Tornado survivor recounts harrowing experience riding out the storm in his van.
A harrowing encounter with a tornado has left an Arkansas man shaken but alive. Cody Coombes, who was inside his pest control van at the time of the devastating EF-3 twister that swept through Pulaski and Lonoke counties on Tuesday, shared his terrifying ordeal with CNN.
According to Coombes, he found himself in the direct path of the tornado, but thanks to his vehicle's sturdy build, it proved to be a safe haven. The National Weather Service reported that an EF-3 tornado had roared through the areas, killing one person in North Little Rock and four people in Wynne.
Coombes recounted the harrowing experience inside his van, saying he rode out the storm with incredible luck. "I was driving home from a job when I saw this massive funnel cloud bearing down on me," Coombes said in an interview. "My van is like a tank - it's built for this kind of thing."
The EF-3 tornado brought estimated peak winds of 165 mph, causing widespread destruction and chaos throughout the region.
Coombes expressed gratitude for his narrow escape and hopes that his experience can serve as a reminder to always take weather warnings seriously. "It was a close call, but I'm just grateful to be alive," Coombes said in the interview. "I want people to know that tornadoes are no joke - they're incredibly powerful and can turn everything upside down."
As the nation grapples with the aftermath of this devastating twister, Coombes' story serves as a stark reminder of the importance of staying vigilant during severe weather events.
The video footage of Coombes riding out the storm in his van has sent shockwaves on social media, with many viewers left speechless by the sheer bravery and good fortune displayed by the pest control expert.
A harrowing encounter with a tornado has left an Arkansas man shaken but alive. Cody Coombes, who was inside his pest control van at the time of the devastating EF-3 twister that swept through Pulaski and Lonoke counties on Tuesday, shared his terrifying ordeal with CNN.
According to Coombes, he found himself in the direct path of the tornado, but thanks to his vehicle's sturdy build, it proved to be a safe haven. The National Weather Service reported that an EF-3 tornado had roared through the areas, killing one person in North Little Rock and four people in Wynne.
Coombes recounted the harrowing experience inside his van, saying he rode out the storm with incredible luck. "I was driving home from a job when I saw this massive funnel cloud bearing down on me," Coombes said in an interview. "My van is like a tank - it's built for this kind of thing."
The EF-3 tornado brought estimated peak winds of 165 mph, causing widespread destruction and chaos throughout the region.
Coombes expressed gratitude for his narrow escape and hopes that his experience can serve as a reminder to always take weather warnings seriously. "It was a close call, but I'm just grateful to be alive," Coombes said in the interview. "I want people to know that tornadoes are no joke - they're incredibly powerful and can turn everything upside down."
As the nation grapples with the aftermath of this devastating twister, Coombes' story serves as a stark reminder of the importance of staying vigilant during severe weather events.
The video footage of Coombes riding out the storm in his van has sent shockwaves on social media, with many viewers left speechless by the sheer bravery and good fortune displayed by the pest control expert.
that's insane! i think its super impressive that codys van held up tho, it sounds like it really was built for this kinda thing 
coombes is literally the luckiest dude alive, i dont know how he rode out that thing without gettin hurt at all 
anyway, def make sure to check those weather warnings seriously, cant stress that enough 
. I'm glad he's alive tho, can't even imagine what he saw outside that van window 
. This is definitely making me double-check my weather apps from now on 
.
I mean, seriously though, who needs a special van to survive a tornado? Like, shouldn't the roads be designed for, you know, human survival too? 
Anyway, I'm glad he's alive and all, but let's not forget the actual destruction that happened. 
I mean, I get it, Cody Coombes is alive but what about all those people who aren't so lucky? It's crazy how fast these storms can turn everything into rubble. And the destruction is still unfolding... it's like, we need to be more prepared for these kinds of events, you know? 
We need better infrastructure, emergency response plans in place... it's not just about individual luck, it's about community resilience. 
I mean I can imagine being super scared while watching it all on the news, can you imagine riding through it in your van?! 
. And omg, the video footage is so intense, it gave me chills 
One wrong move, and you're in for the ride of your life (not in a good way). Glad he's alive to tell the tale 
. I'm so grateful that Cody Coombes made it out alive and is sharing his story to warn others about the dangers of tornadoes 
. It made me think about how we can use that kind of resilience in our everyday lives too. We don't know when disaster will strike, so being able to roll with the punches and stay calm under pressure is key 
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, I'm still trying to figure out why they don't have a 'Tornado Evac' alert option like they do for earthquakes or hurricanes 
? It's just so not fair 
. This is a nightmare for people living in tornado-prone areas 
his van is like a real life tank lol "it's built for this kind of thing" omg I need to get myself one of those 
It's always better to be safe than sorry, right? 
! i mean, can u even imagine being driving home from work and a tornado is bearing down on u? like what are the chances? 
. i'm so glad he made it out alive, but at the same time, it's crazy how close he came to not making it 
. and yeah, weather warnings are no joke, ppl should take them super seriously