A harrowing tale of survival unfolded in Little Rock, Arkansas, when a man's quick thinking and the protection of his vehicle proved to be the difference between life and death. Cody Coombes, who was driving home from work on a stormy evening, found himself face-to-face with an EF-3 tornado that tore through Pulaski and Lonoke counties.
According to eyewitnesses, the tornado's estimated peak winds reached speeds of 165 mph, causing widespread destruction and claiming one life in North Little Rock and four more in Wynne. Coombes, however, narrowly escaped becoming another victim when he pulled into a parking lot at the last minute, slamming on the brakes just as the tornado was about to hit.
As fate would have it, Coombes had parked his pest control van in a secure location, which provided him with some protection from the storm. He recounted to CNN that the vehicle's metal body helped shield him from the intense winds and debris that were tearing through the area.
Coombes said he watched in horror as the tornado ravaged the landscape, seeing trees uprooted, power lines snapped, and buildings reduced to rubble. "It was like something out of a movie," he told CNN. "I've never seen anything like it."
Miraculously, Coombes emerged from the ordeal unscathed, his van intact but battered by the storm. The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the power of nature and the importance of being prepared for extreme weather events.
The National Weather Service has issued warnings about the dangers of EF-3 tornadoes, which can cause significant damage and loss of life. As the country continues to face an increased frequency of severe storms, it's crucial that residents take necessary precautions to stay safe.
Coombes' harrowing experience is a stark reminder that even in the most unexpected moments, quick thinking and a little bit of luck can be the difference between disaster and survival.
According to eyewitnesses, the tornado's estimated peak winds reached speeds of 165 mph, causing widespread destruction and claiming one life in North Little Rock and four more in Wynne. Coombes, however, narrowly escaped becoming another victim when he pulled into a parking lot at the last minute, slamming on the brakes just as the tornado was about to hit.
As fate would have it, Coombes had parked his pest control van in a secure location, which provided him with some protection from the storm. He recounted to CNN that the vehicle's metal body helped shield him from the intense winds and debris that were tearing through the area.
Coombes said he watched in horror as the tornado ravaged the landscape, seeing trees uprooted, power lines snapped, and buildings reduced to rubble. "It was like something out of a movie," he told CNN. "I've never seen anything like it."
Miraculously, Coombes emerged from the ordeal unscathed, his van intact but battered by the storm. The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the power of nature and the importance of being prepared for extreme weather events.
The National Weather Service has issued warnings about the dangers of EF-3 tornadoes, which can cause significant damage and loss of life. As the country continues to face an increased frequency of severe storms, it's crucial that residents take necessary precautions to stay safe.
Coombes' harrowing experience is a stark reminder that even in the most unexpected moments, quick thinking and a little bit of luck can be the difference between disaster and survival.
I'm still shaking my head after reading this story about Cody Coombes narrowly escaping a EF-3 tornado. 165 mph winds are insane! 
I mean, who expects to see trees uprooted and power lines snapped in real life? It's like something from a horror movie. 
The fact that his van provided some protection is crazy, though - metal can't block out the full force of nature, but it was definitely a lifesaver in this case.
It's crazy how quickly things can change, and this story is definitely one for the books! 
. its wild how quickly things can turn sour & how lucky he was to have had his van parked somewhere safe 
. we need to be more prepared for these kinds of storms, esp in arkansas where they're so common 
just a heads up from someone who's always worried about the weather 
. I'm glad he was okay tho, his van got smashed up pretty bad tho 
We need to be prepared and know what to do when a tornado warning is issued. I mean, this guy was able to make it out alive because he had quick thinking and good instincts - but not everyone will be so lucky.
It just goes to show how powerful tornadoes can be, and how we need to take steps to protect ourselves and our communities from them.
. On one hand, it's terrifying to think about EF-3 tornadoes, but on the other hand, Coombes' story shows us that sometimes quick thinking can make all the difference 
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what if he hadn't pulled over when he did?? 
And what's with the whole "vehicle provided protection" thing? That's just basic common sense - if you're driving through a storm, you park your van in a safe spot! 
[Image of a tree being uprooted by a strong wind]
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