NUFORC Sighting 30341

Occurred: 2003-07-23 06:30 Local
Reported: 2003-07-24 14:47 Pacific
Duration: Unknown
No of observers: 1

Location: Memphis (near), TN, USA

Shape: Unknown

Possible sighting associated with a strong storm

Beginning at approximately 6:30 a.m. on Monday, July 23, Memphis, Tennessee, and its surrounding areas were hit with a storm which packed winds estimated to be in excess of 100 mph. As you can imagine, the damage done to the city was severe and extensive. At this writing, over a quarter-million homes and businesses are still without power, and there is much wreckage and many damaged buildings throught the city.

When our power went out, I switched on our battery-operated radio and listened to one of the few stations on the air, a sports-talk call-in show. Of course, no one was talking about sports. People were calling in to tell which streets and highways were blocked by debris, etc.

I listened for a while then became preoccupied with completing my morning routine without benefit of electricity when I became aware of a caller who was reporting "something strange," that he'd seen. The caller sounded like a mature man, with a rural accent. He seemed very concerned that no one would believe him. The only description that I caught was that he had spotted one of "them circle-crop things" up in the air, and he never believed in them before, but he swore he saw it, etc. He sounded completely sincere, and I must add, he was met with a stoney silence by the show's host, who offered no comment at all. The host and co-host merely chuckled and went on to the next caller.

I'm reporting this for a couple of reasons. First of all, Peter has mentioned that sightings are often associated with storms. Secondly, I wonder if anyone else heard this man's report and could offer more details about what the man said. (It may seem absurd to refer to a UFO as a "circle-crop thing," but he sounded excited and perhaps even a bit upset by what he'd seen.) If anyone else heard the report or saw something UFO-related before, during, or after the Memphis storm, I hope they will report it on this site.

Thank you very much for the good work you do.

Posted 2003-08-01