If you are watching the weather channel Sunday evening, the devastation is just a few miles away from me. We have a lot of staff and some students that live in the area. I feel utterly helpless.
So far, I know that one teacher lost her home, and that 2 other teachers are okay. Several of my students work at a sports center, the building is completely gone, but there were no fatalities there.
Just got a text from my cousin in Joplin. They lost their house and vehicles, but they got out ok. That's the important part. Stay safe, ku.
Wow, Christy. The area of Joplin that got hit looks like it was just wiped off the map. It is unbelievable.
ku~I'm praying for that area and for your co-worker and others that are affected. We were under a tornado warning, but I think the storm went around us. Christy~I'm so sorry that they lost the house and vehicles, but happy that they got out safely.
Oh, Ku, that's horrible!!! Please keep us updated and let us know if there is anything you need or anything we can do! Love you!
We've been watching it closely here (Rockhubby is a trained and certified Weather Spotter). You and yours are in my thoughts.
My thoughts and prayers are with all who have been affected--I was looking at pictures this morning and the devastation is difficult to comprehend.
KU... thinking of all of you!!! I was thinking how horrible last nite when they were showing pix of it!!!
It was a tough day at school. Every student had a story that needed to be shared. Our attendance was very low, but so far there has been no word of any student deaths. Several have lost their homes.
Ouch, best wishes ku. I hope there's plenty of support for those who've lost so much. There's a tornado season, isn't there? I hope this is near the end of it.
Your kids are the best for thinking of others and not just themselves. I hope your school family is all safe.
Blue, that is very sweet. I will let you know if I hear of an official location. However, the news reported tonight that cash is preferred. That being said, my school is still collecting items. If you want to mail them to me to add to our school's collection, PM me.
Few miles away from me too. We were under a warning all night but fortunately it went around us. I hope you're alright!!
I'm glad you're safe. We had 2 hit our towns last night. One was the north part of town. Damaged an RV/campground and surrounding houses. The second was on the OK side of our town (we're split by AR/OK border), which wiped out a trailer park. No deaths, but several severe injuries. We're about an hour away from you. More rain today, and tons of rain with high winds right now. We're in the hallway again waiting this part of it out. Several regional hospitals and the Red Cross are collecting items in semi trailers to bring when they're full. Clothes, water, non-perishable foods, toys, and such.
Yep and we're right on the boarder in NW Arkansas. The power went out for a short amount of time, but is now back on. I'm not sure if I'll be able to get to school tomorrow. We had a good little river flowing at the bottom of one of our hills when I came home today. One can only imagine what it looks like now!
Our Internet, email and satellite is down at school from the storm. Severe weather is predicted for us again today. Everyone is rounding up radios to stay informed. It's a strange balance ... not wanting to freak out some already-anxious students, but needing to be informed. One of my students was at work, a customer put his body over hers, the building was destroyed and they had to crawl out of the wreckage ... knowing her trauma is breaking my heart.
That's tough. All my boys want to know what will happen if this, if that. I keep telling them that our P and AP are watching and will have us downstairs before it even comes near us. We have our emergency kits ready to grab if more comes. I was able to make it to school today. It quit raining several hours ago, so the creek that we were worried about has gone down considerably since last night. It's a pop-up creek that only appears when it rains heavily. Since where it runs over the road is at the bottom of a steep hill all the water goes that way. I'm worried about some of my students though. I haven't gotten any emails or calls from parents, but students don't start to arrive for another 18 minutes.
I just heard on the radio that there are more warnings for some of the areas so badly hit already--I'm keeping everyone in my thoughts and prayers. Please continue to check in with us and let us know how everyone is doing.
My cousin in Joplin just sent out a text that the sirens are back. She and her boyfriend are at his parent's home after losing their own. That area is just getting hammered. Lots of prayers going up.
How far in advance do you get warnings for tornados? We have a typhoon coming but we get like a week notice.
Around here, a prediction of "severe weather" means that storms may produce tornadoes. So, a weatherman can predict severe weather 1 or 2 days in advance. However, we have severe weather all the time. Doppler radar can indicate rotation occurring, but so far, tornadoes can only be confirmed by sight. Tornado watches = circumstance are such that a tornado can form ... we are under tornado watches a LOT during the spring and summer. Tornado warnings = doppler indicated rotation, or confirmed by sight So, in the moment, at most, 20 minutes.
We had tornado warnings last night, but as far as I know, they were only funnel clouds not touching the ground.
I know the news is full of images, but these photos show before and after: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...rnado-Before-photos-complete-devastation.html
