Tornadoes and Evacuating Chameleons...

[jpowell86]

National Weather Service stated that we were in an area with a Tornado Warning this evening. Of course knowing how ridiculous Texas weather can be, I spent a couple hours moving all my chameleons and other reptiles into a closet in the interior area of my house. I thought we were going to get hit for sure. Our electricity went out and transformers were blowing everywhere. I put my dog in the closet and went out to take one last look at the storm and I could see a massive tornado moving across the north side of lake ray hubbard. I posted a pic of the tornado. It was not a good shot with all the fumbling and shaking going on. It was dark, but in between the lines on the photo was the tornado. Thank God my house wasn't hit, but my heart sank when I watched this tornado rip across the adjacent city. First time I ever had to do an emergency evac on my chameleons....that was not easy let me tell you. What a crappy thing to happen right after Christmas. Texas weather is crazy!!

 

[Nicholasdeaan]

That's crazy!

 

[Pygmy chameleon]

That's wicked hope everyones okay!

 

[Beeb]

I heard about this! I hope everything is ok in the end.

 

[wodesorel]

Holy cow. Glad you're all okay!

 

[Meg4433]

So glad ur okay

 

[NickyChameleon]

So glad ur okay

Glad you're ok dude. I'm in Fort Worth, weather is stormy and a big storm is 3 miles away. Is that you?

 

[Lathis]

That's crazy. Nothing quite so severe in my personal experience, but we have retreated to the crawlspace a few times with our animals. Had to bring the Dwarf Frogs down in a pitcher, lol.

Glad you're okay.

 

[brownie64]

Wow that was a close one!!!!! Glad your ok! Crazy weather!?

 

[Matt Vanilla Gorilla]

Last summer we had to evacuate due to a fire raging through our town. Burned down 120 structures. Everyone ended up in the van and pickup, including our dogs, geckos, rabbit, tortoise and chameleons. One batch of eggs never hatched! I blame it on the fire!

I am so glad you guys are ok!!! What a challenge, proud of you!

 

[Leo Chance]

I guess I shouldn't complain about the cold here. But gad to hear you were on the ball. Good luck!

 

[jpowell86]

Thanks guys....I think I need to come up with a contingency plan for reptile evac. That was too close for comfort. All of my little ones are back in their enclosures and just fine. Went for a drive this morning to see the damage and entire apartment buildings were flattened and houses that looked as if they were picked up off their foundation were sitting randomly in other people's backyards. Mother Nature is unreal!

 

[jajeanpierre]

Thanks guys....I think I need to come up with a contingency plan for reptile evac. That was too close for comfort. All of my little ones are back in their enclosures and just fine. Went for a drive this morning to see the damage and entire apartment buildings were flattened and houses that looked as if they were picked up off their foundation were sitting randomly in other people's backyards. Mother Nature is unreal!

I have small totes--about 6" x 6" x 8"--for each chameleon with their names on it.

 

[jpowell86]

I have small totes--about 6" x 6" x 8"--for each chameleon with their names on it.

That's a stellar idea! I believe I'll have to implement that. Thanks!

 

[jajeanpierre]

That's a stellar idea! I believe I'll have to implement that. Thanks!

I lived in the Caribbean for 8 years and had quite a few hurricanes to deal with. I have solid crates for all my animals easily accessible if I ever have a risk of serious weather. One other thing I keep is a tote bag for an emergency to quickly put "stuff" I can't afford to lose or be without--things like prescription meds or important documents. After living so long in a place where hurricanes happened so frequently, I am now in the habit of just keeping things like documents I can't afford to lose in one place so I can just grab them.

Keeping enough crates, and or little totes for the chameleons (with holes in them), easily accessible and it will shorten the time you need to get to a safe place. You do not want to be rummaging in the garage or an attic looking for crates when you think maybe a tornado is heading your way, especially the ones last night that came hidden in the darkness. If you are stuck in a pinch, pillow cases will work for something big. Paper bags and a stapler to close them will work for the smaller more delicate reptiles.