A man in Little Rock, Arkansas, rode out a devastating EF-3 tornado in the safety of his pest control van. The storm, which tore through Pulaski and Lonoke counties, was estimated to have reached winds of 165 mph.
Eyewitness Cody Coombes told CNN that he had pulled over when the storm's funnel cloud appeared on the horizon, and then drove into a nearby parking lot for shelter. "I just started driving in any direction at all," Coombes said. "Just trying to get as far away from the tornado as possible."
The National Weather Service reported that the tornado caused significant damage and one fatality in North Little Rock, with four deaths reported in Wynne.
Coombes' decision to seek shelter in his van proved to be a lifesaver, allowing him to ride out the storm until it passed. He described the experience as "terrifying," but credited his quick thinking for his survival.
The EF-3 tornado is considered a relatively rare event, with peak winds of over 135 mph and damage extending up to one block wide in some areas. The storm's destruction was extensive, with reports of widespread power outages, downed trees, and damaged buildings.
Coombes' harrowing experience serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by tornadoes and the importance of seeking shelter quickly when a storm warning is issued.
Eyewitness Cody Coombes told CNN that he had pulled over when the storm's funnel cloud appeared on the horizon, and then drove into a nearby parking lot for shelter. "I just started driving in any direction at all," Coombes said. "Just trying to get as far away from the tornado as possible."
The National Weather Service reported that the tornado caused significant damage and one fatality in North Little Rock, with four deaths reported in Wynne.
Coombes' decision to seek shelter in his van proved to be a lifesaver, allowing him to ride out the storm until it passed. He described the experience as "terrifying," but credited his quick thinking for his survival.
The EF-3 tornado is considered a relatively rare event, with peak winds of over 135 mph and damage extending up to one block wide in some areas. The storm's destruction was extensive, with reports of widespread power outages, downed trees, and damaged buildings.
Coombes' harrowing experience serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by tornadoes and the importance of seeking shelter quickly when a storm warning is issued.
. i mean, can you even imagine having to make that split second decision? I guess some people are just wired differently, idk. but seriously though, super scary situation and glad he made it out alive 
. tornadoes are no joke, hope everyone affected is doing okay 
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. i mean we can't all be heroes like coombes here but it's crazy to think about how quickly he reacted and sought shelter. it just goes to show that preparation and quick thinking can really save lives in situations like this. anyway, hope everyone affected by the tornado is doing okay 
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OMG, that's literally insane! I mean, who needs a basement or a storm shelter when you've got a pest control van? Cody Coombes was pure genius for driving into a parking lot and getting outta there ASAP. I'm not even kidding, 165 mph is crazy talk! 
. I guess it's a good reminder to always follow those emergency instructions and get to safety ASAP. And, dude, that van is basically a superhero vehicle at this point! 
, can you imagine driving into a parking lot just to wait out a 165 mph tornado? 
The damage pics are crazy, I hope people are getting the help they need. And yeah, it's a good reminder to always take those storm warnings seriously. I've been in some bad thunderstorms before, but never anything like this.
Anyway, glad he made it out alive, that's for sure. What a wild ride, huh? 
his van was literally the only thing between him and death lol i mean imagine having to drive around in a parking lot with a twister bearing down on you 
at least he thought fast enough to get to safety, those seconds count like for real though four deaths is just too many 
and 165 mph winds? that's insane! i'm glad he made it out alive