Oklahoma, Texas, Tornado, 911
by Ann
Labor Day was visiting with my beloved Dad in Tulsa, Ok.
Then relaxing with a friend, munching salad and shrimp and sipping beer, at Southern Hills Country Club. A cozy, safe and wonderful world!
The next day, it was lunch at Diamond Jack's, for a drip beef sandwich. I crave these, at times, and have eaten there for decades.
That evening, it was the new Wolfgang Puck's Bistro on Peoria, for dessert and Mojitas.
The next day, after visiting with friends, and before my drive back to Texas even though, I knew that it would make my four hour drive back to Texas, start a bit late, I just had to go to Goldie's Patio Grill for one of the best burgers ever!
It was days and nights of visiting and eating. What could be better? Not much!
It was raining cats and dogs (as my mother used to say) as I headed out of Tulsa and back to Texas. I called my Dad to see if he had heard of any bad weather and he hadn't. He said just lots of rain and to be careful.
So, off I go. It rains and it rains harder. The rains stops. It rains again. I drive, rocking out to my Meatloaf CD, "Objects in the rear view mirror may appear closer than they are.", and making good time as I travel. I am so looking forward to getting home and out of this down pour. I really don't like driving in the rain, never did, and never will.
Outside Durant, Ok. traffic slowed to a crawl. It was raining so hard that I could barely see, even with the windshield wipers flying across the windshield, at rapid pace.
I am walled in by large trucks as we crawl along. Something is not right. Something is really off! Too slow and the back up looks like it goes on forever!
I lower my window to get the attention of a truck driver. "Hey, do you know what's going on?" His reply. "Power lines are down on 75." (I know, Amy. I should've asked, "Dude, can I snap your photo for my blog?" But, I didn't. My mind was elsewhere.)
We crawl along going next to nowhere. Police cars appear on the other side of the road. Up ahead, a policeman stands in the middle of the street. I ponder, 'Okay! What to do? What to do?' My mind flashes to that traffic jam in China that could last for months. Okay! Enough already! I'm getting out of this mess!
I dial 911 and tell them where I am and inquire as to what's going on. The operator informs. "A tornado hit on 75 just outside of Durant. It flipped over a semi-truck and power lines are down. It
could take up to 3 hours to get the road clear."
Me to 911: "Are there more tornadoes around??? I didn't even realize that there was a tornado watch."
911 Operator: "No, it swooped down, just in that spot, as far as we can tell, for now. Total surprise!"
Oh my gosh! A Tornado! Three hours!???!!!! Three hours sitting in my car on this highway in the rain!
We all just wait. It's so dreary! I feel dwarfed and alone in my Jaquar surrounded by trucks and the rain comes down harder! I am getting hungry. Sure, wish I had another burger from Goldies. I call 911 again. There must be a back way out or some way to get off this road and back on my way?!
Me to 911: "Ma'am I am trying to get to Plano. I am stuck on 75 just outside of Durant. Any idea about what I can or should do?"
911 Operator: "Get over to the access road and go down to the road named, Platter, then turn right and head West, then turn left and head towards Plano. It'd be better than just sitting there."
Me to 911: "That's for sure. Okay, I'll give it a try."
Anything (I think?) is better than just sitting and waiting in the pouring rain. I wave to get the attention of a truck driver. He let's me through and over to the access road. Truck drivers are usually nice people.
I head down the access road in the blinding rain. 'Umm, why hasn't anyone else thought to do this? Ummm... this is bizarre. Is this dangerous?! Was this wise?! Okay, God take care of me and guide me. This feels a bit freaky.'
Then up ahead, I see policemen. I stop and holler out the window as rain slams into my face. "I am trying to get to Plano!?"
He directs me to turn right then to head West on an empty backroad. I do and it RAINS HARDER!
There is one other car in front of me as I travel the desolate road and wonder, 'Where in the world am I going?'
I ponder...How fast can one go from indulgent eating in cozy environments with friends to alone driving in the pouring rain not knowing where you are. Cozy to survival can happen really fast! Okay God, please, guide and protect me.'
Then up ahead I see policemen, fire trucks and ambulances, at an intersection. I holler out my window. "I am trying to get to Pla
no!" He motions to turn left.
I do and it's onto an even more desolate road. Oh, my gosh! I am the only one driving on this road in this down pour!
My phone rings and it's a friend in Dallas. "Tornadoes are hitting down in Dallas and there's flooding in Arlington."
I tell her what I am dealing with and where I am.
"Ann, Be careful! The weather is crazy today! I will pray for you."
We stay on the phone talking (I know real stupid to drive and talk on the phone) until, I see more policemen and holler out my window again as the rain assaults my face. "I'm trying to get to Plano!"
He motions to turn left. "Just up ahead, you will connect to 75."
Hooray! Back on 75, there are few cars, the others must be back there still waiting. LUCKY ME! I was guided out and around. Whoo! HOO!
I am once again rocking out to rockn' roll as the rain clears and I am back on my path!
Like a bat out of hell!
Aint no doubt about it
We were doubly blessed
Cause we were barely seventeen
And we were barely dressed
Aint no doubt about it
Baby got to go and shout it
Aint no doubt about it
We were doubly blessed
Cause we were barely seventeen
And we were barely dressed
What an adventure! The road less traveled got me home faster. It was a bit scary, I was alone, but I took it anyway! Of course, I was never really alone, I had guidance from both above and below.
Once again, I am back in my cozy world! Thank you 911, Meatloaf (singing to his CD's), friends, Dad, truck drivers, policemen, and of course, God! I hope that everyone else in that adventure made it home safe and sound!
When I got home and settled, I indulged in one of my favorite treats!
Labor Day was visiting with my beloved Dad in Tulsa, Ok.
Then relaxing with a friend, munching salad and shrimp and sipping beer, at Southern Hills Country Club. A cozy, safe and wonderful world!The next day, it was lunch at Diamond Jack's, for a drip beef sandwich. I crave these, at times, and have eaten there for decades.
That evening, it was the new Wolfgang Puck's Bistro on Peoria, for dessert and Mojitas.
The next day, after visiting with friends, and before my drive back to Texas even though, I knew that it would make my four hour drive back to Texas, start a bit late, I just had to go to Goldie's Patio Grill for one of the best burgers ever! It was days and nights of visiting and eating. What could be better? Not much! It was raining cats and dogs (as my mother used to say) as I headed out of Tulsa and back to Texas. I called my Dad to see if he had heard of any bad weather and he hadn't. He said just lots of rain and to be careful.
So, off I go. It rains and it rains harder. The rains stops. It rains again. I drive, rocking out to my Meatloaf CD, "Objects in the rear view mirror may appear closer than they are.", and making good time as I travel. I am so looking forward to getting home and out of this down pour. I really don't like driving in the rain, never did, and never will.
Outside Durant, Ok. traffic slowed to a crawl. It was raining so hard that I could barely see, even with the windshield wipers flying across the windshield, at rapid pace.
I am walled in by large trucks as we crawl along. Something is not right. Something is really off! Too slow and the back up looks like it goes on forever! I lower my window to get the attention of a truck driver. "Hey, do you know what's going on?" His reply. "Power lines are down on 75." (I know, Amy. I should've asked, "Dude, can I snap your photo for my blog?" But, I didn't. My mind was elsewhere.)
We crawl along going next to nowhere. Police cars appear on the other side of the road. Up ahead, a policeman stands in the middle of the street. I ponder, 'Okay! What to do? What to do?' My mind flashes to that traffic jam in China that could last for months. Okay! Enough already! I'm getting out of this mess!
I dial 911 and tell them where I am and inquire as to what's going on. The operator informs. "A tornado hit on 75 just outside of Durant. It flipped over a semi-truck and power lines are down. It
could take up to 3 hours to get the road clear." Me to 911: "Are there more tornadoes around??? I didn't even realize that there was a tornado watch."
911 Operator: "No, it swooped down, just in that spot, as far as we can tell, for now. Total surprise!"
Oh my gosh! A Tornado! Three hours!???!!!! Three hours sitting in my car on this highway in the rain!
We all just wait. It's so dreary! I feel dwarfed and alone in my Jaquar surrounded by trucks and the rain comes down harder! I am getting hungry. Sure, wish I had another burger from Goldies. I call 911 again. There must be a back way out or some way to get off this road and back on my way?!
Me to 911: "Ma'am I am trying to get to Plano. I am stuck on 75 just outside of Durant. Any idea about what I can or should do?"
911 Operator: "Get over to the access road and go down to the road named, Platter, then turn right and head West, then turn left and head towards Plano. It'd be better than just sitting there."
Me to 911: "That's for sure. Okay, I'll give it a try."
Anything (I think?) is better than just sitting and waiting in the pouring rain. I wave to get the attention of a truck driver. He let's me through and over to the access road. Truck drivers are usually nice people.
I head down the access road in the blinding rain. 'Umm, why hasn't anyone else thought to do this? Ummm... this is bizarre. Is this dangerous?! Was this wise?! Okay, God take care of me and guide me. This feels a bit freaky.'
Then up ahead, I see policemen. I stop and holler out the window as rain slams into my face. "I am trying to get to Plano!?"
He directs me to turn right then to head West on an empty backroad. I do and it RAINS HARDER!
There is one other car in front of me as I travel the desolate road and wonder, 'Where in the world am I going?'
I ponder...How fast can one go from indulgent eating in cozy environments with friends to alone driving in the pouring rain not knowing where you are. Cozy to survival can happen really fast! Okay God, please, guide and protect me.'
Then up ahead I see policemen, fire trucks and ambulances, at an intersection. I holler out my window. "I am trying to get to Pla
no!" He motions to turn left. I do and it's onto an even more desolate road. Oh, my gosh! I am the only one driving on this road in this down pour!
My phone rings and it's a friend in Dallas. "Tornadoes are hitting down in Dallas and there's flooding in Arlington."
I tell her what I am dealing with and where I am.
"Ann, Be careful! The weather is crazy today! I will pray for you."
We stay on the phone talking (I know real stupid to drive and talk on the phone) until, I see more policemen and holler out my window again as the rain assaults my face. "I'm trying to get to Plano!"
He motions to turn left. "Just up ahead, you will connect to 75."
Hooray! Back on 75, there are few cars, the others must be back there still waiting. LUCKY ME! I was guided out and around. Whoo! HOO!
I am once again rocking out to rockn' roll as the rain clears and I am back on my path!
Like a bat out of hell!
Aint no doubt about itWe were doubly blessed
Cause we were barely seventeen
And we were barely dressed
Aint no doubt about it
Baby got to go and shout it
Aint no doubt about it
We were doubly blessed
Cause we were barely seventeen
And we were barely dressed
What an adventure! The road less traveled got me home faster. It was a bit scary, I was alone, but I took it anyway! Of course, I was never really alone, I had guidance from both above and below.
Once again, I am back in my cozy world! Thank you 911, Meatloaf (singing to his CD's), friends, Dad, truck drivers, policemen, and of course, God! I hope that everyone else in that adventure made it home safe and sound!
When I got home and settled, I indulged in one of my favorite treats!
Posted by Ann at 9/15/2010 8:00 AM 
Categories: Adventure
Tags: Wolf Gang Puck Goldies God 911 shrimp Southern Hills Meatloaf driving Texas beer Diamond Jack's Tornado
Categories: Adventure
Tags: Wolf Gang Puck Goldies God 911 shrimp Southern Hills Meatloaf driving Texas beer Diamond Jack's Tornado
Sounds scary. Glad that you got home safely and smart thinking to call 911 to find out what was really happening. I will remember that idea.
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I have been on the road in situations like this. Smart to call 911 and to get out of it.
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Weather changes happen fast in Texas.
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Sure do and you have to think fast and be prepared. It can get frightening quickly.
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That's why we keep the basic survival gear in our car at all times. And the most important bit of "gear" is your wits. Good for you for calling 911. I'm glad you made it safely through.
Jacqui C
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Good idea, Jacqui.. when that happened.. I was thinking exactly that.. how do I sit on the highway for three hours... I did have water and Diet. Dr. Pepper but...basic survival gear.. good idea at all times...
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Looks like you and your Dad are close.
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Yes, we are. And alot alike.
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Love Meatloaf! Great driving music!
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Love Meatloaf, too
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Jeez, Ann. Nightmare. Good thing you're a Tulsa girl and grew up in Tornado Alley, and know how to ditch a tornado. So glad to hear you were rocking out to Meatloaf!
And I'm starving right now and was salivating thinking about a burger and a trip to the pickle bar at Goldie's!
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Yes, I am used to Tornado warnings and storms, but don't like being that close to one. I mean, if I hadn't gotten a burger at Goldie's, I might've been where the tornado hit. Yeah.. I am craving a Goldie's right now. But, will go workout...
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Yeah, the infamous Goldie's pickle bar!
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yeah... pickles! I always get too many!
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Wow......after that weather eventful drive last week, it is great how your trip ended. I know you are driving back to Tulsa soon with possible showers still in the forecast. May you have a safe trip with no rain.
Our father should be touched that you are making the trip so soon to be at his 86th birthday party. I must admit, I would be flying instead. Your sis
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Hey...DD I wouldn't want to be in a plane during a tornado either...LOL!
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Ann I love OK & TX but those torndaoes are something else. VA/Dc/Md gets some bad weather & a occassional major thunderstrom.
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This was created from that hurricane in the Atlantic.. apparently with little warning tornadoes just swooped down with little or no warning.
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Whoa! Adventure is right! Glad you got home fast and safe.
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story well told...I was in that car with ya, girl!, it seemed while reading. I have been caught in a few of these storms...you told it very well! I loved how it all started out, the easiness, and pleasure and the SUDDENLY...very well told indeed.
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Thanks Lilli. That day was an analogy of life.. how things can be going along so great then wham! You are in a fight for survival. Of course, this was a light dose compared to what many others have dealt with.
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Good thinking to get out of that situation.
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Thanks Gerry, was glad to get home after all that!
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You should've stayed in Tulsa like I suggested.
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You may have been right for that trip and come home later. But I had an adventure.
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It only takes a few moments for our lives to change dramatically. I think it's important that we cherish every moment, and not put ourselves in harms way, whenever possible. For example, driving late at night on a major holiday!
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Agree!
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Great article and great writing I was right there with you. And yeah life can change in a blink..
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Hi Beautiful, I loved the story, I felt the frustration and tension of your journey,, it was as if I were there, feeling the same fear,,,, you are a brave Lady
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Great story and written well. I really like this site. It's a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon reading on here.
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Thank you Cinders..enjoy!
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All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.
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Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint on it you can
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