That's not the case for everyone. There are so many people who have suffered in the extreme heat, especially the elderly and the sick, and those that do not have the luxury of appliances to keep them comfortable.
Last Friday was yet another very hot and humid day. It had been predicted the day before that the potential for severe thunderstorms existed, if certain conditions prevailed.
As the day progressed our skies got darker and darker, we checked the radar on the weather station and there was a large storm system just north of us, and a severe storm warning had been posted for the area all around us.
By suppertime we were continually watching the skies. You could see the swirls in the clouds, and by early evening the thunderstorm hit, bringing us heavy wind, rain and hail.
The 3 pictures below are some I took from the dining room window during the storm.
You can see the force of the water coming out of our down spouts..
We continued to watch the radar and knew that we could be in for a very bad evening, but we were spared.
Not, so our neighbours just 35km down the road from us. While I was taking these pictures, our neighbours to the east were being hit with a EF4 tornado. It hit the community of Alonsa, and surrounding beach and camping communities.
The people of Alonsa, are our people. We share a lot of things with that community. We share our ambulance, our health center, vet, our churches and until recently our bank. There are people here, from there - and people there, from here. They are friend and family both, to many who live here.
The stories of survival being told by those who were there when the tornado hit, are incredible, and just as incredible is the fact that so many who could have lost their lives - did not.
One man did - a retired school teacher who lived and worked in the community all his life. He was found on his property, but everything on his property was gone.
It leveled homes, flipped vechiles and large campers over and one into the lake. It's path of destruction was wide and complete, and the effects it left behind, will be in many peoples hearts, minds and lives forever.
Cleanup has begin. Some will rebuild, some will not.
I know for a fact it will be the topic of conversation in my community for a very long time, because Alonsa is so well known to this community.
The pictures below are not my pictures, but some that have been shared on social media. I choose not to share the ones of demolished homes, or those of the property of the man who lost his life. There are many images of the destruction on the Internet - if you feel the need to view them, you can google them on your own.
Had this tornado made a slight turn to the west, someone would have been writing this tale about my community. I don't take that knowledge lightly, nor does anyone here.
Rest in peace Mr. Furrie,
and
God Bless the Community of Alonsa Manitoba
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