We're Not in Sanford Anymore . . .

. . . That's the feeling I had when I looked at the tornado damage suffered by my town. Luckily, we (and our family) didn't have any damage, but several family friends have lost quite a bit.

My parents were at White Lake when the tornadoes were spawning in NC, and Brendon, Maggie, and I were visiting Brendon's parents. We were lucky that we weren't in Lee County when the tornado hit, but there was danger where we were, too . . . tornadoes were spotted in Scotland County, where we were, and Bladen County, where my parents were. There weren't many spots in central and eastern NC that didn't have a tornado yesterday! Although we didn't witness the Sanford tornado, the not-knowing was scary, too. Fortunately, we were able to contact family and neighbors, who assured us that are homes were safe. For that, and our own safety, we are blessed.

It's just unbelievable to look at the damage across Sanford. The three biggest retailers that were destroyed in Sanford were Lowes Home Improvement, Tractor Supply, and Big Lots. When I heard this, I immediately thought about the rainy Saturday a few weeks ago when Brendon, Maggie, and I were shopping in Lowes . . . just like those unsuspecting customers were yesterday. I was also reminded of the sunny spring day a week ago when Maggie and I shopped for Easter candy at Big Lots, then went next door to look at the chicks and rabbits at Tractor Supply (something I'd been meaning to post about!). I can't imagine being in those places and having to run for safety in a matter of minutes or less, especially if you had young children with you.

Much worse than the loss of these retailers is the damage to and loss of homes (and even a life) in Sanford. My heart breaks for the families who have lost so much, like dear family friends who lost their home in a fire a few years ago, only to have their new home damaged by the tornado yesterday. Also, one of my former co-workers sat huddled with her husband and daughter in their bathroom, the only room left standing in their home after the tornado passed.

As I was typing this post, I received several videos from a high school friend, whose daughter is friends with Maggie. While she was at a church function yesterday, her husband saw the tornado coming through their field. He and his two-year-old daughter fled to the hallway for safety. Luckily, their house was unharmed. Just down the road from her house, her videos show homes torn in half, empty foundations, twisted trees, and mangled power lines. I agree with her daughter, who said, "Thank you, Lord, for keeping me safe!"

Here are a few links that capture the magnitude of Sanford's "storm of the century":

Video of the approaching tornado

Slide Show (images taken by a "Sanford Herald" photographer)

Video of tornado damage (taken by a "Sanford Herald" staffer)

I've got a list of things I need to blog about: our trip to the zoo, Easter celebrations, Maggie's 25 month stats . . . but this tornado is what is on the hearts and minds of Sanfordians. It won't soon be forgotten.