"Hardest Ride Ever": Man Survives Tornado Inside His Van in Arkansas
In a heart-stopping footage, Cody Coombes is seen riding out an EF-3 tornado in his pest control van, which has become an unlikely safe haven. The National Weather Service reported that the tornado ripped through Pulaski and Lonoke counties with winds of up to 165 mph, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
Coombes, who managed to find shelter inside his vehicle just in time, recounted the terrifying experience to CNN. "I was driving down the road when I saw the tornado coming," he said. "I knew I had to get under cover as fast as possible."
As the storm raged on outside, Coombes huddled in his van, grateful for its sturdy structure that protected him from the fury of the tornado. The National Weather Service estimated the peak winds at 165 mph, which is considered an EF-3 tornado.
Tragically, one person was killed and four others injured in Wynne, a town located within the tornado's path. Coombes' harrowing experience serves as a stark reminder of the devastating power of tornadoes and the importance of seeking shelter when warned by authorities.
The footage of Coombes riding out the tornado has been viewed millions of times on social media, with many people expressing their admiration for his bravery and quick thinking in avoiding certain doom.
In a heart-stopping footage, Cody Coombes is seen riding out an EF-3 tornado in his pest control van, which has become an unlikely safe haven. The National Weather Service reported that the tornado ripped through Pulaski and Lonoke counties with winds of up to 165 mph, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
Coombes, who managed to find shelter inside his vehicle just in time, recounted the terrifying experience to CNN. "I was driving down the road when I saw the tornado coming," he said. "I knew I had to get under cover as fast as possible."
As the storm raged on outside, Coombes huddled in his van, grateful for its sturdy structure that protected him from the fury of the tornado. The National Weather Service estimated the peak winds at 165 mph, which is considered an EF-3 tornado.
Tragically, one person was killed and four others injured in Wynne, a town located within the tornado's path. Coombes' harrowing experience serves as a stark reminder of the devastating power of tornadoes and the importance of seeking shelter when warned by authorities.
The footage of Coombes riding out the tornado has been viewed millions of times on social media, with many people expressing their admiration for his bravery and quick thinking in avoiding certain doom.
I mean, seriously, how hard is it to just keep the footage short and sweet? It feels like everything is getting posted as-is, no editing or consideration for the viewer. And the comments section is just filled with generic praise and "you're so brave" vibes... I mean, sure, Cody Coombes was lucky, but let's not pretend like his experience wasn't also super stressful and traumatic. Can we have a more nuanced discussion about tornado safety and preparedness instead of just wallowing in the drama? 
, this is wild!!! I mean, can you believe someone actually survives a tornado inside their van?! 
That's insane! The guy's lucky to be alive, tbh 
. I'm not sure what was going through his mind when he saw that tornado coming - but I guess quick thinking saved his life? 
! Glad he made it out with only a few scratches, though. Tragic that more people weren't so lucky in Wynne 
. Anyway, this video is gonna be all over TikTok and Twitter soon 
I'm still trying to wrap my head around this crazy story! Cody's van turning into a safe haven is just wild 
And yeah, the destruction caused by tornadoes is heartbreaking, but it's also a reminder of the importance of being prepared and following safety guidelines. Fingers crossed that people are taking this as a wake-up call to stay safe during severe weather! 
what if the winds were even stronger? how did he know to find shelter like that? 
his van must be some kind of tornado-proof fortress 
#TornadoSurvivor #VanMan #WeatherEmergency #RescueMode
.
but like, his van became a shelter or something 
? I mean, I'm glad he made it out alive 
, but that van is literally a superhero vehicle 
. I feel bad for those people who got hurt though 
, it's just so tragic 
. Tornadoes are already crazy, but this is just crazy 
...
also can we talk about how techy this story is? the fact that there's even a camera system inside his van to record all this?! 
saving his life lol 
!