Wednesday, May 22.

It was a normal day out west, with the simmering sun blazing down ahead of summer and me going about my typical routine. But, more than 5 hours away in my hometown that same evening, an EF-2 tornado with 120 miles-per-hour winds was wreaking havoc and massive destruction.

Power lines and tree branches were down. Debris was scattered across roads. Buildings, homes and businesses that once stood tall and firm in their foundation were destroyed.

A tornado that lasted just a few minu...