A man's harrowing ride inside his van to survive a devastating tornado in Little Rock, Arkansas. The powerful EF-3 twister tore through Pulaski and Lonoke counties, leaving a trail of destruction and loss of life.
On Monday, a massive tornado ripped through the small town of North Little Rock, killing one person and causing widespread devastation. In nearby Wynne, four more people lost their lives as the storm raged on.
Cody Coombes, the man who rode out the tornado in his pest control van, was visibly shaken but alive after the harrowing experience. He recounted his ordeal to CNN, describing how he sought refuge inside the vehicle when the storm hit.
"It's like nothing I've ever experienced before," Coombes told the network. "I just wanted to get away from it and wait for it to pass."
The National Weather Service confirmed that the tornado had reached estimated peak winds of 165 mph, making it a powerful EF-3 twister.
As the storm subsided, residents began to survey the damage and tend to their loved ones. Emergency responders worked tirelessly to search for anyone still trapped under the rubble.
For Coombes, who survived the ordeal by mere inches, the experience will be one he'll never forget. "I just feel incredibly lucky to have made it through," he said in an emotional interview with CNN.
The tornado serves as a poignant reminder of the unpredictable power of nature and the importance of seeking shelter when severe weather warnings are issued.
**Watch the full footage of Cody Coombes riding out the tornado:**
On Monday, a massive tornado ripped through the small town of North Little Rock, killing one person and causing widespread devastation. In nearby Wynne, four more people lost their lives as the storm raged on.
Cody Coombes, the man who rode out the tornado in his pest control van, was visibly shaken but alive after the harrowing experience. He recounted his ordeal to CNN, describing how he sought refuge inside the vehicle when the storm hit.
"It's like nothing I've ever experienced before," Coombes told the network. "I just wanted to get away from it and wait for it to pass."
The National Weather Service confirmed that the tornado had reached estimated peak winds of 165 mph, making it a powerful EF-3 twister.
As the storm subsided, residents began to survey the damage and tend to their loved ones. Emergency responders worked tirelessly to search for anyone still trapped under the rubble.
For Coombes, who survived the ordeal by mere inches, the experience will be one he'll never forget. "I just feel incredibly lucky to have made it through," he said in an emotional interview with CNN.
The tornado serves as a poignant reminder of the unpredictable power of nature and the importance of seeking shelter when severe weather warnings are issued.
**Watch the full footage of Cody Coombes riding out the tornado:**
... i remember watching tornado coverage on tv back in '98 and it was like something from a movie... never thought we'd see that kinda destruction again. what's wrong with our weather forecasting system? should've been evacuating people sooner 
... anyway, glad to hear coombes made it out alive 
... can't even imagine being stuck in that van for hours while the storm rages on... poor guy needs a drink and a hug 
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I mean, Cody Coombes is one lucky dude to have made it through that! 
. But honestly, it's a good reminder for us all to take those severe weather warnings seriously and seek shelter when necessary. We can never predict nature's power, but we can definitely prepare ourselves for it.
May they rest in peace. The recovery efforts are crucial, and I hope everyone gets the support they need during this tough time 
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. the thing is tho, u gotta be super grateful 2 b alive after that kinda ordeal... like, he said he just wanted 2 wait 4 the storm 2 pass & now he's got the memories 4 life 
. anyway, glad coombes made it thru tho 
. and coombes is literally just riding around with the windows down while the tornado is ripping his van apart... what was he even thinking?! 
. The fact that he just wanted to get away and wait for it to pass makes total sense, tbh 
. I hope everyone affected by the tornado is doing okay and getting the help they need 
. This is definitely going to be all over social media, can't wait to see the pics and vids 
!
the footage of him riding out the storm is giving me the chills 
gotta be super scared to be in a van during that...anyway, gotta give it up to cody for being alive and sharing his story 
the fact that he made it through by mere inches is just mind-blowing 
The power of nature is no joke. Let's just be grateful for these crazy survival stories and the tech (like weather alerts) that helps us stay safe! 
