By Staff
DAMAGED Arthur Moore stands outside his home at 1438 46th Ave. after winds blew a large tree into the back of the house Thursday. Photo by Paula Merritt/The Meridian Star
By Sheila Blackmon and Fredie Carmichael/The Meridian Star
Nov. 30, 2001
When a large tree crashed into the back side of their two-story brick home Thursday, Arthur Moore and his son, Kevin, found new meaning in the phrase, timing is everything.'
They were home early. The Meridian public schools let students out at noon because of severe thunderstorms that were passing through East Mississippi.
The pine tree fell across the back portion of the house. Beneath it, the carport had caved in on top of Moore's pick-up and van.
Moore hurried downstairs to find Kevin, 12, somewhat frightened but uninjured. The house, located at 1438 46th Ave., is another story. Moore didn't know the extent of the damage, but said he had not noticed anything on the inside.
Escaping the damage
A front passed through East Mississippi around lunchtime, prompting several tornado warnings. No tornadoes touched down, however, according to Clarence Butler, director of the Lauderdale County Emergency Management Agency.
High winds blew several trees down, and some streets were flooded. But overall, the area escaped this week's second round of storms without much damage.
Moore is just glad he and his son escaped the weather unharmed. He planned to call his insurance agent. Then he and his co-workers at Rusty Rushing Tree Experts were going to remove the tree.
But these are "just material possessions," he said. "I'm just glad my son and I weren't hurt. It just happened so quick, and then it would have been too late."
Downed trees
Butler said his agency received reports of six downed trees in Lauderdale County.
One fell on 50th Street at the home of Ed and Eleanor Reynolds, who were watching news coverage of the weather when the storms blew through around 12:30 p.m.
Reynolds, who has lived in Meridian for 32 years, said he's just glad the tree didn't cause any damage.
Sheila Blackmon and Fredie Carmichael are staff writers for The Meridian Star. Call Blackmon at 693-1551, ext. 3275, or e-mail her at sblackmon@themeridianstar.co. Call Carmichael at 693-1551, ext. 3228, or e-mail him at fcarmichael@themeridianstar.com.