A harrowing experience for one Arkansas man who rode out a devastating tornado in the safety of his pest control van. On Tuesday, a powerful EF-3 tornado tore through Pulaski and Lonoke counties in Little Rock, causing widespread destruction and claiming at least five lives.
Cody Coombes, the lucky survivor, recounted his terrifying ordeal from inside the reinforced metal box that would become his shield against the fury of nature. The National Weather Service confirmed that peak winds reached an astonishing 165 mph, sending debris flying through the air like deadly projectiles.
"It was intense," Coombes told CNN in a rare interview. "The roar was deafening, and I could feel the van shaking violently as it rode out the storm."
Coombes' decision to seek shelter in his vehicle proved to be a lifesaver. The tornado ripped through nearby neighborhoods, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake.
One fatality occurred in North Little Rock, while four people were killed in Wynne. Several others are reported missing or injured, with more expected as the full extent of the disaster becomes clear.
As emergency services scramble to respond to the crisis, one thing is certain: this tornado has left a lasting impact on the community.
The footage obtained by CNN shows the devastating effects of the storm, with buildings reduced to rubble and cars tossed about like toys. Coombes' account serves as a stark reminder of the importance of seeking shelter during severe weather events.
"We will do everything in our power to support those affected by this disaster," said a spokesperson for the American Red Cross. "We urge anyone who may have been impacted to come forward and seek help."
As the people of Little Rock begin the long process of recovery, one thing is clear: they will never forget the terror they faced on Tuesday as a powerful tornado tore through their city.
Cody Coombes, the lucky survivor, recounted his terrifying ordeal from inside the reinforced metal box that would become his shield against the fury of nature. The National Weather Service confirmed that peak winds reached an astonishing 165 mph, sending debris flying through the air like deadly projectiles.
"It was intense," Coombes told CNN in a rare interview. "The roar was deafening, and I could feel the van shaking violently as it rode out the storm."
Coombes' decision to seek shelter in his vehicle proved to be a lifesaver. The tornado ripped through nearby neighborhoods, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake.
One fatality occurred in North Little Rock, while four people were killed in Wynne. Several others are reported missing or injured, with more expected as the full extent of the disaster becomes clear.
As emergency services scramble to respond to the crisis, one thing is certain: this tornado has left a lasting impact on the community.
The footage obtained by CNN shows the devastating effects of the storm, with buildings reduced to rubble and cars tossed about like toys. Coombes' account serves as a stark reminder of the importance of seeking shelter during severe weather events.
"We will do everything in our power to support those affected by this disaster," said a spokesperson for the American Red Cross. "We urge anyone who may have been impacted to come forward and seek help."
As the people of Little Rock begin the long process of recovery, one thing is clear: they will never forget the terror they faced on Tuesday as a powerful tornado tore through their city.
just saw this crazy video of a guy riding out a tornado in his pest control van and I'm like... what even is that?! 
Cody Coombes' van must've been built to withstand some serious stuff, lol. And 165 mph? That's wild! 
Glad he made it out alive tho, can't imagine what it'd be like to be stuck in a metal box with no escape. 
Hope the community gets back on their feet soon, though 
his pest control van is literally like a tank, lololol! 
the footage of the destruction is heart-wrenching, though. My heart goes out to all those who lost loved ones or got hurt 
the American Red Cross is doing their part, but it's gonna take time for Little Rock to recover 
we should all be sending our positive vibes and support to those in need 
i mean, who knew vans could be so effective against tornadoes? 
anyway, so glad he made it out alive and that he's sharing his story to spread awareness about seeking shelter during severe weather events 
that's just really important for everyone to know 
the footage from CNN is insane too... buildings reduced to rubble and cars tossed around like they're toys 
what a devastating disaster for Little Rock 
Cody Coombes got super lucky riding out the storm in his van 
its crazy how metal can be your best friend during a disaster 
. And poor people who lost their lives, RIP 
. It's heartbreaking to see the destruction and devastation caused by this tornado 
. Hope the community comes together to support each other during this tough time 
... it's just crazy! Cody Coombes' story is like something out of a movie, and it's a huge relief that he made it out alive. I'm sure it was super scary for him, but at least he had the sense to seek shelter in his vehicle. It's a good lesson for everyone: if you hear a tornado warning, don't hesitate to find a safe place to hide. The footage from Tuesday is just devastating - all those people lost their homes and lives... 
it's heartbreaking. I hope the community of Little Rock can come together and support each other during this tough time 
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The footage of the destruction is just heartbreaking, it's like nothing I've ever seen before. 
And the footage from the storm... wow, it's like something out of a disaster movie. So many people lost their lives, too. My heart goes out to the folks affected by this tragedy. 
what's crazy about this story tho is that Cody Coombes was literally driving for pest control and just happened to have this metal box thingy in him, like it was just his trusty ol' sidekick 
idk how many ppl woulda been lucky enough to find shelter in the middle of a tornado but kudos to Coombs for being super resourceful 
buildings lookin like they been through a war... hope everyone's doin alright and gettin the help they need 
. Ugh, this is just heartbreaking 
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I mean, can you believe this guy just happened to have a reinforced metal pest control van in his backyard? It's like he was begging the universe for a reason to live. Anyway, seriously though, 165 mph is insane 
to protect him 
like crazy! 
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