I drove away from the debris field left from that morning’s tornado. My mind wondered what would have happened if the van continued to shake. How difficult would it be to exit a shaking van? If there was no storm shelter, where would I go in the middle of a field? Has my van been damaged in any way? Why is the dashboard’s emergency light on? I have thousands of miles yet to travel; need this van and all that I carry within it.

My left hip hurt when I returned to the van after being in the storm shelter for about a half hour. Fortunately I had ice in my ice chest and put a bag of it on my hip. Now 4 hours later as I drove down the road, my van was my top priority. I stopped at a Discount Tire and asked they check the air pressure in all my tires. Good! But, emergency light is still on. 

My weather report showed the storm was still about 2 hours in from of me. I decided to eat breakfast and drive slowly so I would not have another tornado concern. I also found a RAM dealership and asked about the message on my dashboard, “parking lights are out”. One light had been knocked out of place on the van’s roof, no doubt by the tree that fell at the side of my van during the tornado.

Could it be that I only have to replace one light? No other malfunction seemed to be known. The parts guy didn’t have the light, but could order one for me. I was not staying in town so he gave me the phone number of a dealership in Raleigh, North Carolina that had the light. I made arrangements for the purchase of the light and service for a couple of days after my birthday while in Raleigh. 

As the rain continued, I discover a windshield leak! I had been thrilled to drive so far with no rock hitting the windshield, but now to deal with a leak!  Why not!?! If it ever stops raining I would take a good look at the side of the van where tree branches swiped. Something did hit the middle of the front hood. That dent will be my constant reminder of the tornado. I wish I could say I see sunny days ahead; but no. Overall though, I am one lucky person!

I questioned the guys in the Parts Department because they shared tornadoes are just what they grew up with in Oklahoma. They were impressed with my to-go-backpack. They had seen people left with absolutely nothing after a tornado wiped their home away. I mentioned about moving to the floor of my van. They had a better idea since I had not thought about a tree crushing the van roof to the floor. I had built a sturdy bed frame with a small storage area under it. Its width about a foot, maybe 2 feet deep and 3 feet high. If needed, I would pull everything out and fold myself into the space. The bed frame is the most sturdy part of my van. With it over my head, it may not collapse under the weight of a tree or some other flying object. I hope I never have to test it!

I‘ve talked with other people in the days since my tornado experience. It’s interesting to hear their stories. A woman from Missouri told me they sit out on their porch and watch the tornado. Really!?! Others have been in their storm shelter about once a week in Oklahoma. The guys I spoke with said other places have flash floods, earthquakes, etc, we just have tornadoes; that’s how it is! 

Well if experiencing a tornado was ever on my bucket list, I can now cross it off as completed. I would not be interested in experiencing another or larger tornado. One per lifetime is plenty for me! I was lucky to be with the people I was when the tornado stormed 30 miles east of Oklahoma City and shook my van and me! I appreciated the people I met later in the day who reassured me that my thinking was good during that experience. Now I am at a campground. A tornado is predicted for 11pm this night in Hot Springs, Arkansas. I already decided the restroom is where I will be for safety and was thrilled when the weather report changed to rain at 9pm. People in Arkansas told me the rolling hills here would slow any tornado and maybe that’s exactly what happened. Tomorrow I’ll deal with the windshield leak … and life … and travel goes on!