Odessa Woman Speaks On Family Affected By Russian Meteor Hit
By: Marianne Elisak
Updated: February 19, 2013
ODESSA --- Only days after the meteor hit Chelyabinsk, Russia, residents are struggling to return to normal life.
Some witnesses in Russia say the sonic boom sounded like the start of war, leaving people with rattled nerves.
Tatyna Donelow has been working in Odessa since 2011 but is originally from Chelyabinsk, Russia.
Donelow says that her brother Alex, his wife Svetlana, and their two boys, Ilia and Arakadi all experienced the meteor's hit and say that it is something that they will never forget.
On February 15th, Donelow turned on the news and was shocked to find out that her home town had been struck by the space rock. She immediately called her brother but says was unable to get through because cell phone service and electricity had been down for several hours.
"It was a very difficult few hours" says Donelow.
Finally Donelow was able to reach her brother who says that he saw the meteorite out of the corner of his eye.
"It was a very bright explosion" says Donelow "nobody knew it was a meteorite".
Donelow says that her brother thought the loud boom came from military planes, and his wife thought it was a delivery truck that struck the side of her work building.
Now knowing that her family and loved ones in Russia are safe, Donelow says that it is an experience that she will not take lightly.
"Nature has so much power"says Donelow "it can just erase you from the earth in one second".
Some witnesses in Russia say the sonic boom sounded like the start of war, leaving people with rattled nerves.
Tatyna Donelow has been working in Odessa since 2011 but is originally from Chelyabinsk, Russia.
Donelow says that her brother Alex, his wife Svetlana, and their two boys, Ilia and Arakadi all experienced the meteor's hit and say that it is something that they will never forget.
On February 15th, Donelow turned on the news and was shocked to find out that her home town had been struck by the space rock. She immediately called her brother but says was unable to get through because cell phone service and electricity had been down for several hours.
"It was a very difficult few hours" says Donelow.
Finally Donelow was able to reach her brother who says that he saw the meteorite out of the corner of his eye.
"It was a very bright explosion" says Donelow "nobody knew it was a meteorite".
Donelow says that her brother thought the loud boom came from military planes, and his wife thought it was a delivery truck that struck the side of her work building.
Now knowing that her family and loved ones in Russia are safe, Donelow says that it is an experience that she will not take lightly.
"Nature has so much power"says Donelow "it can just erase you from the earth in one second".
