A man in Arkansas survived a harrowing experience by taking refuge inside his pest control van during an EF-3 tornado. The twister tore through Pulaski and Lonoke counties, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming several lives.
Eyewitness Cody Coombes recounted the terrifying ordeal from the safety of his vehicle, which acted as a protective barrier against the storm's fury. "I'm just grateful to be alive," he said in an interview with CNN.
The National Weather Service reported that the tornado reached peak winds of 165 mph, causing widespread devastation and chaos throughout the affected areas. One person lost their life in North Little Rock, while four others perished in Wynne.
Coombes' decision to seek shelter inside his van proved to be a wise one, as it shielded him from the worst of the storm's impact. He has praised the vehicle for its reliability and strength during the ordeal.
As the nation grapples with the aftermath of this disaster, many are left wondering how such tragedies can occur in seemingly quiet communities like Little Rock, Arkansas. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of severe weather events and the importance of staying informed about weather conditions.
For Coombes, the experience has left an indelible mark. "I'll never forget what happened today," he said, his voice still shaking with emotion. His harrowing tale is a testament to the power of resilience in the face of catastrophic circumstances.
Eyewitness Cody Coombes recounted the terrifying ordeal from the safety of his vehicle, which acted as a protective barrier against the storm's fury. "I'm just grateful to be alive," he said in an interview with CNN.
The National Weather Service reported that the tornado reached peak winds of 165 mph, causing widespread devastation and chaos throughout the affected areas. One person lost their life in North Little Rock, while four others perished in Wynne.
Coombes' decision to seek shelter inside his van proved to be a wise one, as it shielded him from the worst of the storm's impact. He has praised the vehicle for its reliability and strength during the ordeal.
As the nation grapples with the aftermath of this disaster, many are left wondering how such tragedies can occur in seemingly quiet communities like Little Rock, Arkansas. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of severe weather events and the importance of staying informed about weather conditions.
For Coombes, the experience has left an indelible mark. "I'll never forget what happened today," he said, his voice still shaking with emotion. His harrowing tale is a testament to the power of resilience in the face of catastrophic circumstances.
can u even imagine takin shelter in a pest control van during a tornado?? 
that's like somethin outta a horror movie! Coombes was SO lucky 2 have made it thru, and I'm glad his van held up 4 him! 
gotta give it up 4 the ingenuity, too... but also can we talk about how crazy these storms r? 
EF-3 twisters are NO JOKE, and it's insane how much destruction they can cause 
i'm so grateful he made it out alive, and those lost their lives are still in our thoughts 
It's a good reminder to always stay alert and informed about the weather, especially if you live in an area prone to severe storms. 
165 mph winds are insane, like who expects that kinda destruction? 
And all that destruction... so much loss of life. It's just heartbreaking 
. We need better weather forecasting systems and warning systems that can get the word out quickly. This guy was lucky he had his trusty van to hide in. Not a solution, just a Band-Aid fix 
. And what about all the other people who didn't have access to such vehicles? 
. And four lives lost in total? It's just heartbreaking 
.
The deadliest year was 1925, with 695 deaths. But thankfully, most tornadoes are now more predictable because of advancements in weather forecasting.
They're not just for schoolkids anymore! More and more homes are getting equipped with tornado shelters or safe rooms. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), over 40% of new construction in high-risk areas now includes a storm shelter. Progress, right?
The World Meteorological Organization reported a global temperature average of 1.02°C above pre-industrial levels. Yikes! We need to keep working on climate change solutions ASAP.
... like, who needs a weather app or radar when you've got a trusty pest control van as a backup shelter? 
Cody's van basically became his own personal bunker and we're all just impressed by that level of preparedness. On the bright side, at least he'll never have to worry about rodents getting in the way of his daily commute again... RIP Little Rock
. Surviving an EF-3 tornado by hiding in your van is pretty intense, but I guess that's what makes Cody Coombes a resilient guy 
. I mean, coombes' decision to hide out in there was probably the smartest thing he could've done, but still... what are the chances of that happening? 
