22. Have you ever witnessed or experienced a fire, flood, disaster or accident? What happened, what did you do, how did you feel about it?

From: Philip Harris

In the late forties we had a hurricane or twister hit. I was on the porch and could see it coming across the field. It was the most devastating thing I have ever seen. We could see the 100 year old maple trees dropping in the front yard. Brayton Harris had gone down to the mail box to get the newspaper and he was picked up and thrown about 20 feet. We watched when H. Russell Harris' house burned down, also in the late 40s. It was a terrible sight. Peggy and Connie came over to our house and we all watched as the house burned to the ground. At that time the closest fire company was in Glens Falls. In later years Russell worked hard as Town Supervisor to get the 4 volunteer fire companies in Queensbury.

From: Connie Farrington

Fortunately I've never witnessed one close up, or if I have, I've repressed it.

From: Lois Rotella

I had to think about this question a lot. I think the disaster that comes to mind is Sept 11, 2001. I was at work when we heard about the attack. I work in midtown Manhattan. The attack took place in lower Manhattan. I walked home from work about 2 miles. It was traffic free and very quiet in NYC. That in it self was strange. When I reached 23 St I could see where the Trade Center was. All you saw was smoke. I was concerned about my Father and the family was concerned about us. We couldn't call out because the phone lines were down. The days after were we in a restricted area and had to show ID to be allowed back in. I think I am still confused about my feelings about that day. We are not the same in the City. We see police and military around the city everyday. I think I still very angry at the people who that it was a just cause. I think time will ease the feelings. I think we as a city and nation felt united like we haven't been in a long time. I hope to have never have those feeling again in my lifetime.

From: Connie Olson

Many years ago most of our main street burned down. Lost several businesses. The buildings were old and some not even open. It started from a wood stove fire in one of the buildings. Nothing was rebuilt but a bank on the spot of one of the lots.
I've just seen auto accidents on the highway, other people, the police besides medical people were already there. We don't stop then, as to many people just being there causes confusion , and are in the way. Let the pros do thier jobs.
Most of the others I've only seen on the tv not in person.

From: Jenny McMurray

Not that I remember.

From: Brenda Olszewski

I witnessed a Tornado coming in the direction of the trailer court that Jeff and I lived in, in Gulfport, Mississippi. I was pregnant with my first child,Jenny, about 7mth's along. It was raining very hard and I turned the radio on. Jeff was at the Naval base and I was home alone. I knew by the radio that it was bad outdside and that a tornado was coming. I looked out the window and saw it coming. I was so afraid!
The station I was listening to gave instructions on how to keep safe. As I was living in a mobile home I couldn't see how this could be safe, even with hurricane straps on it.
I was getting ready to go outside and lie in a ditch if I had too, because I saw the tornado coming towards the trailer court. Luckily Jeff got home as I began to panic. The tornado touched down in the field right next to us. That was scarry.

From: Joyce Eggleston

In 1960 when Wes was a baby I was holding him near the front door. I watched a tornado, not knowing what it was at the time. I made Heidi sit on the couch with her sneakers on because of the lightning. The wind followed the Hudson River from the mountains taking down many camps. We didn't get the full force, thank goodness.

In 1964 I witnessed the Great Ice Storm. It was in November. It rained so hard and froze everything. You could hear the branches falling all night off the trees. We lost a few trees in our yard. We had no power, so we had to go to my mother and fathers house and stay for two or three days. Heidi and Wes thought it was great. We even brought the dog Chico. She slept upstairs with us. When daddy came upstairs to check on us, Chico growled at him and wouldn't let him come near us.

Jerry had to stay home in case the power came on.

From: Heidi MacDuff

I can't remember witnessing an accident off hand. I can only remember a time when I was about 10 years old, mom was driving the back roads to Fort Edward it was dark and you couldn't see well. She drove upon a herd of cattle that had gotten loose and they were wandering in the middle of the road. I was so scared and worried that the cattle would be killed. I stressed about it for many days, even though mom called the authorities to report the incident. I know any accident or disaster would be very traumatizing for me.