A man in Arkansas weathered a tornado by riding it out inside his van. The EF-3 tornado swept through Pulaski and Lonoke counties with winds of 165 mph, killing at least five people.
Cody Coombes, the driver, described his terrifying experience to CNN. He was able to shield himself from debris using his arms and hands, but not without being tossed around inside the van.
"I just kind of held on for dear life," Coombes said in an interview with CNN. "I don't know what I would have done if I had been thrown out."
The National Weather Service confirmed that the tornado was rated EF-3, with winds of at least 136 mph. The storm caused significant damage and destruction, with reports of homes and buildings being destroyed.
Coombes' van served as a makeshift shelter during the tornado, providing him with some protection from the extreme weather conditions.
"I was just trying to stay alive," he said. "I didn't think about anything else."
The incident highlights the importance of seeking shelter in a safe location when a tornado warning is issued. While Coombes' van provided him with some protection, it's clear that the situation could have been much worse if he had not had access to the vehicle.
The National Weather Service and other emergency responders played a crucial role in responding to the tornado, with efforts focused on rescuing those trapped by the storm.
As for Coombes, his experience is one of incredible luck. While many people were injured or killed during the tornado, he managed to ride it out inside his van, thanks in part to the vehicle's protection and his own quick thinking.
"It was just a matter of time before something would go wrong," Coombes said. "I'm just grateful that I made it through alive."
The incident serves as a reminder of the dangers posed by tornadoes and the importance of being prepared for extreme weather events.
Cody Coombes, the driver, described his terrifying experience to CNN. He was able to shield himself from debris using his arms and hands, but not without being tossed around inside the van.
"I just kind of held on for dear life," Coombes said in an interview with CNN. "I don't know what I would have done if I had been thrown out."
The National Weather Service confirmed that the tornado was rated EF-3, with winds of at least 136 mph. The storm caused significant damage and destruction, with reports of homes and buildings being destroyed.
Coombes' van served as a makeshift shelter during the tornado, providing him with some protection from the extreme weather conditions.
"I was just trying to stay alive," he said. "I didn't think about anything else."
The incident highlights the importance of seeking shelter in a safe location when a tornado warning is issued. While Coombes' van provided him with some protection, it's clear that the situation could have been much worse if he had not had access to the vehicle.
The National Weather Service and other emergency responders played a crucial role in responding to the tornado, with efforts focused on rescuing those trapped by the storm.
As for Coombes, his experience is one of incredible luck. While many people were injured or killed during the tornado, he managed to ride it out inside his van, thanks in part to the vehicle's protection and his own quick thinking.
"It was just a matter of time before something would go wrong," Coombes said. "I'm just grateful that I made it through alive."
The incident serves as a reminder of the dangers posed by tornadoes and the importance of being prepared for extreme weather events.
dude, i cant even believe this guy rode out a tornado in his van! 165mph winds is wild 
. i mean id rather be safe than sorry but at the same time its impressive that he was able to hold on and survive. 
. anyway, it just goes to show how unpredictable weather can be and we need to always stay alert and take precautions when a tornado warning is issued. 
. btw, im still waiting for self driving cars to become a thing 
. I was trying to make lunch yesterday and the noodles kept getting tangled up in the microwave 
But you know what's even crazier? The fact that some people can eat an entire pizza by themselves in one sitting 
. Like, how does that happen?! 
This dude's luck is wild, right? Like seriously though, what if his van was filled with stuff or he wasn't in it? He literally just rode out this EF-3 tornado like it was a Sunday drive 
...but for real, the National Weather Service and emergency responders did their thing, so that's cool. But, I mean, have you ever thought about how they knew that van would be his safe haven? Was it an accident or something? 
being in a tornado and having a van to hide in?! 
I mean, that was straight up crazy 
but I guess it's good that his van provided some protection. I'm so grateful he made it through alive 
. We're all just hoping everyone affected by this is getting the help they need 
. anyway, kudos to coombes for making it out alive, i guess...
just think about it, winds were 165mph & he managed to hold on for dear life 
. I'm just impressed that he didn't get hurt more 
stats say 1 in 16 people die from a tornado in the US every year 
. Like, what are the chances of a person being able to shield themselves from debris with just their arms and hands? It's like, not impossible or anything 
.
, and we should all just be grateful that he made it through without major injury. Like, it's not even fair to him 
. On the other hand, I'm also kinda thinking that maybe if everyone had a van like his, they'd be able to ride out tornadoes too 
. The fact that his van provided some protection highlights the importance of being prepared for extreme weather events & having a plan B 
.
. The weather service and emergency responders did an amazing job saving lives 
. Can only imagine the fear he must have felt, just holding on for dear life 
. Hope Coombes gets counseling to deal with that trauma 
. We need more people like him who can handle extreme situations 
Just read about this guy Cody Coombes in Arkansas who rode out an EF-3 tornado in his van 
. It's always a good idea to have a safe place to go during tornado warnings, but at least Coombes' van became an unlikely shelter in his time of need