Submitted by Pam Ogren
I was 16 years old dating a guy who was 18. He had a convertible and we had the top down riding around it was a beautiful day, then It got dark and we headed to my house just north of Hively in Elkhart. We started hearing the sirens, being curious we drove south on Main Street. Police stopped us but wouldn't tell us what happened. They directed us over the tracks toward Sunnyside. Just as we got over the tracks the second tornado came through. It picked up the front of our car and actually turned us around. I remember laying on the floor of the car and seeing the power poles dancing in the air like a cartoon and then being slammed back into the ground at weird angles.
Then it was completely still and silent except for the sound of cows mooing and a woman crying. She was running barefoot carrying a child. We tried to pick her up but she was in shock!!!! Eventually, we made our way to another railroad crossing and the office there told us power lines were down everywhere. not to touch anything metal in the car and to coast over the tracks and go north. When I got home my mom was in the basement looking out the window well. She said she could tell by looking at me that I had been "in it". I wanted to go somewhere to volunteer but she insisted I stay home.
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| Elkhart Truth Staff Photo |
Then it was completely still and silent except for the sound of cows mooing and a woman crying. She was running barefoot carrying a child. We tried to pick her up but she was in shock!!!! Eventually, we made our way to another railroad crossing and the office there told us power lines were down everywhere. not to touch anything metal in the car and to coast over the tracks and go north. When I got home my mom was in the basement looking out the window well. She said she could tell by looking at me that I had been "in it". I wanted to go somewhere to volunteer but she insisted I stay home.