A man's narrow escape from a devastating tornado has left many stunned, and one of the most remarkable stories to emerge is his decision to seek shelter in a van during the storm.
Cody Coombes was riding high in Little Rock, Arkansas when an EF-3 tornado tore through Pulaski and Lonoke counties, bringing estimated peak winds of 165 miles per hour. The disaster resulted in the loss of one life in North Little Rock and four more in Wynne.
According to Coombes, his pest control van proved to be a refuge from the fury of the storm. With its sturdy frame and reinforced roof, the vehicle was able to withstand the intense winds and debris, allowing Coombes to ride out the tornado in safety.
"I'm just glad I was in my truck when it happened," Coombes said in an interview, his voice still shaken by the experience.
The National Weather Service reported that the tornado's peak winds were among the highest in recent memory for the region. "This is a very rare and intense event," said a spokesperson for the agency.
Coombes' decision to seek shelter in his van has been hailed as a stroke of luck, and a testament to the importance of being prepared for severe weather events. His story serves as a reminder that even in the face of extreme danger, there is often a silver lining – and sometimes, it's as simple as seeking shelter where you are.
The footage of Coombes' harrowing experience has gone viral on social media, with many viewers left stunned by his bravery and resilience in the face of disaster.
Cody Coombes was riding high in Little Rock, Arkansas when an EF-3 tornado tore through Pulaski and Lonoke counties, bringing estimated peak winds of 165 miles per hour. The disaster resulted in the loss of one life in North Little Rock and four more in Wynne.
According to Coombes, his pest control van proved to be a refuge from the fury of the storm. With its sturdy frame and reinforced roof, the vehicle was able to withstand the intense winds and debris, allowing Coombes to ride out the tornado in safety.
"I'm just glad I was in my truck when it happened," Coombes said in an interview, his voice still shaken by the experience.
The National Weather Service reported that the tornado's peak winds were among the highest in recent memory for the region. "This is a very rare and intense event," said a spokesperson for the agency.
Coombes' decision to seek shelter in his van has been hailed as a stroke of luck, and a testament to the importance of being prepared for severe weather events. His story serves as a reminder that even in the face of extreme danger, there is often a silver lining – and sometimes, it's as simple as seeking shelter where you are.
The footage of Coombes' harrowing experience has gone viral on social media, with many viewers left stunned by his bravery and resilience in the face of disaster.
and then to find out someone was driving their van as shelter lol its wild how that thing held up i mean i guess thats one way to be prepared for bad weather but also kinda cool how he just used his job for insurance 
anyway its crazy how much damage those storms can do 165mph is insane
! I mean, riding out a tornado in a van? That's some crazy stuff right there! I'm glad he was prepared and had that sturdy frame to keep him safe - it's not like he just rolled the dice and hoped for the best (although, I guess you could say he did 
. I'm just glad no one else was hurt in the storm... although, I guess Cody's story does make you appreciate the little things, like having a solid roof over your head 
.
I mean seriously who expects to survive a tornado while riding around in their van? it's like something out of a movie! but for real though, the fact that his truck was sturdy enough and had a reinforced roof speaks volumes about how important it is to be prepared for extreme weather events #weatherawareness #tornadosecurity
like what else could he have done?! but seriously, this story serves as a great reminder to always prioritize your safety during severe weather events and to never underestimate the power of a well-maintained vehicle #weatherhero #codycoombes
but we can't become complacent – we still need to be vigilant and prepared for these types of disasters #climatechange #tornadorecovery
The National Weather Service said it was a super rare and intense event... yeah, no kidding! 
. and the fact that there were like 5 fatalities from this one tornado... just brutal 
. can't believe we're still living in an era where tornadoes are causing so much destruction 