60 MPH winds and going strong
Yesterday was not a good day to be outside. While the Omaha area had a blizzard and everyone was cautioned to stay home if possible, here in Kearney we had only a hint of rain and snow. We had wind and not just any wind, but very high winds.
According to the National Weather Service (.gov) using The Fujita Scale, a Gale tornado comes in between 40-72 mph. That’s an F1. Yesterday the weather service reported our winds gusted up to 60 MPH. In other words, we were in tornado speed winds. Those winds howled around our house and rattled the windows. When the windows rattled, I shuddered. I am not safe in even mild breezes. I’d been blown to Kansas if I even stuck my nose out of the door. I didn’t of course.
This certainly isn’t the first time we’ve had such wind. Our house is ranch style with our front door facing north and our back door facing south. When winds blow they file right by the front of the house. When our kids were growing up, they were in and out and in and out, especially during the summers. We added a screen door to make it easier for the kids to come and go. We soon had a problem.
If the door was opened when there was a breeze, and that’s pretty often in Nebraska, the wind would catch the door and slam it against the siding, if not caught. In a strong wind, that wind ripped the door off its hinges. We replaced our screen door time and time again. Each time, seeking to anchor it more firmly and cautioning the kids to hang onto it. A particularly scary wind didn’t wait for the door to be opened, it ripped the closed door off its hinges, destroying even the framing. We decided we’d spent enough on front screen doors. We’d open windows for more air in the summer time.
We had a back screen door as well. But we didn’t have a similar problem with wind at the south/back door. In fact, we considered that screen door safe because the whole frame was recessed. One afternoon when just our daughter and I were home, the wind suddenly whipped up. We heard a loud crack and rip. Rushing to the back door we looked out. That recessed screen door and some of the frame were now several yards away, flat against the fence. OK. So much for a back screen door.
Blizzards in Nebraska in Nebraska are dangerous, but so are tornado speed winds. Many have lost lives thinking they could handle both and be out in them. Stubbornness and recklessness doesn’t keep you alive. When the weather is bad, take care. It might be better, if you can, to spend the day at home enjoying your family. For bad weather will come. That’s part of nature and life.
When storms howl, I remember it takes all kinds of weather to help plants grow and flowers bloom. Storms in my life can help me grow and mature as well. They also show me, ultimately, and like the “safe” screendoor in back, I am not in control. God is. I am glad that even during storms in nature or life, I am safe with Him.
(c) 2025 Carolyn R Scheidies
Column published in Kearney Hub 3/19/2025
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