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| This is the building where we lived in Waterford Square. |
Those words still reverberate in my mind, almost as clear as when they were uttered 23 years ago today by two of my co-workers at the Huntsville News - George Poague and David Bowman.
They had just returned from the destruction along Airport Road in Huntsville when a EF-4 tornado ripped through there. We had a townhouse in the Waterford Square complex behind a shopping center on Airport Road.
At 4:37 p.m., during rush hour, the twister touched down and went on a rampage, eventually destroying homes, businesses, churches, schools, cars and lives.
Twenty-four people lost their lives.
Nearly 500 people were injured.
Many of those injured and killed were sitting in their cars, on their way home from work or picking up their kids from after-school when the tornado crossed the intersection of Airport Road and South Memorial Parkway.
There was no Doppler radar at the time but, at 4:15, the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning.
The first report came at 4:31, according to radio transcripts from crews with the Huntsville Emergency Medical Services Inc. (HEMSI).
"Med comm 10-3, we've got what appears to be a tornado on the ground out toward the arsenal."
4:32 - "It looks like it's going to be south towards the arsenal and towards Martin Road. ... Can you pick it up?"
"Negative. We thought we heard something but we don't see anything yet."
4:32.15 - "10-4. We picked up the silhouette with the lightning coming down. It looks like it's moving toward the heart of the city."
4:32.22 - "10-4, we'll keep our eye on it."
4:33.46 - "That's probably it, we did hear something go over us a while ago right before that last unit informed us that there's one heading out this way. So, that's probably it in the air."
"10-4."
4:34.07 - "... we have visual contact with the tornado - we're at Drake (avenue) and the Parkway."
"10-4. Which way is it heading?"
4:34.27 - "It looks like it's going toward southeast."
4:35.07 - "... I need a unit at the K-9 range by the old airport. We've got people down."
The following is after the emergency crews arrive.
4:44.29 - "I was taking short cut through Waterford Square due to traffic on Parkway. We have multiple buildings down off Balmoral behind Captain D's. I'm going to see what I can find."
What he found was unimaginable and something never before seen in Huntsville.
One thing, though, it was hard to see anything because the power was out and it was dark and it was raining. Crews worked with emergency lighting, headlights, TV camera lights and anything else they could find as a light source.
It wasn't until the next morning when the amount of destruction was revealed.
Residents returned to dig through the rubble of their homes, hoping to find precious belongings and keepsakes, including photos, wedding gowns, baby clothes.
The term "war zone" is tossed around but, in this instance - according to National Guard and Reservists aiding in the rescue - that term applied. For a short summary of the disaster, visit http://valleywx.com/2012/11/15/8486/
Today, that section of Huntsville is a booming economic district with businesses and restaurants. Waterford Square has rebuilt as have the churches and schools that were in the path.
But, on that November day in 1989, it was gone ... all gone.
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