March 8, 2019

For my first three years in California, every time there was an earthquake in Southern California I’d get phone calls from family and friends in The South asking if I was OK. Of course, I was unaware that there had been an earthquake in Southern California until the phone calls started coming in.

So, it was perfectly reasonable to get emails and phone calls from California when the national news led with “Tornados rip damage and destruction across The South.”

While tornados didn’t rip through our corner of Mississippi, I was certainly aware of the pending danger. Unlike earthquakes, tornados and their aftermath can be multi-state events that keep you guessing for days.

The first tornado that made national news was in Columbus, MS – major devastation and two deaths. Columbus is just under five hours away from Walkers Bridge, but very close in my heart. It’s where I spent four, formative years getting degrees in Journalism, Political Science and Life. I’m heading back there on March 27th for our annual Homecoming celebration. As an historically all-women’s college that now accepts smart men, our Homecoming doesn’t revolve around a football game. We return to campus when the azaleas are in full bloom and the magnolias are starting to bud.

The Alumnae Association had made arrangements for a few of my classmates and me to stay in one of the historic homes on campus, Puckett House, in exchange for tending to the Foundation’s fund-raiser Silent Auction.

The tornado made its way down College Street toppling only a few oaks before ravishing the outskirts of Downtown. The only damage to campus was, wouldn’t you know it, to the Puckett House, where the 100+ year old chimney couldn’t withstand the wind. We now have reservations at the Hilton.

Tornados also made news in Alabama, where Mom and I are heading on Saturday. We won’t be close to Lee County which got the brunt of 150 mph winds but we expect to see damage along the way. Flooding, which was actually happening before the tornados, is still an issue. Our dinner plans for Saturday night are dependent on whether the Tombigbee River waters recede enough to access Ezelle’s Fish Camp.

In fact, Mom and I tentative about our travel plans because of tomorrow’s weather forecast – thunderstorms predicted for our entire route through Mississippi and into Alabama. But with a mini-family reunion scheduled for Sunday, I’m sure we will persevere!

To be fair, I’ve been following weather in Sacramento where rain, snow and flooding are making headlines. As Mark Twain (allegedly) said, “Everyone is talking about the weather, but no one seems to do anything about it.” A blog on Global Warning is sure to follow soon.