by Jennifer aka Jenn B.
Member since:
March 16, 2008

GRAVITY WAVE 2009 Damage in North Alabama...Photo Essay

April 25, 2009 10:52 AM EDT
views: 109 | rating: 10/10 (16 votes) | comments: 32

I was without electricity from Easter till the following Thursday night at 10:30P.M.

My small lake front town had a tornado and also an unusual phenomenon called "Gravity Wave" the force of a hurricane  Easter...it toppled trees, downed power lines and shut off electricity over virtually the whole town and its surrounding.

On Thursday night I was reading by the light of 5 kerosene lamps ( I collect the antique ones..lol...for a reason)

Suddenly I heard BIG trucks... saw lights flashing everywhere and loudspeakers...

The electricity people had landed in my yard! My burglar alarm siren let everyone know I was back up and running.

                                     

A funeral home 'had' a row of decorative ornamental...they were cut off at the knees.

  The docks for the big yachts broke loose and floated to the cause way. I know a couple that were sleeping aboard that night. They are fine,but said they woke up with rocks on one side and trees on the other.  The docks had been up here with the boats docked in shot below....              

This home suddenly had a different view...they were lucky the docks didn't take out their boat house.

 
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Comments: 32

David W. Apr 25, 2009, 11:01am EDT
Ouch! Mother Nature wins again. I'm glad you were safe. Thank you for the pictures, there is something about first hand news that makes it all the more real.

Great photos as per usual.
Marianne R. Apr 25, 2009, 11:19am EDT
I've never heard of a gravity wave. Is that like wind sheer or downburst or some other silly term meteorologists use to describe wind? lol.

Damage looks nasty. I'd never be able to go that long w/o power. Even a full day is really too annoying for me.
Elizabeth B. Apr 25, 2009, 11:48am EDT
WOW! I have never heard of that~
those are great shots of the damage...
Nana to Seven Cutiepies Apr 25, 2009, 11:57am EDT
Oh my, what devastation. That's a long time to be without power. I'm glad you were safe.
Sherrie H. Apr 25, 2009, 11:57am EDT
Oh, my - it is so sad to see such destruction in your beautiful area. I'm glad you are safe and with electricity again!
Elaine D. Apr 25, 2009, 3:30pm EDT
So glad you and yours are safe. What is a gravity wave? Will look that up on the internet.
timi A. Apr 25, 2009, 4:34pm EDT
So devastating, thanks for sharing and i am glad you are okay.
Kevin E. Apr 25, 2009, 5:29pm EDT
Wow! I am glad you survived it. I forgot you lived in that part of Alabama or I would have worried!
Roy ☯ Hilbinger Apr 25, 2009, 7:27pm EDT
That must've been some wind! That's pretty much what Newport looked like when we got hit dead on by Hurricane Bob back in '91. Gald to hear you weathered the storm intact.
Kay M. Apr 25, 2009, 9:47pm EDT
Wow. Sad to see the destruction. I'm glad you weren't hurt.
Tina Coruth Apr 25, 2009, 10:16pm EDT
I"m glad you are okay. That must have been terrifying. Your photos are great, they sure do tell the story.
Janet "Jax" B. Apr 25, 2009, 10:38pm EDT
Glad you're safe....we lost power the other nght during the storms.
Jean, just the teensiest bit odd, F. Apr 26, 2009, 12:51am EDT
Whoa... Big time wind... Glad you're okay!
Digital Diva S. Apr 27, 2009, 4:57pm EDT
Wow what a mess. I'm glad you stayed safe. i lived in kansas for a long time and ran to the basement more times than I want to remember.
Kat W. Apr 27, 2009, 10:33pm EDT
Glad that you are safe and your power is back.
Renita P. Apr 28, 2009, 9:30pm EDT
Wow! Glad you are safe and have electricity again! Sounds as bad, if not worse, than hurricanes.
William Dotani Apr 29, 2009, 11:34am EDT
This is amazing. I'm glad you are okay. I hope your friends and neighbors are also okay.
phil w. Apr 30, 2009, 12:52am EDT
Wow!,Jenn ,what destruction. I've never heard of a Gravity Wave ,but it is obviously a bad Mamma Jamma ! You did a good job of your photo essay .
William Dotani May 2, 2009, 10:38am EDT
If you look at the change in weather patterns in the past 10 years, I'd be a bit alarmed in your area. The potential for violent storms has greatly increased. I hope you are taking preparation steps. Keep safe please.
Sheila Deeth May 6, 2009, 12:25am EDT
Wow. Amazing, scary pictures. Glad you're safe.
Vern R. May 16, 2009, 2:51am EDT
Whee! don't you all just know how to have good times! What a mess! And that is clever to "collect" those kerosene lamps.
Phyllis R. May 19, 2009, 9:24pm EDT
Going back through my friend's stuff, I found this Jenn!!! I am so sorry I am so late.
That was some totally devastation,--- happy to know you and your family are okay!
Connie L. Jul 10, 2009, 6:44pm EDT

This is a late post.  I am so glad you are alright, looks so horrible.
William Dotani Jul 12, 2009, 2:43pm EDT

One thing northern Alabama has is lots of water. Large open areas, including bodies of water are pretty much storm invitations.

I hope your neighbors like your siren sound. Blast it every morning and watch how many people will thank you for waking them up.
Jennifer aka Jenn B. Jul 12, 2009, 8:15pm EDT

LOL..myhusband went into the attic and disabled both sirens....now only the police and my dog know sirens have gone off...
Sheila Deeth Jul 14, 2009, 1:17am EDT

Hope things are heading back to normal.
Angela <:3---}~~~~ M. Aug 29, 2009, 11:35pm EDT
neat photos, but it sucks there was a tornado
Lady of Lake Merritt ... Aug 30, 2009, 5:59am EDT
amazing how reassuring electricity can be
Lucky Stars Oct 9, 2009, 11:13am EDT
I remember hearing about this happening this spring.
I've never heard of a gravity wave. I'll have to read up on it. I'm a weather not. ;-)
Lucky Stars Oct 9, 2009, 11:14am EDT
Errr..... I mean weather nut.
Curt L. Oct 20, 2009, 12:14pm EDT
Fabulous photos!
I am so glad you are OK!
El Toro Bravo de Amor Nov 13, 2009, 2:05pm EST
sounds sci fi. Did your watch run backwards?

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