https://youtu.be/c7r7Ot0rZWQ?is=6JVm5dtpYLnzOzI6 14 years ago today. The attached link is a half hour long segment and published four years ago by the local TV station in my hometown about this devastating weather event. The volunteer firefighter (full time Physical Therapist) that was mentioned, was killed when a tree fell on him while helping people stranded on Route 220 in Roanoke/Boones Mill area. He was the husband of our girl scout leader in my daughter's troop. Anyone that lived within the parameters of this event remember exactly what they were doing that day. I was without power for six days while my family left for Avon the next day. I begged them to go ahead. I couldn't get away from the office, so I stayed behind.
@BentMtn we were in OCMD 12-13th floor penthouse condo. The entry door was rattling and I thought someone was outside. When I opened the door, it almost slammed me in the face. Fortunately I was prepared for a confrontation so I already had a good grip on it. The wind came roaring in but I put my shoulder into the door managed to get it closed again. I saw the awful, black clouds over the back bay and knew we were in for a doozy of a storm. Some of the pool deck furniture from the condos was lifted over the railings and landed on the dunes and beach. Wildest storm ever!
@BentMtn Well remember that. I put it right there with flood of 85 and personally that affected me and husband and our furry babies more. We lived at the time on high ground-problem was 7 ways in and out filling up fast and had to pack and hike point a to b to catch rides 5 stops to go to inlaws for a wk and then only one way in and out for wks. During derecho we had learned much better to prepare during emergency situations one being we moved and lived out on cement plant rd for over 16 yrs. I know where you live you do the same
We were doing work in VA beach at the Ruth Christ Steak house and remember the winds rocking the concrete building. We finished up, fueled up and drove back to central VA and we were on 64/ 95 the whole way and never noticed the power was out EVERYWHERE. I got off at Falmouth and 95 ( rt 17 exit) and there was no power for anything for 45 miles.
It was crazy! I was working for the railroad and they never close, of course. I was training some new A/R hires that week and half didn't show up. But, we had air conditioning. Living on the farm then and had a well; so no water. Showered each morning that week at the office locker room at 5 am. The showers were packed. 104 degrees and not a skiff of wind. I slept on the screened in porch hoping for air with Bella snuggled up next to me. She would not leave my side. Oh Lord, talk about hot. I scared the heck out of her a couple of nights walking around with a miner's light on my head. Hair standing up on her back! My future son in law was with the group in Avon that week and he called me daily to check in. Mr. Protector. All of the convenience stores were out of ice. Stood in line that week at Home Depot to buy a generator; not that I knew how to use it... Tons of trees down on the farm.