Yesterday we knew there was going to be some pretty strong thunderstorms moving through the area, but I don't think any of us expected it to be this bad. I certainly didn't. That's why after I got off air, I went to the gym and then to my local Wal-Mart to grab some stuff for my son's bday party this weekend.
I was about halfway done shopping when everybody's phone goes off with a tornado warning telling us to take shelter immediately. I was in the middle of the store when an employee told me to 'stay put' and that 'the safest place to be is right here in the middle of the store.' Within seconds there was an announcement on the loud speaker telling everyone that they were issuing a 'code black' and that the doors would be locked, the registers closed and that all associates and customers were to move to the center of the store.
We stood there for the better part of half an hour while rain and hail pounded on the roof while we wondered if there was going to be a tornado. I was on the phone with my husband the whole time and we were all watching the news. Luckily the wind gusts/hail/lightning and rain were the worst of it and after about 25 minutes they gave us the all clear that we could continue shopping and that the registers were back open.
I'm not going to lie, after having rode out category 5 hurricane Michael, this experience was unsettling andI'm glad everybody stayed safe.
Here's a little video I took so you can see what its like!