NOTE: WIFL Communications Director Dan Ryan was at his parent's house in New Smyrna Beach, Fla. when it was struck by a tornado Friday morning while the neighboorhood of Thunder communication intern Taylor Holley was affected. Here's their reactions.

DAN RYAN
Bad boy comes in just as advertised. Sounds like a train at first. Then the windows shatter and the pressure is sucked out. And just as you’re thinking “Holy s---, it’s a tornado,” it’s over.

Except, of course, there’s a skylight in the living room, the front porch is now hanging on the power line 200 feet away, the storage shed simply is no longer and my childhood bedroom looks just like it did back when I was in third grade. Maybe a little neater, but you get the idea.

When a tornado comes in at 4 a.m. your survival instincts kick in – duck, cover and pray. Then you’re in shock while you’re trying to assess the situation and scrambling to see if the cat’s okay.

But when the sun comes up a couple hours later, you get your first true look at the big picture, and then you realize “Holy s---, this was serious”

Fortunately, or unfortunately, we’ve gotten good at responding to these things in Florida. Police and fire are doing their thing within minutes. The family and friends start their aid as well. The claims adjustors, landscapers, tree removal people and that ilk begin making their rounds. 

The Thunder family is on the roof saving what’s inside the house from further damage. I’m running three cell phones dealing with family, FEMA, and the insurance people. In my downtime, my training kicks in and I’m working with all the media people – many of them I know -- walking my street. Hey, you cope your way, I’ll cope mine.

By 5 p.m., the only thing remaining is getting the folks over to the townhome to relax, taking the guys out for an appreciation meal and tying up a few minor loose ends. With nothing left to do, you simply collapse. The true recovery part starts the next day.    


TAYLOR HOLLEY