“108th story”
First Published: Sep.12.2019
A story by Laleh Chini:
A story by Laleh Chini:
In 1986; I lived in Charleston, a small city and the Capital of West Virginia with a population to near 50,000 at that time. Charleston had one shopping mall and a beautiful main street beside the river, and one vast picnic park.
One day there was a street festival in downtown, which at least half of the population participated — walking by the river with the loud music, between back to back crowd was very joyful.
There were many street foods along with the street concert. Many people were holding ice cream in hand; some kids had cotton candy. People were dancing and having the best time, my cousins and I were appreciating the happy moments.
I think it was around 3 pm when we started getting closer to the stage and were dancing with thousands of others.
All of a sudden, the sky got very dark, like a cold winter night. Clouds were compacting to extreme, the thunder’s voice was so loud that shook everyone’s bone structures.
We could feel the clouds would explode any second. Everyone started running without knowing where to. The out of leash wind started.
The stage went up high to the sky with all the instruments, and gladly the performers left the stage seconds before that. We all held hands and ran to find shelter. It was very dark, and it was hard to see.
Some store owners opened the doors to the public; God bless them; they saved us. The rain started pouring, and every drop was a bursting water balloon. Many other things that the tornado sucked in dropped back to the ground from the sky.
The beautiful Charleston turned into a disaster in just a few hours. We all survived along with many others.
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An excellent photo story
Thanks so much Derrick.
Gosh, is that a true account? It reads like one. Terrifying. Yet all survived.
Yes, I was there in the chaos. It was terrifying indeed. Thanks dear for commenting.
Wow, so glad we don’t get them. Though we do get high winds.
Climate change is creating more disasters. That’s so unfortunate.❤️
But climate is never static, by its nature. We live in a complex system.
You are right.
That is terrifying!
Unfortunate people oh Bahamas are the most recent victims. Thanks dear.❤️
Jesus. Must have been aweful.
Terrifying, thanks dear.❤️
Terrible! When we read news about these things, its difficult to perceive the actual situations!!
I feel so bad for Bahamas. Thanks Indira dear.❤️
Beautiful post and pictures. I’m glad that no one hurt. The interesting part is that we never had tornado and nature disasters before, as much as we do now in America.
Love you.❤️
A terrifying thing to experience!
Yes it was Peter. Thanks for your visit.❤️
Awful, but awesome. Seeing a real tornado is one of the main reasons I want to visit U.S.
Unfortunately, those whirls are not wandering just on empty plains; they hit towns and cities, they bring disaster and tragedy.
Nature is mighty and sometimes merciless. However, we should remember that we are not in nature’s hands, but in God’s hands.
Unfortunatly, most of these natur’s disasters are caused by humen. Thanks for sharing your thoughts dear. Be careful what you wish for, being in a tornado isn’t delightful, LOL.
How frightening, glad you’re ok x
Thanks sweetheart. Life is an experience field, mostly horrible ones.
Terrible 😱
Thanks for visiting dear, appreciate your comment.
Incredible photos!
I use the Pixabay site for my blog pictures. Thanks Mark.
Incredible! So glad you survived! I filmed a tornado that was close to our home once. I called the local news in Denver and they came to our house and interviewed me live and put my video on TV. It is surreal watching a tornado! God bless!
Awww, so wonderful, thanks for sharing it. What year was it?
That was back in the summer of 2008.
How time flies. I am glad you guys are ok.
Frightening, indeed!
It sure was. Thanks dear for reading and commenting.
Congratulations, dear Laleh!
I have nominated your blog for the Mystery Blogger Award.
More about this nomination is at
https://dearkitty1.wordpress.com/2019/09/12/mystery-blogger-award-thank-you-showdonttell/
Awww, you are very kind dear. Appreciate it.
Thank you for your kind words! I wish you no more tornadoes 🙂
LOL, no more tornadoes for earth, please.
What a terrifying experience, Laleh! Happily, these days we have better warning systems for tornadoes and hurricanes.
Yes, better warning system. They were not able to even predect a rain, LOL. Thanks so much darling.
Living in Texas, I’m always fearing hearing those tornado sirens go off. I’m so sorry that you had to experience something so scary, but very grateful that you are here with us today to share this story with us, Laleh. It’s a great example of how things can change so quickly.
Awwww, you are a sweetheart dear. Too many tornadoes these days in Texas. It wasn’t like that years ago.
I agree! This weather is getting more and more unpredictable. Definitely not like it was some years back.
That’s unfortunate. Thanks.
Being a resident of Kansas, what you’ve written hits close to home. Scary! Glad you are ok, Laleh. Those images are incredible and I’d love to dig my teeth into those ice cream cones! They look amazing.
Awww, sweet Susi, the way you described the ice-cream I wanted a bite too.LOL
It is very scary to live in a tornado alley. God bless you and others.
It does look inviting, doesn’t it?! Thanks, Laleh!
LOL, sure does.
What a life experience, living for moments in such horrible fear. You were saved for a reason, which is , that you contribute such wonderful words , stories and an amazing book to the world.
You are an awesome friend, appreciate your kind words.
Thank you, so are you
❤️❤️❤️
What a frightening experience. So glad you all survived. And it came suddenly unexpectedly, wow,♥️
Thanks so much dear. Back then there was no warning I guess.
Yes, not like today. 😊
❤️❤️❤️
Incredible story and photos, Laleh. Thanx for sharing.
Thanks for reading dear, means a lot.❤️
Wonderful story with such vivid imagery. Hanging on to each word made me feel as though, I was there. 😊🌸
Awww my dear friend, appreciate your beautiful words.❤️
You are certainly welcome, the pleasure is all mine, Laleh. 💜😊
❤️❤️❤️
💜💜💜
Whoa! What a horrible storm! But it was wonderful to read about the kindness of shop owners who let people in out of the storm.
I know, there are many kind hearted people in the world God bless them all. Appreciate your comment dear.❤️
Wow, what an experience. And with no warning? You were very lucky.
Yes it was dear. There was no warning back then but less tornadoes 😂
Any type of thunderstorm turns eyes to the sky, searching for potential harm from a funnel cloud. Your account definitely captured the trauma of the tornado hitting Charleston without warning.
I have never experienced such an event, but we had a close call during a tornado warning at the middle school I was teaching at. Fortunately, the storm stayed south of our location.
I’m glad you have never experienced a tornado. It’s a horrible experience. Thanks so much dear for sharing your story appreciate it.❤️
You must have survived a terrible tornado, I feel sorry for you. Fortunately, there are no tornadoes in Poland, but due to climate change they can also appear over time.
best wishes
I hope you never see one in Poland 🇵🇱 dear. Unfortunately tornadoes are happening frequently.❤️
Glad to know you all came out safe.
Appreciate it.
Thank you for sharing!.. have witnessed 4 tornadoes in my lifetime here on the prairies, do not wish for another… 🙂
Until we meet again..
May the sun shine all day long
Everything go right, nothing go wrong
May those you love bring love back to you
May all the wishes you wish come true
May peace be within you
May your heart be strong
May you find whatever you’re seeking
Wherever you may roam
(Irish Saying)
Ohhhh, so scary. Thanks for sharing these beautiful words.❤️
How frightening! I’m so glad you survived the tornado, dear friend.
Appreciate your kindness dear.❤️
Glad you came out of it safely. The weather can be such a teacher, no? Disciplinarian, consoler, lover, and alas, enemy.
Appreciate it, yes indeed. And mostly a harsh teacher, LOL.
Thank you very much, for another thoughtful story, Laleh! From the wonderful Charleston to Canada? What a journey through the States. 😉 Excuse again the late re-visit. I hope you and yours are well, and staying save. Have a beautiful weekend! Michael
Hi Michael, it’s always wonderful to hear from you. Happy a nice weekend dear.🌺
Thank you very much, Laleh! Very kind of you. Enjoy your weekend too. Please stay save. Michael
🙏🌷
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That is so frightening and terrifying, you told the story as always so wonderfully, like am witnessing all of that. May God help us all in terrible times.
You’re more than kind Samreen dear.💗
You are too kind to say so🌺🤗❤️
🌺😘🤗❤️
😍🥰
Wow that must’ve been scary. And now kind the shop keepers were. So glad it had a good ending.
💜🍃💜
Thanks for reading sweetheart.😘❤️
My pleasure 😊💜
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
QUITE A TWIST…SO TO SPEAK! <3
Thanks Jonathan.❤️
MOST WELCOME YOU ALWAYS ARE, LALEH! <3
💗🙏
<3 😀
Argh, tornados are awful, but this post is a real nice share.
Appreciate your kindness dear.🌺
Thank you for sharing this tough one though
Thanks dear for your time, appreciate it.🌺
Have a blessed week, Laleh!
Thanks Joy, you too dear.🌺
Awesome story! It kept me on the edge of my seat. I’m so glad you all weren’t hurt!
I saw a small tornado once in the middle of a volcanic dune but I guess it was nothing compared to the tornado you told us about.
It sure is scary. The interesting part is that you can’t predict any second, just leave it to God. Thank you dear.
I like the simplicity in your language and ease to understand your stories , no doubt that makes them popular
Awww that’s very kind of you.🌺
Reblogged this on Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News.
Thanks dear.🌺
Wat heb je dit prachtig beschreven .In tornado gebied wonen moet schrikwekkend zijn op die momenten
.
Thank you dear, means a lot. I always say the same when I hear the Tornado in News.