom, but other areas get some similar freak storms. The place I live in is nicknamed Tornado Alley within the local district, but only because we have had 3 mini versions in 12 or 13 years (ie very rare, and we are considered the trouble location).

I nearly got caught out on the golf course in the last one (about 1995) - the sky was looking none too good, so rather than wait behind the guys I was following I played backwards down another hole towards the green keepers' shed. When I got to my ball the hail started, and I ran for cover. 400 meters back, where I had been standing, the trees became matchsticks, and it tore apart 5 houses. 400 meters on the other side I was worried about the hail on my new car - needn't have worried, there was not a drop of rain or hail over there.

That one had me worried, and it's a baby compared to what you guys get thrown at you. I better consider carefully if they offer me a secondment to the Pt Comfort plant in Texas http://www.tgeweb.com/cgi-bin/ubb/no...es/biggrin.gif. lad to hear you're OK mate - talk to you on the weekend hopefully.



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Get this-- I live in Central Florida, it's called "The Lightning Capitol of the World" AAAAAAACK! I remember leaving Target with Donna one day, and I Ducked she did too, then a lightning bolt hit a mile or so east.. I FELT the air sizzle.. totally heart stopping.. http://www.tgeweb.com/cgi-bin/ubb/no...s/rolleyes.gif




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Ziroc
Ironworks Webmaster
www.tgeweb.com/ironworks

In Tucson AZ, storms have a way of getting caught in the surrounding mountains and bouncing from one side of the valley to the other until they are all rained out. Sometimes there are more than one.

Standing out in my driveway watching an awesome downpour soak the downtown area one late afternoon, a flash behind me that shook the ground caught me by complete suprise. All the hair on my whole body felt like it was standing on end. I turned around and my neighbors (small) mullberry tree...not even twenty feet away from where I was standing was split, blackened, and smoking. From then on, my storm watching emcompassed the whole valley, no matter where the heaviest rains were!

Moni

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Do we get tornadoes in Europe?
YES!
Certainly in the south of England, but they mostly happen out to sea. The coastal areas sometimes get hit. A seaside resort, Selsey Bill, was wrecked by a tornado a few years ago - a swathe through part of the town was absolutely flattened. Also in other coastal areas there has been tornado damage from time to time.

But further inland, as mentioned earlier, was the hurricane we had in 87. People still talk about that (heck, weather is the main topic of casual conversation in England). I remember it well, the devastation where I lived was frightening. I woke up in the middle of the night to a huge noise, like an explosion, as a tree outside my window blew apart. Roofs were blown off houses, sheds and cars were whisked off the ground - it went on for several hours. Houses in England don't usually have basements, so we huddled in the kitchen. People died that night. My friend down the road had no power for 3 weeks afterwards. 2 days off school/work while everyone who had a tractor or jeep went to help tow massive trees off the roads. I was in one of the worst hit areas.

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Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.

Epona of The Laughing Hyenas