NORMAN, OK -- At least five people have died and around 50 injured eight of them seriously, as a result of a series tornadoes that devastated several areas of the U.S. state of Oklahoma, according to local authorities. The tornado destroyed a large number of houses and overturned many of the vehicles, including articulated trucks. It also uprooted trees, utility poles and street furniture.
The Wilder family may be just one of the luckier ones. The Wilder's just made it to their shelter when the first twister hit. After hearing a thud on their shelter door they found that their exit was blocked. A few minutes later after another tremendous roar from a second passing tornado was heard the debris on their door was apparently cleared and they managed to escape their shelter. What they saw astounded them. Their family house of three decades was completely missing and another seemingly unharmed house was sitting full on its old foundation.
George Wilder, the homeowner admitted that he was incredulous at the turn of events. He said, "When we escaped to the shelter I was mentally prepared to lose everything. You can image that it was a double shock to see the old homestead gone and like in the 'Wizard of Oz' a new one transported in its place. It even has an extra bedroom and bath which is great for Sharon, my younger daughter who shares a bedroom with my two rambunctious sons.
Our old house number was 45. The house number on the new one is 145. My son Tommy just pried off the '1.' All we have to do is reconnect the plumbing and electric which my brother-in-law can do for us. We were the lucky ones alright. God has blessed this family tonight."
Sheriff's deputies are in the process of trying to locate the actual owners of the Wilder's new home. If they cannot locate them, then the Wilder's can keep the new one they said.
