Moore, Oklahoma - TODAY: "the worst tornado in the history of the world"

[frankfrank]

http://kfor.com/2013/05/20/tornado-wipes-out-homes-schools-businesses-in-moore/

The large suburb of Moore, Oklahoma (south suburb of Oklahoma City) was struck by a massive EF-5 tornado this afternoon. A direct hit, and considered even worse than the May 3, 1999 tornado which hit the same area. This is a time to reflect, in whatever way is appropriate (which may include wishes, prayer, or whatever is relevant for you), for the victims of this massive disaster.

Included along the path were two schools, and I just heard a report that all the children are alive and accounted for at one of the schools.

[EDIT: Shit, they're ONLY saying that the fourth, fifth, sixth grade children are entirely accounted for - but the fate of K through Three children is not yet known and they're still searching...]

I am hearing some people saying this is the most massive tornado that has ever been recorded. (I am wondering if the Tri-State Tornado in 1925 was actually more massive, but measuring equipment and such was nearly nonexistent at that time, just primitive anemometers.)

It is too early to give estimates of fatalities or amounts of damage, but it is said that the path was TWO MILES WIDE at its maximum.

There are currently OTHER TORNADOES on the ground in Oklahoma as I write this.

One of my best friends, and his wife and kittehs, are OK. They live in northwest Oklahoma City, a good ways from the destruction.

 

[mikey3000]

Watching the live coverage on CNN now. Oh My God!!!

 

[Jack Springer]

Horrible tornado -- maybe 2 miles wide in places.

I've been watching the networks also. Appears the bad storm line is heading across SW Missouri/NW Arkansas towards STL later tonight ... and east tomorrow.

Oklahoma has good meteorologists and first responders. They have gone through this before.

Forecasting has greatly improved in the last 20 years which saves hundred if not thousands of people a year.

They identified a tornado SE of me this afternoon on radar . . . so far appears it did not touch down. I am so thankful that I've never seen one and hope that I never will.

Someone used the word 'pulverized' -- after looking at the video, that is a good description.

 

[cityboy-stl]

The tornado watches are up now. It is very scary I tell you.

 

[CowboyBob]

I've been watching it this afternoon. It's terrible.

 

[frankfrank]

Six fatalities now, so far - and they're finding the K-through-3 children at Plaza Towers elementary school, and some of those kids have died. "KFOR: As many as 2 dozen children killed at school."

 

[JayHawk]

I surely do not wanna make this political. There will always be time for that later. My thoughts and prayers to those folks. What I dont understand is the building codes around here. If you live on the southern east coast there are building codes concerning hurricane reinfrocements required to be made, If you live out west there are earthquake requirements. I live in a brand new place here and there is no requirement for a storm shelter. It makes no sense to me. Such a simple step of building a 12x12 storm shelter would save so many lives. It boggles my mind... especially as I sit on the thrid floor awaiting the second round of tornado.

 

[swerve]

Having lived through 3 different tornados over the years -- I can tell you one thing -- I'm TERRIFIED of them...

More empathy than I can quantify is with the people of Oklahoma...

Thanks for the thread -- I had heard about it earlier today -- but wasn't able to "tune in"...

I HOPE that the fatality count doesn't grow any higher...

 

[chrisrobin]

.
I just heard on my radio: 51 fatalities now. How bad is that?

 

[JayHawk]

Yes and at least seven of those fatalities are children huddled in a hallway of a school with no shelter. I cannot imagine the terror.

 

[cm98059]

I am waiting to hear from a friend of mine in Oklahoma. Those affected are in my thoughts.

 

[White Eagle]

I watched it as it happened. They had a helio up and the images after were terrible. Everything flattened.
I thought basements were something built into houses up in tornado alley. I think it starts in N Texas west of D-FW and on NE on up to Ill.
I can't believe those children huddled in a hallway. There could at least be a concrete room.

 

[Sausy]

So sad to hear about this, just beyond the devastation all the fatalities, just the heart of communities so ripped out. Things will pass, but his never can be forgotten.

 

[bike10]

Well he got from the offical messiah and prophet of the GOP Gods Only Party. Mr. Pat Robertson has stated the lack of prayers caused the torando.

 

[palemale]

Well he got from the offical messiah and prophet of the GOP Gods Only Party. Mr. Pat Robertson has stated the lack of prayers caused the torando.

Maybe it was because of all the gay men preying.

 

[CowboyBob]

Well he got from the offical messiah and prophet of the GOP Gods Only Party. Mr. Pat Robertson has stated the lack of prayers caused the torando.

I thought you were joking but it's true:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/05/pat-robertson-tornadoes-prayer_n_1321686.html

This article links to tornadoes from last year but it applies.

 

[Jack Springer]

You're not going to get any support for Pat Robertson from me and I doubt anyone in this forum.

But at least get the hate speech correct ... the video is from 2012.

 

[CowboyBob]

Yes, it from last year but do you think old Patsy changed his mind about the tornadoes?

 

[White Eagle]

I want to see what the Republicans in Oklahoma are gonna do when the Republicans in DC vote to not fund any help for the victims.

 

[frankfrank]

Well he got from the offical messiah and prophet of the GOP Gods Only Party. Mr. Pat Robertson has stated the lack of prayers caused the torando.

[sarcasm]That's right. Those non-religious and atheist heathens in Oklahoma simply don't pray. There are only two Christian churches in Oklahoma, period. Oklahoma will continue getting battered with tornadoes until they begin to become religious.

Oh, wait...what??[/sarcasm]