Massive Tornado Hits Moore, Oklahoma

[EsmaEverheart]

This tornado had a 2 and quarter mile debris field. It hit 2 Elementary Schools and leveled neighaborhoods. I am safe and the tornado didn't come close to me. But this is heartbreaking. Here is the link to the live stream of our local tv station.

http://kfor.com/on-air/live-streaming/

[Ellisa]

I am so glad to hear of someone being safe, waiting to see where the storm path goes must be frightening. How can you plan against an event as horrible as this, especially in the schools? It looks truly terrifying on the newscasts and it is hard to understand how anyone could withstand a tornado that big.

[EsmaEverheart]

Being from Oklahoma, I have learned to always have a plan of what to do in case of a tornado. Having a storm shelter helps a lot, but I don't have one right now. Every school that has been built since the May 3, 1999 tornado outbreak has been required to have Safe Rooms for the students. Those Safe Rooms can withstand winds of 300 mph. But the schools that were hit today were old schools and didn't have the safe rooms. I understand that the teachers and students had taken refuge in the hall.

[naste.de.lumina]

Mother Earth has the need to re-balance, and unfortunately sometimes some of her children are on the way.
What I can do is pray for those who suffer from these consequences.
Force

[ThePythonicCow]

ZeroHedge has a video posted of this tornado (in a format I don't know how to post here): Stunning Time-Lapse Video Of 2-Mile Wide Oklahoma Tornado

[ThePythonicCow]

There may be as many as 24 children in the elementary school that was demolished. What began as a "Search and Rescue" has become a "Search and Recovery", as the workers (firemen, etc) work layer by layer through the rubble.

[ThePythonicCow]

We received a "Tornado Watch" alert (the least urgent kind of tornado warning issued) where I live in North Texas. Moore, Oklahoma is about 150 miles north of where I live.

[Lifebringer]

All of the infrastructure should have been replaced with basements or storm shelters below ground, they are in tornado alley after all. Time for the people to make up their minds about global warming, regardless of how we got here, we are here. Time to prepare properly so they don't kill everybody in denial. I always wondered how come the walls and structures are not thicker now to tolerate the winds like in the `1800's and 1900's? they used the whole tree as a beam, where as the cheap building these days with "cellotech" fiber walls on every inch of a home, but the corners. Stapled, not nailed, and still using 2x4's when they should be using 4x4's against the winds. Basement structures are a must. Why aren't the mayor, Governor and representatives doing the right thing in the building codes of a tornado expected area. Either stop building in the area(which people won't) or reinforce them to withstand winds. I recommend Domed homes of super tough plastic wood and cement structures that are based 6ft in the ground with a basement and steel rebarb and slightly buried concrete floor of the home with cut out door for the basement. The concrete floor/ceiling should be under the dirt/foundation also because when the wind pulls, it will release when the house moves and the tornado will move off, and the people below can be safe.

[naste.de.lumina]

Posted by Paul (here)
We received a "Tornado Watch" alert (the least urgent kind of tornado warning issued) where I live in North Texas. Moore, Oklahoma is about 150 miles north of where I live.

Take care brother.

[EsmaEverheart]

Moore is a subburb south of Oklahoma City. I live in a subburb north of Oklahoma City. I was in the tornado outbreak on May 3,1999. Actually it was 2 tornados that came about 30 minutes apart. One good thing about Oklahoma is that the Weathermen are very good at tracking where they will go and broadcast live coverage on the tv stations. I usually watch the live coverage. I also have a Weather Radio that sends me alarms of impending storms.

The thing with the elementary schools is just heartbreaking. I may see if the Red Cross needs some volunteers tomorrow. I did that after the May 3 tornados. I didn't have power for a week so I didn't have anything else to do.

[Wind]

http://www.transients.info/2013/05/a...d-down-in.html

You're in my thoughts.

[Lifebringer]

I saw the live footage before they recognized it was a tornado. The rains were so dense, they didn't realize how big it actually was. The tv news station weather guy said "okay, let's go guys, hey, hey, let's go, down to the basement, let's go, go, go, now, now, now!

I called my hubby and told him to look at the size of it, and we just went silent for a few moments praying for safety of all.

[ghostrider]

I live about 90 miles northeast of moore, everone here is spooked.. watches and flood watches continue until 10 tonight with more possible tommorrow... my animals are acting scared and clingy ... I'm sending energy to route this storm away from tulsa ... pray for those in shawnee and moore , it's worse than the media photos and video, cars were thrown off the overpass and crushed onto other cars , lots of people still missing , the national guard has been mobilized ...

[EsmaEverheart]

Lifebringer, I think the footage you are referring is from a Kansas tv station during the tornado outbreak yesterday. They would never evacuate during a live tornado ourbreak on Oklahoma City tv stations. I have been watching them do tornado broadcasts for over 50 years here and even when the tv stations got sturck they kept broadcasting with back up generators. The Weathermen here take it personally if there is a fatality during an outbreak.

Also Oklahoma schools are required to have several Tornado drills every school year just like they have Fire drills. From my days as a Substitute Teacher it was part of the Tornado Drill to place students in interior hallways and bathrooms. So in the case of the schools that were hit today, the teachers were doing what they were trained to do in placing students in hallways.

[EsmaEverheart]

Ghostrider, it has been my experience that when my dogs are acting spooked that I need to pay attention. Our animals know when something is about to happen. I will certainly keep you in my thoughts and prays this evening.

[EsmaEverheart]

I was trying to embed a video taken a few minutes after the tornado struck. I just can't seem to do it...so here is the link:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=591384340880465

[naste.de.lumina]

Posted by EsmaEverheart (here)
I was trying to embed a video taken a few minutes after the tornado struck. I just can't seem to do it...so here is the link:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=591384340880465

All this destruction is very sad to see, so I can only imagine how terrible moments of the people who are living this situation.
I honestly have no words, and with a sinking heart I'll stop here.
I'll stay tuned for aid groups because it is the way I can help, and also to pray, of course.
I'm really sorry and extend my condolences to all Americans.

[Ellisa]

Now there are 91 reported deaths,--- and so many of them children.

What can we say? i agree with naste.. I am really sorry and send my thoughts and wishes as this horror plays itself out.

I hope there is an opportunity to donate to aid for these poor people. I know when we in Australia had those awful bush fires and people from all over offered help, it was comforting to know people cared.

[BIG CAT]

I want you guys to know that you are in my prayers and anyone who has been affected by this tornado stay strong, we are thinking of you all.
God bless you all.

[CD7]

WTH!!!! IM BESIDE MYSELF.....80% of the homes had NO BASEMENTS IN TORNADO ALLEY!!! OHHHhhhhh so disheartened by witnessing something tht could have been avoided. I havent read all posts but is there a LOGICAL explanation why there were no basements? Or is my feeling tht i am living in IDIOCRACY for real? However im gonna kick it down a notch and b humble...i live in florida with NO BOAT!!!