Technology and a night of terror.

We live in an age of miraculous technology, and the field of meteorology utilizes some of the most advanced methods and devices to predict the path of upcoming weather episodes.

The National Weather Service is charged with alerting residents in areas that may lie in the path of severe weather, and hopefully, citizens will take the appropriate actions and lives can be saved.

Last night, we watched in horror as powerful and deadly tornadoes devastated communities in Alabama as they moved East towards Georgia, Reports of many fatalities in Tuscaloosa were reaching us as darkness set in.

We made our emergency preparations. We had the flashlights at the ready and the pets nearby. Our action plan was ready to implement on a second’s notice.

We were glued to the local news as the storm was tracked, and as the National Weather Service moved our area from a Tornado Watch to Warning.

The clock ticked down in a way that was both too fast and too slow. All of the towns that we know were given ever dwindling time frames to take cover …. Ten minutes, nine minutes, eight minutes … we headed for the basement …seven minutes …six …

When the storm was less than three miles from our house, it lifted off the ground and lost some of its force. Although we received high winds, torrential rain, and incredible amounts of lightning we were spared the devastation of a direct hit by a tornado.

Many others were not so fortunate. We are only now seeing the statewide devastation caused by one of the most powerful storm systems in history. Many lives were lost. We pray for them and the survivors.

It was a night of terror, but thanks to technology, we were continuously informed and were able to take the appropriate measures.

And I’m certain that in the hardest hit areas, lives were saved because they did the same.