AH members dealing with OK Tornado devistation

[Iraqvet]

Sometimes what you fear the most will meet you halfway....

My thoughts and prayers for anyone impacted by the Twisters in Oklahoma yesterday or if you have family that was 

[SIK1]

  for all those effected by the tornadoes.

[BiPoLaR]

Thoughts being with those poor people dont feed them or put a roof over their heads when theyve lost everything. I donated to the red cross fund. I ask those that can spare it to do the same.

[bortas1]

    I live just south of Shawnee Oklahoma. I praise the Lord for watching over me all these years so that I have never had the opportunity to suffer though a tornado. what is weird is that in may 3rd 1999 the flight path of that tornado is almost identical to the flight path of yesterdays tornado. my heart felt prayers do go out to them that where caught up in that tornado. its all in moore Oklahoma, just south of Oklahoma city.
<S> Bortas1

[Fish42]

I just heard on the radio heading into work, that not all schools in that area had underground shelters! That place is called tornado alley, why would they not have one?

My thoughts are with the people/families affected by this.

[scott66]

My thoughts and prayers are with OK.

[maddafinga]

I and all my family and close friends are ok, the families of some of my friends, not so much.  Even if we're not directly affected by it, it's really tough on everyone in the state. 

[jimson]

I just heard on the radio heading into work, that not all schools in that area had underground shelters! That place is called tornado alley, why would they not have one?

My thoughts are with the people/families affected by this.

All schools have a disaster plan and a basement is usually considered an underground shelter, but in a tornado of that size and intensity, there is no way to guaranty safety.

The Greater OKC Metro Area just cannot have reinforced bunkers 30 feet underground that are within a few minutes access to accomodate the entire population no matter where they happen to be when a storm hits.

[BaldEagl]

The Greater OKC Metro Area just cannot have reinforced bunkers 30 feet underground that are within a few minutes access to accomodate the entire population no matter where they happen to be when a storm hits.

They don't need reincorced bunkers 30' underground.  Normally a basement is sufficient in a tornado, preferably also under the stairs or in a smaller more contained area or a corner on the windward side.  Barring that an upstairs interior closet or as a last resort a bathtub with a mattress over you.  The biggest threat is always flying debris.

We have tornado's here in the Minneapolis St Paul area too.  I've lived through one that snapped and downed trees hitting homes on all sides but totally skipped over me and watched another to the north while driving down the freeway from St Paul to Minneapolis but nothing like what hit OK.

On the news this morning I saw the former Governor of OK saying that shelters were relatively cheap and that they should have them particularily at schools.

Condolences to those that lost loved ones and encouragement to those that will pick themselves up and rebuild.

[Megalodon]

My stepuncle lives in Norman his daughter lives in Moore, she had the corner of her roof taken out, they are okay.

 

My mother and step bro and sis live in Cushing, a couple of my aunts lived in Pawhuska, they have recently passed.

 

I started growing up in OKCity, in 1960.

Steps,

[jimson]

On the news this morning I saw the former Governor of OK saying that shelters were relatively cheap and that they should have them particularily at schools.

The basement shelter at that school probably would have been sufficient if it hadn't flooded.

[Slash27]

I just heard on the radio heading into work, that not all schools in that area had underground shelters! That place is called tornado alley, why would they not have one?

My thoughts are with the people/families affected by this.

One of the schools that was hit was built in the 1960's prior to it being required to have some sort of safe area.

[Max]

By now you've heard. read, seen the devastation in Moore, OK. Within hours of the storm, Operation BBQ Relief was mobilizing hundreds of volunteers for search & rescue, feeding, housing, clothing the thousands of Moore, OK residents devasted by the tornado.

Those of you who'd like to help, please visit http://operationbbqrelief.org/donate
100% of your donations will go towards this effort. $5-$10-$20-$100...ANYTHING you can do will help.
PayPal or credit cards are acceptable

[MrGeezer]

We are just into the next state over.  What hit them hit our area (the mountains tend to break up the punch and send tornados UP--sometimes) a couple of hours later.  Lots of trees down and flooding but NOTHING compared to the folks in Moore and OKC.  Bless them and their families for the horrible losses of life.  Earthly things can be replaced.  Prayers sent   

[maddafinga]

Shawnee got hit really hard as well, but with all the notice that Moore is getting, I'm afraid it'll fall through the cracks.