FINCHforum

Our home was destroyed in the November 17, 2013 tornado that took out much of our community of Washington, IL. Thought I would try to share a few pictures since my flight cage and birds were part of the casualties.

I think tornadoes are the most terrifying of storms; I grew up in Texas and have been close - like across the street close once - but never actually hit. It is devastating for those who are.

I'm glad you are able to rebuild and amazed that any of your birds survived. Best wishes for your recovery in every way and thanks for sharing the photos. That was a beautiful flight.

Oh My God! You poor poor people. That is absolutely horrible and so so sad.
I'm sorry about all your losses, your home, your lovely flight and your poor little ones.

Thank heavens at least your zebbie babies survived.

As to Tornadoes. Horrible things. I have never been caught in one (thank God) but was too close for comfort to a cluster of six many years ago. I could not believe the force of the winds that surrounded that cluster. It was beyond terrifying to watch huge trees bending almost completely over and whipping back and forth like blades of grass.

I'm glad you and your family survived and wish you the best of luck with rebuilding.

So sorry to hear of your losses
Best of luck with the rebuild and restocking of your new flight

I am very sorry and sad to hear you and your family went through such a terrifying experience and loss of your home and loved pets. I'm in Texas and two years ago a tornado hit our neighborhood, but only one side of the street. Thank God it was not our side, but it makes you appreciate life, home and family. Tornados hit randomly and are so destructive, they are the scariest of natural disasters for me, except may Tsunami's.

I can't imagine having to deal with what you have gone through. So sorry for all your losses, at least you are safe. My teen years were spent in Kansas, and now I've lived many decades in Texas, so tornados are always a possibility. Not many homes are built with basements in this area, and that scares me, we had a basement to go to in Kansas. Tornados are also the most frightening natural disaster to me, because there is often little warning and the destruction can be so complete.

Such devastating photos and story. I can't hardly imagine how the Zebs survived in all that rubble that was once your home. quite amazing.

Sorry to hear your loss. It is good to hear some of your zeb's survived.

How terrible! It's amazing that anything survived that destruction.
This is one of my biggest fears with keeping birds. The dogs and cats I can take into the cellar or somewhere safe, but what can one do with dozens of birds in several cages in the event of a tornado, fire or other emergency?
Best of luck to you!

That could be a good discussion, about what anyone does or plans for a potential emergency. It likely depends on where they live and what may be experienced, such as; natural disasters, weather, power outages, etc. I'd be interested to know if anyone has an emergency plan for their finches....

We've had discussions at my local bird club about what to do in emergencies. Of course, it is much simpler for those members who might have a single parrot versus finch keepers with LOTS of cages. But I think I will start a topic on this subject under Finch Chat.

Oh, wow - I am so, so sorry for your loss. How terrifying! Amazing that any survived - that's a blessing. Many good thoughts to you as you rebuild. So sorry you are going through this.

Oh my gosh, that is TERRIBLE! I am so sorry you had to go through that....tornados are fascinating and terrifying at the same time. I've always been interested in them, and at one point wanted to chase them....but now with having so many animals, I am too full of fear and panic!

My husband and I took off on an RV full timing for 5 years, and we were very close a few times. If it was a really bad storm predicted (I get horrible headaches and weird stuff happening to me just for verification, ha ha!) I get all my animals in carriers ready to go. We have a cat which I put a leash on and put into a bag, a lizard which I put into a carrier, we used to have a cockatiel who I had a carry case for....I would even jar up my betta fish (I had 12 at one point, all had to be in separate tanks/emergency jars), and the hermit crabs would be put into tupperware with some sand.

I have no idea how I would get my finch and canary out of danger (and into a carrier!) in a jiffy, let alone more than 5 of them! UGH! I'll have to work on taming them more!

I'm glad to hear you had some survivors....maybe some others flew away to freedom and were saved....who knows? Either way....glad everyone else was safe and I hope you get through this ordeal coming out stronger than ever!