Every year the dental school sends the senior student to Atlanta, GA, for the Georgia Dental Conference - don't ask why because I don't know. If you have been watching the news you are aware that for the first time ever, downtown Atlanta got pounded by an F-2 tornado with winds reaching up to 135 mph, leaving a path of destruction 6 miles long and 200 yards wide.
With that back ground here we go, a group of us arrived in Atlanta Friday, late afternoon, had a bite to eat and walked from our hotel to the Atlanta Hawks game at the Philips Arena (which sits right next to CNN Center) at 7:30. Around 9:30-9:40 we almost left the arena since the game was almost over, we decided to stay for a photo opportunity court side (we later realized we made a lucky decision). At 9:45 the tornado touched ground with the Philips Arena and CNN Center right in path. All we noticed was a slight dimming of the lights. At 10:00 we left the arena after hearing rumor of tornado. The following pictures are what we experienced -
Olympic Park Friday Early Evening
Olympic Park Saturday Morning
Most of the above pictures were taken within 1/2 mile of Philips Arena where we were tucked in side. There were no reported deaths and only 30 injured, although, the destruction to certain areas was severe. We returned home to Louisville safe and sound on Saturday evening. We never did make it to the convention, it was canceled due to structural and weather damage at the convention center.
9 comments:
I am so glad you guys are okay. What a blessing!
HOLY COW!!! Is that your Van smashed under that pole?? I am sooo glad everyone was safe and sound. That is some pretty impressive damage. Wow.
That is holy cow scary! I'm glad you made that "lucky" decision. Funny how we call it that.
I am so glad you guys are okay. Tornadoes are so fascinating in that they make such specific lines of destruction. It is amazing that the tornado was so close to you, but didn't cause any damage right where you were. I have always said you are safe in a tornado as long as you are not right in its path. Very cool pictures!
we totally thought of trav when we heard it on the news...okay well jon did cause i didn't know he was in atlanta. but i am glad that you guys are ok. that is freaky. can you imagine...if something did happen....ahh...ok next topic.
Oh wow! That is really freaky! After the little tornado scares we've had here in KY recently, I would have probably passed out if I was there with that Atlanta tornado. Glad you were all safe!
Wow, how scary! I'm glad you guys were ok.
Just so you know that is NOT our van under the pole, thank goodness!! Travis and the guys walked to the game.
Mike would be so jealous! He waited so patiently for four years to see a tornado in Louisville. Glad your okay!
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