Crazy Days and Nights: Oklahoma

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Oklahoma

My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I don't think I have ever seen a natural disaster at quite this level.

117 comments:

J Ruth said...: Best wishes to our OK readers; 6:09 AM
MISCH said...: awful....; 6:10 AM
auntliddy said...: Best wishes for all Oklahomaians. I hope you reunite with all your loved ones.; 6:12 AM
Charlotte. said...: Love and light to everyone affected. Xx; 6:15 AM
StewMcG said...: Love, peace and light to all affected by this tragedy.; 6:17 AM
NomNom83 said...: One way to help:

text REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10 to American Red Cross Disaster Relief

http://www.redcross.org/support/donating-fundraising/donations/text-messaging; 6:19 AM
greenmountaingal said...: Sending love and prayers to everyone affected.; 6:19 AM
Meanie Rhysie said...: My heart hurts seeing those pictures. Sending peace, light & love to all those affected.; 6:24 AM
Momster said...: I have driven thru Moore countless times. It's close to Norman, where I have one kid that's attended OU. My other kid starts there in the fall. All those children at that school--terrible. Why schools in these high-prone areas don't have some kind of safe room I don't know.

Hope Frufra is okay--she lives in the Edmund area, I think, that had some damage a few days ago.

The death toll stands at 51, but is expected to climb to close to 100.; 6:33 AM
Meanie Rhysie said...: @Momster: Frufra is okay!!; 6:35 AM
NapAssasin said...: I live in the STL and Joplin high school's graduation was one year ago today. There are many, many benefits of living in te Midwest. I love it here. But tornado season is the most frightening part of the year and it never gets less severe. Terrible, terrible, terrible. I'm so sorry Oklahoma. We will pray for you.; 6:37 AM
NateM said...: OOOOOOOK-LAHOMA Where the wind goes sweeping down the plains!

...oh wait; 6:37 AM
NateM said...: OOOOOOOK-LAHOMA Where the wind goes sweeping down the plains!

...oh wait; 6:37 AM
85134943 said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 6:40 AM
Oopsy_Daisy said...: Some happy in all of the sad: Ederly woman details what happened; 6:40 AM
Unknown said...: Don't forget that you can donate blood, that is always a help to someone.; 6:41 AM
SusanB said...: Prayers for all in Oklahoma. I was watching cable news and they showed the tornado hitting (by helicopter) - you could tell that people were going to die. Then from the helicopter you could see people running to help, and running to each other to be reunited. Just had to sit there and cry - it was so moving. The pictures from the air show the devastation much better than pics from the ground.; 6:43 AM
Lulu G said...: Just a personal thing, if you want to donate, please consider alternatives to Red Cross such as a local church or the Salvation Army. I am sorry to say that I have lived thru a bad hurricane and the Red Cross is not the most helpful, nor do your donations go where you think they will.

From my experience, Salvation Army is awesome. Unbelievably so, they stayed for months and months after helping out with food distribution, washing machines, lots of things. Red Cross handed out some kits with toothbrushes and left.

I know it's easy to donate to the Red Cross, but sometimes doing the better thing requires a tad bit more effort.; 6:52 AM
Jennifer H. said...: I'm lucky. I'm in the Tulsa area, in the NE part of the state. Not much storm-wise has happened here (knock on wood). Watching the coverage of Moore, I'm wondering how many of those people also lost their home to the May 3rd tornado in 1999. I don't think I'd want to live there anymore.

I am bracing myself for updated casuallty numbers; only going to get worse.; 6:53 AM
StewMcG said...: For those in OKC, Google has set up a crisis site: http://google.org/crisismap/2013-oklahoma-tornado (sorry, don't know how to create a link)

You can log yourself in as "safe and sound", access help (Red Cross), track weather, etc.; 7:04 AM
libby said...: OopsyDaisy---I was just coming to post the same thing, but mine can't click (I'm too dumb).

http://gawker.com/oklahoma-tornado-survivor-finds-missing-dog-during-live-509025167; 7:07 AM
Robert said...: This was/is horrendous, like something straight out of a big-budget Hollywood disaster epic, only real.; 7:07 AM
8====D KermitGossnellKnobjob said...: Best wishes for OK and its people.; 7:14 AM
Momster said...: Hey Jennifer H, I live in NE OK as well.

TY, Ms. KillJoy! Glad she's okay.; 7:18 AM
Gayeld said...: I really want to make some snarky remark about pissing off Halle Barry, but this is so awful and my heart just bleeds for the people effected by this.; 7:32 AM
DewieTheBear said...: I'm not really a kid person but I cried thinking about those kids in the school.

Today needs an unending kitty snuggle.; 7:33 AM
libby said...: Seen this on FB?

Footage before going into the cellar...

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151579672668279

Footage coming out:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151579876113279

What's so amazing in all these videos is that everyone is so thankful and not bitter that their whole life has been reduced to splinters. Their inner strength is just incredible to me.; 7:35 AM
Leah said...: I have to agree with Lulu - Red Cross is not the best way to go. Find a local OK group to donate to.; 7:36 AM
MadLyb said...: I saw pictures of the devastation this morning. Unbelievable. Just unbelievable. :( Donating whatever we can to the Red Cross will help towards recovery for those who've lost their homes and material possessions. Donating to the general fund ensures monies aren't overflowing for one disaster and scarce for another.

My heart hurts for those who've lost their loved ones and hopes they will find peace.; 7:37 AM
MadLyb said...: The Red Cross is wonderful - I can attest to this personally.; 7:39 AM
crila16 said...: Wow...these poor people. My heart is breaking for all of them, especially those who have lost family and friends.; 7:39 AM
MrsAmiss said...: Thoughts and prayers going to all out there. Oklahomans are a tough bunch and my heart goes out to all of them. Prayers to the families that lost a loved one or child.; 7:41 AM
MadLyb said...: Sorry - one more. If you don't like the Red Cross, donating to local church organizations, especially Catholic Services (I'm an atheist) is a great way to go as well. Catholic Services will help anyone in need, regardless of their affiliation.; 7:43 AM
DewieTheBear said...: They do need blood though, no? ARC is the standard-bearer for drives if you are qualified to give.; 7:51 AM
amused bush said...: My heart and prayers go out to those in Moore and Newcastle, and all of those effected in OK!

Regardless of what organization you donate to, just do some homework to make sure they are legitimate. At times like these, unfortunately, scammers come out of the woodwork.

PS - for those who have had bad experiences with the Red Cross, as a Res Cross volunteer, I want to personally apologize. We are there to serve those in need, not cause more pain.; 7:55 AM
Tempestuous Grape said...: AMEN to Lulu!!!; 7:57 AM
Angela said...: Yes Lulu is right, during the tornados that ripped through KY & OH the RC did very little directly for anyone, they were even charging for bottles of water that my sisters and I brought to the to distribute.; 8:00 AM
__-__=__ said...: Agree with Lulu. Salvation Army is awesome. Good luck to all in OK. Hope this is the end of tornado season this year.; 8:15 AM
Unknown said...: I live in Oklahoma and I can honestly say last night was terrifying.
I'm safe, and so is my husband and all animals.
Love, luck & light to all those not so lucky.; 8:19 AM
Bacon Ranch said...: Some groups to consider donating to:

The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army has jumped into action. It's in multiple locations throughout cities in Oklahoma providing food, hydration and emotional support to first responders and storm survivors. You can contribute to the Salvation Army by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769), online on their website, by texting "STORM" to 80888 to make an automatic $10 donation or by mail:

The Salvation Army
PO Box 12600
Oklahoma City, OK 73157

Feeding America

Feeding America is responding by providing food, water and supplies to the residents of the devastated towns in Oklahoma. The group will continue to assess the need on the ground for more assistance as recovery efforts continue.

Samaritan's Purse

Samaritan's Purse deployed a group of staff members to travel from its North Carolina headquarters to head to Oklahoma with a Disaster Relief Unit. The unit is a tractor trailer stocked with emergency supplies and equipment.

AmeriCares

Global health and disaster relief nonprofit AmeriCares is also mobilizing a team to help in Oklahoma. Its emergency response team is headed to the region to coordinate deliveries of relief supplies and medical aid for survivors. The team is expected to arrive by morning.

Team Rubicon

Team Rubicon, a group of military veterans who respond to disaster, have issued the call to members and is heading to the region. By Tuesday morning, initial assessment teams will be on the ground, and they will then mobilize a full response to help the people affected by these storms.; 8:20 AM
Sarita Bonita said...: Praying for you, OK!; 8:30 AM
B626 said...: All school buses should have seat belts-hell, we get tickets $$$ if we don't wear one. And all public schools should at least have a decent aunty em storm shelter.
Does anyone relly believe hallways are that safe??; 8:32 AM
Housey said...: Thanks for the tips on where to donate, esp. mentioning local churches. I'm Episcopalian, so my go-to is usually the local diocese-- bishops usually have discretionary needs funds where he/she can just write a check and off it goes to where it's needed most.; 8:35 AM
L said...: prayers and thoughts for all in OK.. what a tragedy; 8:35 AM
All about Eve said...: I've been watching the coverage on the news all morning and its heartbreaking. My heart goes out to everyone affected specially the little children in the school.; 8:41 AM
Jennifer H. said...: Howdy, neighbor!; 8:48 AM
thatfunnygirl said...: I live in Norman which is south of Moore. The IT guy for our clinic lost his home. One of his daughter's was at the school where many are still trapped but she made it out. I just have no words for what happened yesterday. My heart goes out to the parents that still don't know where their children are.; 8:49 AM
Unknown said...: I was traveling thru OKC on May 3, 1999. The main tornado that night broke the wind machine at 316 mph, so no telling how high the winds got. This one looks just as bad. God bless them all.

Gotta add my props to the Salvation Army. The Red Cross charged for our doughnuts and coffee after Hurricane Hugo.

And I know many of you are atheists, but donations to the local churches, especially the Baptists, get help out the quickest...not because they are better people but because they are right there and have deep ties to the community.

I'd also like to recommend Team Rubicon, a group of ex-Vets who have formed a company to help in these sorts of disaster. Great people doing amazing work:

http://teamrubiconusa.org/

And sorry for the novel, but did y'all see this video of a lady who found her dog while being interviewed?

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50147264n; 8:50 AM
Sherry said...: May I parrot others who said don't give to large charities like the Red Cross. Give to something more local. Someone posted the before and after video on Jason Leger's FB page. Send him a message. I'm willing to bet this guys viral video will end of with him helping to organize something more on a local level.

And God be with them all. I hope the loss of life is minimal in spite of what is horrific devastation.; 9:01 AM
Frufra said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 9:19 AM
Frufra said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 9:19 AM
RowdyRodimus said...: As I read and type, I hear thunder approaching from the storm that caused this. We're under Tornado Watch until this afternoon. I doubt we'll see anything really.

I wonder if the alphabet networks will have a big all star benefit for OK or if they say it doesn't matter since it's not NY or a chance to say Bush did it like Katrina.; 9:20 AM
DewieTheBear said...: Take care, Rowdy.; 9:21 AM
Meanie Rhysie said...: Oh, I'm pretty sure it's Obama's fault. ;)

Really, though? Interjecting politics here, FFS!; 9:25 AM
Nancy said...: My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected. Just heartbreaking to see and read all the stories.; 9:25 AM
Anonymous said...: Anyone in Dallas Fort Worth. We have a very high chance according to the news media of being hit by the same type storms as OK got yesterday, Several school districts have already announced early dismissal. We haven't but everyone here is as jumpy as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. So keep an eye out for bad weather.; 9:41 AM
Seachica said...: Maybe it's because I just flew in from London yesterday, but do we really need wall to wall coverage of a tornado? It is horrible, but it isn't the worst natural disaster ever. Tornados happen all the time -- hundreds of them a year. And have we really already forgotten Katrina and Sandy and Joplin and other big natural disasters of recent years?! These are big stories in the region impacted, but if you don't live there, it doesn't really have a big impact on our life.

There are real stories going on out there, with larger impact. How about covering the allegations about Apple's tax dodging? the Syria/Israeli situation? immigration reform? the questionable safety standards that enabled the West Texas tragedy just a few weeks ago?

US news really is shite these days.; 9:43 AM
KLM said...: I hear what you are saying, Seachica, but coming to a blog post about a tragedy to gripe about US news coverage to presumably a lot of people who are impacted by said tragedy is probably not going to be a very popular sentiment.

My thoughts go out to the people impacted by this awful tragedy...; 9:51 AM
RowdyRodimus said...: Thanks, Dewie and I agree with your pic, he's still my home run king, too. Besides the roids, if Bonds didn't play half his games the last ten years of his career in a stadium with a 330 right field, he never would've been close.

And Ms. Killjoy, notice I said two things. It's because the south doesn't matter to hollywood if they can let it spread their ideology. Sorry you don't like the truth.; 9:53 AM
SiG said...: Thank you for putting Oklahoma at the top today! I live near the affected area, the devastation is immense. We are pulling together as a community to house, clothe, and feed those displaced. The community outpouring is truly something to be proud of!; 9:54 AM
SiG said...: Sorry to waste your time with our nothing disaster Seachica. Katrina and Sandy did receive the same coverage, are we supposed to be discussing those right now? You mentioned we had forgotten, not so by any measure. I also don't really give a crap about Israel right now, I just want my friends and family to have a home. We will get back to that shit later. "Real stories with larger impact" will return tomorrow, don't you worry.; 9:58 AM
Kelly said...: I agree with the Red Cross thing. Another good one is Samaritan's Purse; 10:06 AM
Unknown said...: SiG......I completely agree with you. Bless your family & friends.
Hope they are all safe.
This is unreal, I live here too and it's breaking my heart.; 10:10 AM
Seachica said...: SiG - I bring up Katrina and Sandy because *enty* said he had never seen a natural disaster at this level.

I also said that this is huge news if you are local. In that case, you are directly impacted and this is a story deserving of wall to wall coverage. Local news should be going balls to the wall covering it. But does national news (CNN) really need to exclude *every other story* for this one? I live 2000 miles away. Stories like Syria and Apple have far more impact on my life. I'd rather see those covered (along with a story about Oklahoma) rather than 24x7 coverage of only a tornado. Our national news has become more about storm porn than news.

I won't hijack this thread, because it should be for sympathy for victims (which, believe it or not, I do have.). But when Enty makes a comment that "I don't think I have ever seen a natural disaster on quite this level.", I feel the need to call out his exaggeration. It's a big story, but by no means the biggest disaster in recent years and worthy of coverage to the exclusion of everything else.; 10:12 AM
JoElla said...: Bad form Seachica, bad form.

@Angela, the Red Cross can mess up, but it isn't a blanket type thing. The Red Cross is broken up into regins, so perhaps that area was run poorly.

Last I heard the Central Texas chapter is huge and contains all of Central Texas part of NE Texas and I think part of OK.

If a person wants to donate to the Red Cross, you can call and see how to make sure your money goes to a certain area, usually by bookmarking the town/city/event.

Other places to donate that have been mentioned are also wonderful and helpful. As always donate where you feel your money will do the most.

I am glad all the Oklahoma peeps have checked in.

My area is already in a Tornado Warning, and will remain until 7pm, for now. This could go on all night. Oklahoma and Texas have been lucky, and not have major tornados in a few years, and sadly now it is our turn. I think we were all fooled by the longer calmer spring, and things are just ramping up.

Everyone affected in these areas, please keep an eye on the skies, and an ear near a radio or tv. And please be safe.; 10:13 AM
JoElla said...: Seachica, With hurricanes you get an heads up, evac plans are in place and you have time to take other precations. Like usually days if not a week.

This storm kicked it into high gear quickly.. they only had 16 MINUTES to prepair. This is a huge difference.

This tornado was on the highest level of of the reporting scale..; 10:17 AM
RowdyRodimus said...: @SiG (Imagine this in Kanye West's voice) "Seachica d...doesn't care about Southerners! Also, I am in no way a gay fish, I am Kim's baby daddy and so straight it makes Ron Jeremy's engorged manhood look..umm, Seachica doesn't care about Southerners!"; 10:19 AM
Mala Propism said...: Just an add on. Consider donating to local animal shelters as well - they get inundated with lost and sometimes orphaned pets due to these tragedies and resources are always scarce.
Bless the folks dealing with this tragedy.; 10:21 AM
SiG said...: I appreciate your explanation seachica, I can appreciate what you're saying.; 10:24 AM
SiG said...: Oh Rowdy! A good laugh was so needed : ); 10:24 AM
Bacon Ranch said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 10:25 AM
Bacon Ranch said...: Heads up to Central/North Texas, it's on its way. Be safe.; 10:29 AM
SiG said...: That was clearly a joke Rowdy made, let's not take comic relief and use it as fuel to argue with each other. Not now! Let's be patient, sympathetic, and give each other a pass. Nobody says the right thing 100% of the time.; 10:29 AM
Rose said...: In my lifetime, I think of the 2004 Tsunami as the most damaging natural disaster I can think. Just thinking of the number of people who lost their life is overwhelming.

My heart goes out to the people and their families in Ok.; 10:38 AM
RowdyRodimus said...: Yes, that was a joke in case anyone has a stick up their ass and couldn't tell.; 10:41 AM
JoElla said...: Very true SiG, and like I said, if you don't live in Tornado Alley, it's kinda hard to imagine how quickly things go bad.

And now back to the loving place!

@Bacon Ranch, Do you live in TX? I live in Central Texas, and in my town, usually the storms kinda break up and regroup after us.. but we are all on pins and needles today. Be safe Bacon, and everyone else living in the projected storm area.

Funny story, we had a cat named Lumpy (RIP) that we called disaster kitty. He would go into the hallway (our safe place) when storms would blow through, and one night a wicked batch of storms came in and produced a tornado near me. Hubby was working and the kids and I had to go into the hallway, as a tornado zipped past us, about 1/2 a mile away.. And for the life of us (covered with a matteress and the kids wearing football helmets, couldn't get that damn cat into the hallway!; 10:43 AM
Anonymous said...: I moved to west Texas from Tulsa, after living there 23 years. I grew up just south of Norman in Lindsay...lots of friends and family affected by this storm. My cousin was at Briarwood Elementary to pick up her 3 daughters, and they were all caught in the tornado that destroyed that school. Luckily, they are all safe, but their home was completely levelled; nothing is salvageable. We are blessed they are all OK. But they, and many other families will need all the help they can get. Thank you for posting different charities on here. I love how the CDaN family can come together.; 10:44 AM
Anonymous said...: PS I meant to say I moved to Texas almost two years ago. My son still lives in Broken Arrow (Tulsa). Tulsa avoided the worst of it yesterday, thank goodness.; 10:46 AM
The Raving Badger said...: I live here. I live 6 miles fro. The area that got hit. My friends and their families were in this. Their kids were inthose schools. Just drove through eastern edge of Moore. I drobbed. Then the skies opened up and hailed on those of us stuck in traffic. Twice.

This is not a joke. It shouldn't be a goddamned sound bite for Mina or Jon Stewart. Fuck them. We hurt. We are hurting for those who hurt.

My officemate is visiting her pal who broke her back and whose disabled husband was sucked from her arms. They have not found him.

We are passing pictures on FB of our friends' missing children. We weep while we do this.

We are buying and delivering supplies. I did so last night. Several hundred dollars worth the flashlights, diapers, formula... work gloves to pull people... things from the wreckage.

We are organizing a fun run for 6 weeks from now. Working on major sponsorships today. Getting designs down and locations.

Central Oklahoma Red Cross are the only 4 words you need to know. Donate directly. We will do the rest. We have to. We always do and always will as we bury and mourn our children, our friends and our neighbors.

We welcome your prayers, and your assistance but don't be smug. Don't be crass. Don't be judgmental. Don't act like these media vultures who sweep in and treat us like animals in zoos.

And rejoice with us for the miracles happening. Rejoice for the survivors and for the show of strength and compassion we Okies demonstrate tragedy after tragedy.

Be more like us. And tonight, get off your computers, shut off the TV and hug your kids. So many among us cannot.; 11:01 AM
The Raving Badger said...: Fucking autocorrect on my phone. Sorry for the typos. I'm on my cell waiting for my next docket now...; 11:03 AM
SusanB said...: *pats Rowdy on shoulder* there, there, Rowdy. We knew it was a joke. It's ok. And I agree with you about Barry Bonds.

Not a fan of the Red Cross either. Heard there were a lot of complaints about them in NY/NJ after Sandy.

Salvation Army does WONDERFUL work - I've contributed to them often. I donated to the Knights of Columbus in Texas after that fertilizer plant explosion and last week got a nice note from the KoC - knew it would be put to good use locally. But the Salvation Army and Catholic Charities are good go-to places if you don't want to investigate local charities. I know Catholic Charities doesn't proselytize, and I've never heard that the SA does either. They're just there to help.; 11:04 AM
JoElla said...: @ The Raving Badger.. I understand hon.

It is so hard when it is in your community. And when you post on blogs. With the West Explosion, some of the things I read online made me want to scream.

Sometimes people do need to be reminded that it is easy to talk in the abstract but these are real people who we are talking about, family ripped apart, real loss happening, not some damn sound bite.

*not saying this is being done here.. but sometimes it just makes you want to scream and throw things when it happens*; 11:08 AM
mizzoutiger76 said...: I lived in Waco for about 2 years (originally from B/CS) and those tornadoes traumitized me like you wouldn't believe. Nothing like living in an old wood frame house during one of those storms :/ We had one come down 1/2 mile from us too.

Back safe and sound in B/CS and as much as I like rain, I do like the fact that the storms typically break up around us too.; 11:55 AM
mizzoutiger76 said...: Prayers and hugs to all. Be safe people.; 11:59 AM
MollyMo said...: Agreed!; 12:01 PM
califblondy said...: There are no words...; 12:34 PM
Raininmyst said...: @froggygurl I live in fort worth. My son and I are now home and keeping an eye on the updates. Just heavy rain and winds right now. My thoughts are also with Oklahoma right now. The pictures of the devastation are horrible.; 12:38 PM
amused bush said...: Thanks for sharing @Raving Badger stay strong and safe. Sending a big virtual hug your way.; 12:52 PM
Sherry said...: Raving Badger: My sincere kind thoughts for all your family and friends and you as well who are greatly affected. Please report what you believe would be the best way for those so greatly in need to get help the quickest way possible. You and SiG are at ground zero and can so a tremendous service is letting us know. Dulcinea I'm including you as well...

I know it's not much but I send you all good wishes and a virtual hug.

And thanks for the animal shelter suggestion Mala. Excellent advice.; 1:00 PM
Lulu G said...: @Devon- I am not a religious person either but the faith based disaster recovery groups are the best! You mentioned the Baptists. I have to agree and should have mentioned.. The Baptist Men group was up there and stayed for the long haul along with Salvation Army.; 1:07 PM
Unknown said...: I feel horrible for them but..the Japan Earthquake?? The Tsunami? Haiti?? Earthquake in Turkey?; 1:19 PM
Shay said...: Sending prayers to all those affected. And thanks CDANers for all of the donation information.; 1:21 PM
Melpomene25 said...: Thoughts and prayers to all that have had to endure this devastation and tragedy.; 2:11 PM
Del Riser said...: My prayers to those in Oklahoma, my daughter is in Dallas, I always worry this time of year.; 2:14 PM
car54 said...: Thanks Enty for pinning this to the front page.
It's on everyone's mind and I appreciate you giving your readers a place to talk about it and for those who live in the area to check in and let us know they are ok.

I grew up in the midwest where tornadoes were a fact of life, and I can remember watching a whole trailer park fly over our heads when one touched down on one side of town and skipped over to the other side. Absolutely terrifying.

We didn't have a basement at our house --we used to huddle in a bathroom we had with no windows and hope for the best.

My thoughts are with these poor people--I saw a report from a local TV station and he said the town had been hit like this in the 90's and they had rebuilt everything. And now it's happened again. :(; 2:14 PM
IndigoBlue said...: I have been a reader for years and used to comment as IndigoBlue....I lived in Tulsa for about 10 years....I am thankful for the safety of my loved ones and pray for all affected.; 2:15 PM
Just Lurking Don't Troll Me! said...: @Seachica -

I apologize on behalf of Mother Nature, Okies, and "storm porn" enthusiasts that made your day a no good, gosh darn bad day void of your meaningful news coverage.

I would much rather hear about Apple's shady tax practices. All of these people - I mean they are SO DIRTY AND POOR, amiright? - complaining about how their pitiful lives are demolished. I mean, it's just a tornado people! Wake me up when the death toll is at least a 100.

You are totally valid in your internet gossip website blathering. I have done some research to try and make your news experience more pleasurable today. Did you know these news channels have websites also? Just like this one that you posted on! They are continuing coverage on more important issues like Apple and Syria and Jodi Arias and Kim Kardashian's prego ass. Go check it out!

God bless you, Seachica, for exposing the US News for what it is. Using a gossip website as a platform was a genius idea.

Excuse our interruption,

Okie; 2:19 PM
Melpomene25 said...: For those that want to argue natural disasters and which ones were more devastating than OK, may I kindly say no one can argue that point. For anyone that has ever been personally affected by a disaster, that particular disaster is the most heartbreaking. Yes, I understand that statistics can validate claims based on loss of lives, but whether one person dies or 1000, it should be equally tragic. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but to bring it out in a post where we should be lending support and kind thoughts, shows a lack of couth.; 2:21 PM
IndigoBlue said...: I have long lurked and used to comment as IndigoBlue....I lived in Tulsa for almost 10 years and now live in Texas...prayers are free, folks...good thoughts......anything. My heart is breaking..thanks, all.; 2:50 PM
megyourpardon said...: I'm from OKC. Read the site everyday and love that you mentioned the devastating event that happened yesterday. Please donate to the Red Cross!; 3:01 PM
Ivs said...: @Libby Oh my god. That footage made my heart stop - so, so awful, I can't imagine. We don't really have that kind of weather phenomenon where I live, so it's so easy to forget that this is a real thing. This really happens to a lot of people, so I just wanted to say that anyone affected has my deepest sympathies. Can't imagine not being able to do anything but hide.; 3:18 PM
amused bush said...: Hey All - Just an FYI, while Red Cross is an "(inter)national" organization, much of the work done happens locally. House fires, local emergency events such as severe weather, search and rescue, military family assistance, I can understand people's frustrations, especially with some of the stories I heard stemming from Hurricane Sandy, but the RC is still a great organization to donate to (As are Salvation Army, Knights of Columbus, Catholic Charities, and countless others).

Full disclosure - I am an on-call RC volunteer and just wanted to let everyone know we're really not that horrible :-); 4:40 PM
darcey said...: Here is a great way to donate and help one of the elementary schools. I don't have the funds to send so I'm spreading the word about this.

http://thedealyo.com/home/2013/5/21/use-box-tops-to-help-plaza-towers-elementary-school-in-moore-oklahoma-free.html/; 4:51 PM
Audrey said...: My parents fled Lithuania when the Soviets barged in the 40s. My parents were basically refugees at the ages of 2 and 4. My father, to this day, LOVES the Salvation Army. He remembers the donuts and chocolate they gave to the kids. Red Cross? Not so much, too much politics
.; 4:57 PM
Jacq said...: The world may have seen worse, but the people of Moore have seen the WORST. The 1999 tornado that hit the town registered the highest winds ever recorded on the planet.; 9:21 PM
Zeeky_Boogy_Doog said...: A friend of mine, her brother's family lost their house. Thankfully, they are safe and weren't home when it hit. Man... I can't even imagine.

Seachica, I kind of get your point. A lot of things happen, but the news won't devote time to it. However, I believe there's room for all the stories, whether they're natural disasters or corporate scandals, etc. What bothers me is how media chooses which stories to make A-List. Most of us could probably recite tiniest details of Caylee Anthony's disappearance and murder, but other missing kids don't even get two minutes on the local news.; 10:11 PM
Nicola said...: I'm in the UK and I've been glued to the news, trying to figure out how to help. This isn't a local story. To me, it's absolutely necessary for the world to see what is happening to these people. Fuck tax avoidance or government crisises - they'll still be there tomorrow. These people need help now, and news coverage and updates will keep their plight at the forefront of people's minds.

Sending love (and hopefully money soon) to Oklahoma.; 5:44 AM
Unknown said...: Sandy, the Japanese Tsunami, Chilean Earthquakes etc.....There has been far larger disasters to happen unfortunately.

I find them at least less horrible in some weird way than man-made ones. Nature is nature, but at least it isn't being evil on purpose.

The thing I don't understand-why would you EVER live in tornado alley and not have a basement. This is akin to staying in your beach house as a hurricane is bearing down. It is purely bad judegment. And those poor kids-a SCHOOL does not have a basement. I actually find that despicable. How many people could have been saved, how many kids in that school??? It makes no sense.

I have been to the midwest-there is a pioneering spirit there that will never be broken. They have done it before and will do it again and continue to be the strong, kind, sincere people they have always been.; 6:20 AM
JoElla said...: Katie,sometimes the ground is too hard or too soft to build one. I live in tornado alley and the ground in my area shifts too much. That could cause the house to collaps. So it is really rare in my area. Must be nice to live in an area without any natural disaster worry.

We can play what if's all day long, but an F4 is pretty rare. Even "safe rooms" didn't hold up well with this tornado. And you have to remember, everyone only had 16 minutes till this hit.

It's like asking why live in a landslide prone area, why live where wildfires can burn your houses down.. why live in California with the big one coming?

And lets not bicker about who to donate to. Just donate please.

And to those whining about bigger and badder natural disasters world wide..
It's okay for Americans to focus on Americans every now and then. Can't always save the world.. sometimes we need to focus on us.; 6:51 AM
AKM said...: Prayers, love, and hopefully money soon to OK. (Although I am proud of my Parrothead group. We were able to donate $500 last night to our Parrothead brothers and sisters in Central OK to distribute the money as needed.); 7:12 AM
AKM said...: Actually, I was just reading that it's a myth that basements can't be built in OK:

http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/22/us/oklahoma-tornado-basements/index.html?eref=rss_mostpopular

Still, it seems that it's just not done much.; 7:14 AM
JoElla said...: AKM I live in Texas. I was talking about my area.

Usually Oklahoma has them, if not, they have a really good public shelter system. One that I wish Texas would have. Tornados usually happen north of my area, but you never know where one will pop up. There was an F5 in Jarrell TX which is about 60 miles away from me. They are part of 'tornado alley' but down south, usually not an active tornado area.

If I remember correctly, the Jarrell TX tornado created the F5 ranking. :(

And most importantly, what a wonderful thing you and your fellow Parrotheads did!! <3; 7:51 AM
RowdyRodimus said...: We were lucky and the storm skipped over the area, which is rare. We are located on the Arkansas river and they follow that basin.

We had an f3 in 97 that wiped out a lot of houses and killed around 30 people. I'll never forget how awesome my manager at Long John Silver's (I was working there while going to college) was at the time. The electric was out in our area for about a week and every afternoon when I got off, he would send dinners with me for everyone in the neighborhood and offered people to stay at the store for people who had damage to their house.

He was getting yelled at by the district manager about giving so much food away and having people clocked in overnight to be there with the few families that took him up on the offer of staying there. That is until the DM came and saw the destruction. He lived in TX and hadn't heard or seen what went on. The DM quickly apologized.

Any stories like that come out of this one? I'd really like to know.; 8:10 AM
Unknown said...: I actually live in NYC (from LI) so I am in a disaster prone area. Nothing is guaranteed, shelter or not BUT I think that precautions should be taken if possible. My parents house cannot have a basement bc of the water table-but we have a crawlspace. Houses at least have to have that-of course thats not ideal in a F4 tornado but it's something to think about especially when kids are involved.

16 minutes is actually a pretty long time compared to many tornado stories that I have heard. I am sure that saved more than a few lives at least.

I just hate to think how much was preventable.

And yes, I do agree that it is annoying when people are like "but there are starving kids in africa with much worse lives etc" when something happens here. Tragedy is tragedy.

I also have to say, I would never move to Cali-precisely bc of the natural disasters there. Eventually SF is going to fall off the side of America and I would not want to be there for that.; 9:37 AM
JoElla said...: I hear you Katie. A & M has been doing really wonderful research on tornados, and helped design the newer safe rooms. Also with each massive tornado, all the weather chasers and experts learn more and more.

With each one, more precautions, better alarm systems and better odds are learned.

I have lived in Texas since 87, and the tech to track and predict improved so much and allowed many more to live. It's amazing, they can be spot on with the time it will hit my town.

And sadly, nothing but higher power, the universe and just plain old luck can save people from an F4 :(; 10:50 AM
YourNameHere said...: @VeraL I donated blood with the Red Cross yesterday (Monday the 20th). I wish I knew where it ends up going but I'm just happy to know it will help someone somewhere.; 5:46 PM
YourNameHere said...: Also my thoughts and prayers are with everyone effected by this devastating disaster. I have an irrational fear of lightning, I cannot imagine having to worry about tornadoes. I'm going to do what I can to help out more from where I am (Boston).; 5:48 PM

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Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Oklahoma

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