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The next 5 seconds of your life

By Chip Jefferson

Real Estate Agent with Gibbs Realty and Auction Company 81147

July 02, 2009 04:59 AM

Wow what a night. Lexington South Carolina is usually a quiet little place without much drama. Not last night.

We got home late from a scrimmage ballgame and was getting everyone ready for bed when suddenly I heard a distinct BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR of a freight train. What? Grabbing my children from upstairs we ran to the lower level and took cover. The next 5 seconds was scary! It seemed like 5 minutes.

NO WARNINGS ISSUED. As I have a all weather radio that didn't make a sound.

Official reports say it was a microburst but for those that seen it we know what it was. It was a small funnel cloud (tornado) that hit the ground for maybe 5 seconds. The wind was in excess of 60-70 MPH.

Westbrook and Martins Grove Community in Lexington South Carolina has some major damage and lots of debris all over the place. I have not ventured out yet this morning but I will post pictures as I can. I know there are large trees down and a few roofs that are gone. All within 5 seconds with no warnings. No rain no lightning no nothing!

Animated-Tornado.gif Tornado image by ehtycsarbil

Laura Jefferson

My New Convertible....Home firewood now

These are my neighbors homes

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Svetlana Stolyarova

Local-n-Global Realty, Cleveland and International Real Estate Solution - Mayfield Heights, OH

Local-n-Global Realty, Broker 216-548-4663

Laura - good for you and your family to be safe. What a reminder - we are so helpless before the power of nature. Wow! Just 5 seconds!

Jul 02, 2009 06:49 AM

TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.

Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN

Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

Wow! Who wudda thunk it? It is amazing what the weather will do...

Your building consultant for life in Nashville, TN

Jeff Engle

Neighborly Realty - Lincoln, CA

PlacerAreaHomes.com

Puts it all in perspective! Glad you and your family is safe and relatively minor damage to your home.

Jul 02, 2009 08:02 AM

Chip Jefferson

Gibbs Realty and Auction Company - Columbia, SC

It was at 10:15 or so last night so it was dark. No warning to anyone by NWS. No one was hurt in my neighborhood but a few minor injuries were reported around the immediate area.

Jul 02, 2009 09:18 AM

Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®

Lewisburg, WV

Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Laura, 5 seconds...amazing what can happen in that short period. Glad you and family are OK.

Jul 02, 2009 10:14 AM

Dawn Maloney

RE/MAX Trinity Northeast Ohio Real Estate Specialist - Hudson, OH

330-990-4236 Hudson & Northeastern Ohio

Gives me chills - I'm so glad you and yours are okay~!!!!

Jul 02, 2009 10:16 AM

Steve Loynd

Alpine Lakes Real Estate Inc., - Lincoln, NH

800-926-5653, White Mountains NH

Laura, so glad to hear that your scare was not more than that, I hope everything turns out well for your neighbors as well.

Jul 02, 2009 10:38 AM

Brian Schulman

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Lancaster PA - Lancaster, PA

Lancaster County PA RealEstate Expert 717-951-5552

Laura, stories like that make us realize the preciousness and fragility of life.

Jul 02, 2009 10:58 AM

Jeani Codrey

RE/MAX Corridor - New Braunfels, TX

Director of Opportunity & Agent Development

Holy Cow!!! That is so scary! I am so glad that you and your family are safe! Take care and be careful.

Jeani

Lenn Harley

Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA

Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Wow! Glad you had no injuries. I've never been in one. They are rare in this area, but one did come through close to my home about 5 years ago and did some major damage.

I would have guessed that Columbia is pretty far east for a tornado. They seem to pop up just about anywhere lately.

Jul 02, 2009 10:59 AM

Stephen Orear

Northern Nevada Real Estate - REMAX Realty Affiliates - Carson City, NV

Realtor, CDPE - Carson City NV - Real Estate Specialist

Hi Laura, glad you and your family are okay. I thouhgt they came along with bad weather and at least you would know to prepare. i have never seen or experienced one. Hope your neighbors are okay too.

Jul 02, 2009 11:14 AM

Patricia Aulson

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOME SERVICES Verani Realty NH Real Estate - Exeter, NH

Realtor - Portsmouth NH Homes-Hampton NH Homes

Great post today with a real "heads up".....we should not take things for granted that's for sure. Things can and do change in minute Each day is a gift.

Patricia Aulson/portsmouth nh

Jul 02, 2009 12:42 PM

FN LN

Toronto, ON

Laura, I'm glad to hear that you and family are OK. Life can change in an instant. The Greater Toronto Area rarely gets tornados.

Jul 02, 2009 01:07 PM

Bob & Carolin Benjamin

Benjamin Realty LLC - Gold Canyon, AZ

East Phoenix Arizona Homes

Initially saw your post and wondered if it had something else to do with the S Carolin news. All the best.

Jul 02, 2009 01:26 PM

Russell Lewis

Realty Austin, Austin Texas Real Estate - Austin, TX

Broker,CLHMS,GRI

out of the blue, things can change so quickly. Growing up in West Texas, tornado's are prevalent and unpredictable. Good to hear you anf family are safe and well!

Jul 02, 2009 01:57 PM

Lane Bailey

Century 21 Results Realty - Suwanee, GA

Realtor & Car Guy

Glad everyone is OK. I have seen some strange things... that isn't one of them... and I'm cool keeping it that way.

Jul 02, 2009 02:32 PM

Christine Donovan

Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA

Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

I'm glad you and your family are okay. Mother Nature can be both awesome and scary. We never get warnings with our large earthquakes.

Jul 02, 2009 04:43 PM

William James Walton Sr.

WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Briotti Group - Waterbury, CT

Greater Waterbury Real Estate

Oh wow. Glad that you and the kids were safe. We've been having a few of those up here as well this week (but we were warned at least - or maybe you missed the warning while at the game?).

Jul 02, 2009 04:49 PM

Roland Woodworth

Blue Cord Realty - Clarksville, TN

Blue Cord Realty

Laura: Good to hear you and your family are OK... Just think if this was 15, 25 or even 45 seconds what damage could have happened.

Jul 02, 2009 04:51 PM

April Hayden-Munson

Brookfield, WI

Brookfield Wisconsin Real Estate

Laura, glad to hear you and the neighbors are ok. Mother nature is amazing!

Jul 07, 2009 06:09 PM

The next 5 seconds of your life

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