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8:33 a.m. • 5-24-13

Weather Forecast for Raleigh

  • Today: Partly Cloudy.
    • Hi: 72° F
  • Sat: Clear.
    • Hi: 72° F
  • Sun: Partly Cloudy.
    • Hi: 75° F

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Published: 2011-04-20 20:53:00
Updated: 2011-04-21 09:36:48

Apex boy captures tornado on camera


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An Apex boy traveling with his family through Harnett County on Saturday captured video of one of the tornadoes that caused devastation across much of eastern North Carolina.

Michael Tursam, 12, and his family were on their way to Florida when they spotted the tornado near Interstate 95 in Dunn.

"As we passed (under) an overpass, we saw the dark clouds and what appeared to be a tornado on the southwest side of I-95," the boy's father, Ken Tursam, said in an e-mail to WRAL News on Wednesday. "There was no place to pull off of the road due to the traffic."  

Ken Tursam said the video might make it look like they are storm chasers, but that isn't the case.

"I can assure you all, (what) we were trying to do is get out of the path of the storm. I sped up, hoping to get past the worst of it," he said.

Michael's parents and 9-year-old brother, Noah, were not injured.

The family's vehicle had $8,800 in damage, including shattered windows and a hole in the front bumper due to rocks.

“I would have continued to video the storm, but Mom and Dad told me to get down. I thought about holding my arm up and continuing to video, but I was afraid something would come through the windshield and take off my arm, and I knew I would need it," Michael said in an e-mail.


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LOL, speaking of which, there is now a story about a man who took a wild ride in a bathtub from his second story apartment. I'm glad he was o.k. but I would have hated to be on the second floor! Yikes!

from FEMA: A vehicle, trailer, or mobile home: Get out immediately and go to the lowest floor of a sturdy, nearby building or a storm shelter. Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes. Outside with no shelter: Lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands. Be aware of the potential for flooding.

Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You are safer in a low, flat location.

Never try to outrun a tornado in urban or congested areas in a car or truck. Instead, leave the vehicle immediately for safe shelter.

Watch out for flying debris. Flying debris from tornadoes causes most fatalities and injuries

How about let's talk about YOUR blown forecast, DrierThanAuntGertrude. Do you remember this post from the original weather forecast made predicting the severe weather that was coming last Saturday? And you STILL have the audacity to continue to criticize Greg Fishel's forecasts. You must be an absolutly miserable individual with NO LIFE to live to criticize weather forecasts on a daily basis. BTW...I'm sure there are more than a few people that wish THEIR loved one's were "still here" as you put it. dontgetmestarted

Ditto!

Sorry about the double post before. The first one didn't show up and I thought the "police" had nixed it. LOL! Sometimes they don't always seem to have to have a reason.

If it makes you fell any better, you could always fill the tub with pillows and strap yourself in with those safety straps used for hauling stuff in the back of your truck. I'm just sayin'...BTW...There was a family that survived in their tub when their home was demolished. How are you supposed to protect yourself from flying debris (projectiles like tree limbs, timber,etc...) that could go through the many windows in your vehicle not to mention the glass that enevitably shatters violently and not just "spider webs" like when simply hit by something?

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