MO - Tornado Slams Joplin

[Dark Knight]

The death toll has risen to 116, but 7 people were rescued alive:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110523/ap_on_re_us/us_midwest_storms

 

[momtective]

Omg I live here in Joplin and luckily our apartment wasn't hit but came really close. My dad and stepmom lost their home but they are all ok. Scariest thing in my life. It looks like a horror movie out here and I'm sure the death toll will rise well over 100....I am just sick and numb but thankful that my family is all ok. I have never seen anything like this and I'm still in shock....

Oh Rachelle...I am so glad you are safe and that your family is safe. My heart just breaks for you and all of Joplin. You have been in my thoughts and prayers, along with our other WS family members in that area.
May the Lord bless you and keep his hand upon you and all of Joplin. The outpouring of humanity is sure to be like nothing we have ever seen.

 

[Sooner Fan#1]

I am just sad beyond belief and would like to send my prayers and good thoughts to all areas affected by this monster storm.

That afternoon, DH and I were mowing and washing down the deck area. After we finished, hubby said, I think I'll wait until tomorrow to put the riding mower and power washer up....and wondered if it was going to rain. I told him I was feeling a bit wierd, that something was in the air that was uncomfortable. I was born in Texas but have lived in S.E. Oklahoma most of my life. I told him...come on I'll help you put the equipment up. He hesitated but I convinced him to take them to the shed.(about 3/4) Mile to the back of our property. (we have 3 acres total) we continued to sit on the deck and were grilling a steak on the grill when this huge storm was passing over us.....As it was passing, we were absolutely terrified, as the thunder along with the lightening was like none I have experienced before and I have been in tornadoes and we used to chase them for The State of Oklahoma Civil Defense. I just couldn't explain the terror I felt. Later that evening, the thunder was horrific...it was rolling and rolling and not letting up at all.

We have been out of town with my 84 year old dad having a stent put in his aorta and was checking my phone for updates. We were in Talequah, Ok ( N.E Oklahoma) and the rain and lightening were awful driving home in it. At times the wind seemed to blow us all over the road. We travel through Joplin every time we visit my daughter and her family in PA.

I understand another cell has gone though Joplin again today and another cell was headed their way.

I don't propose to have extra super skills, but this one I felt the hairs on my neck and down my back.

I have donated to red cross and will send more supplies as soon as possible.

God Bless these people! Dear God, please have your arms around these families and get them supplies asap.

I have been monitering facebook to see if I recognize any W/S'ers.

Sending love and prayers to the people and all the first responders. I'm proud to see Oklahoma EMSA was dispatched to the area. This is the greatest group, as they have much experience. :websleuther::gasp::hug:raying:

WEBSLUETHERS ARE JUST THE BEST FOR NEWS AND WEATHER!

 

[STEADFAST]

My SIL drove up there earlier today because he heard they needed people who could lift over 150 lbs to help rescue people. My DD says all she's heard from him so far is a text saying "There are no words."

 

[legalmania]

This used to be a Home Depot http://twitpic.com/51djb2

They say the death toll could easily surpass 100. And there are many gaslines which could explode.

And yet there is one shelf that still has merchandise on it, untouched.

 

[tlcya]

Joplin appears to be getting hit with storms back to back tonight. That has to be greatly hampering SAR efforts and other emergency services.

 

[legalmania]

I gotta give the storm chasers a big thanks. A lot of the times they are the ones who warn the weather , fire, police and news department warning that a tornado is on it's way. The one guy sorry I forgot his name, was telling them to run the sirens, I think a lot more lives would be lost if it wasn't for these guys. They are risking their lives to save the lives of others. They are usually the first responders. So thanks storm chasers.

 

[Jacie Estes]

I lived in Joplin as a kid, did find my family members today and they are ok.

Prayers offered to all, hoping that those missing are found safe.

 

[momtective]

This just breaks my heart.

Meteorologist Mike Bettes is overcome as he reports live from Joplin, Missouri. Bettes and his crew arrived on the scene of this devastating tornado less than an hour after it hit.

http://beta.weather.com/outlook/videos/emotional-reaction-to-pure-devastation-20705

 

[Reannan]

I have family in the Springfield, MO and St. Louis area. Thankfully, they are all physically OK, but the emotional toll is horrible for everyone. Missouri has taken enormous hits lately, as has many other parts of our country. My heart breaks for everyone, and I hope all of our WS's family is OK...... One of my relatives said that she knew of a patient that was literally sucked out of his hospital room and killed in Joplin. That is something out of a nightmare. I have always heard about horrible storms, but this is really something for the record books.

 

[Jacie Estes]

This just breaks my heart.

Meteorologist Mike Bettes is overcome as he reports live from Joplin, Missouri. Bettes and his crew arrived on the scene of this devastating tornado less than an hour after it hit.

http://beta.weather.com/outlook/videos/emotional-reaction-to-pure-devastation-20705

I have seen many tornadoes but this is beyond belief. Before my grandmother passed, she was in one of the nursing homes in Joplin. Our last dinner together I took her to Red Lobster in Joplin. Even though I know my family is safe I have cried all day, people there really need help. We live in SD now but I want to get in the car and drive home to help.

Thanks everybody for posting the info, the pictures are hard to look at and I haven't even tried to watch the videos.

 

[momtective]

I have family in the Springfield, MO and St. Louis area. Thankfully, they are all physically OK, but the emotional toll is horrible for everyone. Missouri has taken enormous hits lately, as has many other parts of our country. My heart breaks for everyone, and I hope all of our WS's family is OK...... One of my relatives said that she knew of a patient that was literally sucked out of his hospital room and killed in Joplin. That is something out of a nightmare. I have always heard about horrible storms, but this is really something for the record books.

Reannan, I'm so glad your family is okay. We have family in St. Louis and love the "Show me State"...we've traveled through Joplin so many times in in route to St. Louis. I am just completely stunned and heart broken by the massive destruction and loss of life. My deepest respect for LE and all other rescue personnel in Joplin...to say that the task at hand is daunting would be an understatement of the greatest magnitude. I'm just so very, very proud of them and at the same time my heart is just broken.

 

[Beyond Belief]

i guess we'll have to wait until they tell us what we can do for these folks.
For now, I guess just pray they find those who are still alive and for those who are injured.
I just found this:
http://www.nbcactionnews.com/dpp/ne...on-to-benefit-joplin,-reading-tornado-victims

 

[wfgodot]

A Riverside police officer was injured by lightning Monday while helping with rescue-and-recovery efforts in Joplin, Riverside Public Safety said.

The officer, 31, is being treated at a hospital there with “significant” injuries. He was standing next to an all-terrain vehicle when lightning struck the ground next to him late Monday.

The injured officer, who has worked in Riverside more than four years, is one of four Riverside police officers in Joplin.
---
http://www.kansascity.com/2011/05/23/2897710/riverside-police-officer-hit-by.html

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon says authorities have found another 10 people alive in the wreckage left by a tornado that killed 116, bringing the number of rescued survivors to 17.
---
Nixon told The Associated Press on Monday night he doesn’t even want to guess how high the death toll will eventually climb, but he says: “Clearly, it’s on its way up.”
---
http://www.kansascity.com/2011/05/23/2897662/governor-says-17-found-alive-in.html

.....

 

[wfgodot]

...very good USA Today overview posted not long ago:

Shock, grief and relief grip Joplin

---
Mary Lee, 71, a retiree from St. Louis, was visiting a cousin in Joplin. They raced to the basement just in time to hear roaring and the crackle of splintering wood. When they emerged, the roof was gone. They suffered cuts and bruises but no serious injuries.

"I thought it was the End of Days — or at least my last day on this earth," Lee said. She and her cousin had held hands and sung hymns as the storm rumbled overhead. Now, staying with friends, they feel blessed.
---

ETA: also a good overview

How to help victims of the Joplin tornado (USA Today)

 

[wfgodot]

One more - a lengthy AP article:

Rescuers race to find survivors of Joplin tornado

---
While many residents had up to 17 minutes of warning, rain and hail may have drowned out the sirens.

Larry Bruffy said he heard the first warning but looked out from his garage and saw nothing. "Five minutes later, the second warning went off," he said.
---

 

[PassTheMotrin]

Please, if you have not yet put together an emergency kit for your family, do it today.

http://www.fema.gov/plan/index.shtm

http://www.knowhat2do.com/

 

[Soulmagent]

Please, if you have not yet put together an emergency kit for your family, do it today.

http://www.fema.gov/plan/index.shtm

http://www.knowhat2do.com/

Where do you store one?
Where would it always be safe? How do you prepare for that?

 

[PassTheMotrin]

Where do you store one?
Where would it always be safe? How do you prepare for that?

We actually have two separate kits. We keep one in the garage, in case we have to get outta dodge. The other is in our walk-in closet, which is our designated shelter spot. They are actually large Rubbermaid bins with lids.

The two links above have sample lists of items to include: first aid kit, water purification tablets, blankets, canned food, can opener, pet food, etc.

Being CERT members, the three of us also have our kits always ready to go, as well.

http://www.knowhat2do.com/publicdownloads/buildakit.pdf

 

[Soulmagent]

We actually have two separate kits. We keep one in the garage, in case we have to get outta dodge. The other is in our walk-in closet, which is our designated shelter spot. They are actually large Rubbermaid bins with lids.

The two links above have sample lists of items to include: first aid kit, water purification tablets, blankets, canned food, can opener, pet food, etc.

Being CERT members, the three of us also have our kits always ready to go, as well.

http://www.knowhat2do.com/publicdownloads/buildakit.pdf

Thanks, I have two as well one upstairs and one downstairs. None in the cars ,which I really should have.

I guess I am just in awe and shock. It doesnt look like to me many homes kits would be within reach or be easy to find.

Following the facebook link, Joplin Info is heartbreaing, post about people missing looking for family member and friends.

One woman was looking for two guys who were last seen in Home depot. They havent been heard from in 24 hours. I read the report of the body bags being taken there and I hope they are just helping rescue people and not taking time to call. The pictures dont look encouraging.

I also noticed people are posting rapture info on the page which is really making me angry, I find it tasteless and disrespectful to the people of Joplin and surrounding areas.