Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Panic and Absolute Hysteria

As many of you know, my number 1 biggest hang up about moving here BY FAR was tornados. Tornados have ALWAYS been my most feared natural disaster...I am an absolute wreck when I even think about them. So, when we were looking at homes here, I insisted on a basement. Cemented. I grilled our realtor about tornado warnings (how often, what months, where do you go if you are not at home, etc.) I made Mike look up statistics about them. Yes, I was a total freak.

Which is why today, when I was sitting here watching the girls play, and I heard a strange noise, I IMMEDIATELY thought it was a tornado siren. My eyes shot to the window and I laughed at myself because it was a gorgeous day outside. But the sound continued. It was strange, and the only way I can really describe it is it was the same noise that a table saw makes when you put a piece of wood in it. That, crossed with a dying cat. It sounded far away, and I thought maybe my microwave or washing machine was going whacky. So I went upstairs, and I could tell it was coming from outside, and getting louder.
I cautiously opened my door (because I was in my bathrobe) and peaked outside. The sound was definitely out there, and it seemed to be rolling accross the town. It progressively got louder and louder until it right upon me. Even though I had never heard them, I knew that it was DEFINITELY the Tornado Sirens.

Confused, I grabbed my phone and called my sister, and then I LOST it. Bawling my head off in a hysterical panic. I think I managed to spit out that the tornado sirens were going off, and she told me to go to the basement. I sobbed for awhile longer and then managed to tell her that there were no tornados, that it was sunny outside. Yes, I sounded like a real lunatic.

But you see, just HEARING the sirens put me into complete panic mode. I have no idea what the heck I would do if they were going off during an actual storm. I think I need to keep a stock of Xanax for this very reason. I am going to have to sedate myself everytime there is a dang tornado warning. Just kill me now!

Oh, and I think I managed to traumatize Rachel pretty well, she is absolutely petrified of the sirens, she thinks they are going to get her. Nice.

I googled and found this siren. It sounds pretty close to the ones I heard today. So if you haven't heard it, take a listen. It's totally creepy sounding.

Oh, and apparently that siren was part of a drill that they do EVERY MONTH. Heaven help me and my fragile nerves.

16 comments:

CandraWynne said...

Oh my gosh Joy!! That is my BIGGEST fear as well. Everytime Taylor talks about moving or vacationing in Texas during tornado season I put my foot down and say HECK NO!! I'm so glad that it was a false alarm and at least you know what it does sound like so next time you won't even hesitate you'll go straight for the basement. and yes I'm with you grab the medicine and keep it down there so you don't ever have to wonder where it is :)

Shannon & Eli said...

Oh I would totally freak!!! I could never live there...never!

Gabbitas Family said...

I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL! I just told Sterling to read your blog because he will laugh his head off that we have the same fear. In NY we had sirens but it was every time the fire trucks would leave the station. We knew something was going on. Those freaked me out at first and then I got use to the noise. Ah! Hopefully you don't get caught in any wind storm!

Sarah S said...

Hang in there, girl! Hopefully, you'll get used to it. Put it on your calendar so you're not caught by surprise again! :)

Brie Wheelwright said...

I'm glad I'm not the only one that freaks out about stuff like that. I wouldn't even let Steve apply to certain schools because of Tornadoes. Certainly not anywhere in the south after all of their hurricanes. You poor thing, I can't imagine the anxiety of hearing that and then knowing that you're the one in charge. I hope that you never have to deal with the real thing. We miss you guys!

Bobbi Leavitt said...

That is horrible, but i know that you are smart and even in a panic state you will know what to do. That is IF you ever have to deal with anything other than the sirens. It will be okay!

hendywow said...

I can totallt relate, Every uscle in my body tenses every time I hear a siren, especially at night (childhood stuff)anyway,SCARY!
By The Way;LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the pics of my girls!

hendywow said...

It says; totally, and muscle, I must have been tense just thinkin about it!

Erin Wittwer said...

Tornatos are my biggest fear too! I love how much you studied up on your house and drilled the realitor. I think that was way smart of you!
Good Luck with those sirens!

The Williams Family said...

So that is the most awful noise I have ever heard - that almost put me into a state of panic just listening to it! Hang in there! We miss you guys!

Wright said...

I just think you need to ..... A. move B. stock your storm cellar with tranquilizers C. get a gun D. tell Mike that Indiana just doesn't agree with you and you need to choose "A".....

Kim said...

All I can say is "bear" we freaked you out when we took you camping as a small child and then told you there were bears in the area.

Yeah I listened to about 2 seconds of that siren and decided it had to go. I'm soo sorry joy, how long do you have to live there?

Sherwoods said...

Okay, yep, those sirens are annoying. However, I LOVE this blog post. You seriously crack me up. Love it. We were under tornado warning during Christmas break in Missouri and I was pretty much freaking out too. Good luck every month. Make sure you take your happy pills (Xanax)!

Erika Hanks said...

You poor thing, how scary!!!!!!! Can I just tell you, Rachel's bday invitations are TO DIE FOR!!!!!!!!!!

Nick and Maddy Winward said...

You poor thing! Hopefully you never have to deal with one for real!

Jenni said...

Sorry girl, we have those in Kentucky every month too...they are really creepy! Where are you in Indiana, I bet we are close.