Severe Weather Outbreak, Day 2 (OK TX KS MO MI for starters) - Moore, OK devastation

[dirtboy]

Tornado warnings up in Oklahoma. Watches in TX, OK, KS, MO, far NW Arkansas.

[caww]

It was reported the school was built in the 60’s. Also that many of the students had been moved to a nearby church.....makes you wonder if they didn’t have time to move them all as hoped for. We will know in time...and how many students were in the school this day.

My take is they all did what could be done under the circumstances and what they had.

Update:..

51 dead ...21 children from Fox interview.

40 more in transport to hospital.

via Fox

[BuckeyeTexan]

I’ve never seen anything like that signature. It’s chilling just watching it on radar.

[caww]

Interviewed individual was saying that even though they were in an underground concrete shelter....the force of the tornado was ripping at the door allowing debrie to enter the shelter, and hitting them, as they hung onto the door...

I think none are in a position to judge how people prepared or handled this storm....for ‘everyone’ who went through it was all about surviving no matter how the picture might be painted by those who didn’t.

[caww]

Yes, I found it fasinating...it’s the only video I’ve seen yet that has it condensed into a minute...but really gives an amazing take...it looks like it was taken from a plane as well.

I also saw a picture taken of the cell from an airplane window on ‘top’ of it.

It’s really quite amazing the photos and videos that were taken of this particular tornado. I still get the chills seeing it’s rotation and how ‘violent’ it was.

[DJlaysitup]

Interviewed individual was saying that even though they were in an underground concrete shelter....the force of the tornado was ripping at the door allowing debrie to enter the shelter, and hitting them, as they hung onto the door...

Yeah - I've lived through some heavy weather - but nothing like this. Even if you have a full basement you still have to get under the stairs - or better - have a dugout.

[caww]

....”We keep an axe and a sledge hammer there too. Just in case we have to hack our way out”.....

Good thinking ahead like that.

Stay safe and let’s hope you don’t have to go through more than rain and wind.

[exhaustedmomma]

I’m on channel 4 and they are passing along messages from kids in the hosptial looking for parents, talking with red cross where supplies can be had, etc.

Talking about the “refugees” (10,000+) just walking to... somewhere.... I think the only way to handle that is for folks that can, with undamaged homes invite folks in. I guess I would favor those with small kids, and perhaps still sleep with one eye open. But blankets and pads on the living room floor, sharing some food and water for a night or two until roads open up, etc.

I heard/saw that too. One of my sons told me he did too. He said he saw clip of the people walking to ????, but he wasn't sure there were "10,000". Now, I can't find the story anywhere. I was trying to follow up on it. All those people whose homes were destroyed had to go someplace. I also heard that the University of Oklahoma opened its doors as a shelter; but how would they get there? I haven't seen the first bus loading people off to anywhere. The cars in Moore appear to be a mangled mess. Where are all those displaced people? What happened to the exodus of refugees?

[DJlaysitup]

There is a possibility that this was a bigger storm than: The Great Tri-State Tornado of Wednesday, March 18, 1925, is the deadliest tornado in U.S. history. Inflicting 695 fatalities,[2] the tornado killed more than twice as many as the second deadliest, the 1840 Great Natchez Tornado. The continuous ≥219 mile (≥352 km) track left by the tornado was the longest ever recorded in the world: the tornado crossed from southeastern Missouri, through southern Illinois, then into southwestern Indiana. Although not officially rated by NOAA, it is recognized by most experts (such as Tom Grazulis) as an F5 tornado, the maximum damage rating issued on the Fujita scale...

[caww]

Remembering this was a F5 Tornado is important in how people view those who went through this. .... it was a wicked beast of a thing....ripping, tearing and drilling itself against everything in it’s path.

I have no doubt those living in Oklahoma, and accustomed to Tornado warnings, could not have anticipated it would be this bad. Very sad for all there...and the death rate increases.

[caww]

Wow! And in 1925 the strength of Buildings and Homes were much less.

I recall hearing this one tracked over 60 square miles....but I don’t think we have all the final reports yet either.

[greeneyes]

We are just under thunderstorm watch, so I am not too worried, but in case things change while I’m asleep, I’ll still be sleeping in the basement.

[DJlaysitup]

Wow! And in 1925 the strength of Buildings and Homes were much less.

Yes (not to get off topic from the current terrible deal)...but if the Tri-State hit today in exactly the same area (without warning which thank heavens we have) it would kill 10,000....if it came a bit north and hit St.Louis, East Saint Louis, and Collinsville without warning it would kill 100,000.

[DJlaysitup]

Again O.T. - the Tri-State tornado of 1925 was responsible for portions of railroad tracks (the iron rails) from Southern Illinois - being found in Indiana (across the river). They didn’t have any markings to track them with but they just asked around as far as who was missing railroad tracks...and nobody was in Indiana.

[caww]

Just keep safe..these tornados come quick once they get rolling.

[greeneyes]

Well aware, always take precautions.

[caww]

I’m up here in Western Pa. next three days expecting rain storms here and that’s it. But it rains here alot. Heard last year this area gets more rain then the state of Washington! I believe it!

[greeneyes]

I am in Missouri. Our town has been hit often enough that they call us tornado alley. It’s also on the New Madrid fault line. Felt the 3.0 quake we had a while back, but no damage.

That’s probably the biggest thing that we are not as prepared as I would like, but it’s kinda hard to retro fit a house for earthquakes.

Wind is picking up again, I am going to sign off now. Stay safe.

[caww]

Injured family walks with their children...

http://www.tulsaworld.com/multimedia/slideshow.aspx/Moore_Tornado/1483

Horse rescued from rubble...

http://www.tulsaworld.com/multimedia/slideshow.aspx/Moore_Tornado/1483

Newborn Kittens rescued....

http://www.tulsaworld.com/multimedia/slideshow.aspx/Moore_Tornado/1483

Additional 32 sideshow..... touching photos....children rescued....

http://www.tulsaworld.com/multimedia/slideshow.aspx/Moore_Tornado/1483

[caww]

Ok...BE Safe....and sign in tomorrow so we know you’re still ok.

[IamConservative]

We couldn’t see a darn thing until the lighting struck.

In a strange twist of fate, I found myself evacuating to my basement shelter at 3:00 AM last night with the tornado siren blaring. I did look out. Couldn't see squat with trees, howling wind and sheets of rain. It was the leading wall edge w/ no lightening yet. No tornado touched down, but some of the Bradford Pears were snapped off and other limbs snapped.