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	Name:	DirtDiva -
	Subject:	I was in
	Date:	4/19/2011 10:36:06 AM

one of the biggest tornados ever recorded. Spring 1979 Wichita Falls Texas. 1 to 1 1/2 miles wide. Killed 40 people in WF alone. Demolished at least 10% of town. Sheppard Air Force Base was badly damaged.

I was in the mall - Sikes Center working at a Walgreens restaurant (remember when they had restaurants?). Someone came running down the mall yelling the tornado was coming. (all sirens were destroyed so none sounded). I had customers - one in a wheel chair. I took him and my other customers and went into the ladies bathroom. I don't remember hearing the storm. I do remember feeling grit and particles hitting us through the vents. When we thought it was over, I peeked out the door. The entire restaurant was destroyed. Tables that were bolted to floor were torn up, all windows gone, all ceiling tiles, frame work etc. were demolished. When we went out the store, the end of the mall next to us was gone. Cars in the parking lot were tossed around like toys. There were some reports that 20 of the 40 people killed were in that parking lot. As luck would have it, my car (ford pinto with the blow up gas tank) was at the other end of mall. Only the side windows were broken about and the frame badly damaged. And better luck, I had filled gas tank that day.

The destruction was really like an atomic bomb being dropped. There were a many places where only the slab was seen - no debris.

Since then, I have had a very healthy fear and fascination about storms. Many times I will get out on our deck on top of the table to watch. If I feel the need, I go to the basement.

My place of hiding is below ground. Either a basement or storm cellar. If I'm in a storm without those, I go for an inside closet on the lowest floor and cover up with whatever I can find. Bathrooms are good, but pipes, ceramics, etc. make good missiles. The framing of the bathroom won't be any different or better than the closet.

I heard once on the news that a ditch is not a good idea - I don't remember why. Faced with a car or mobile home. I will pick a ditch anytime.