Author Topic: Missouri Hit Bad (Read 1429 times)

Spirithawk · « **on:** May 22, 2011, 04:56:12 PM »

We are getting wicked bad storms tonight. The city of Joplin, Missouri just northeast of here is no more. A devastating tornado leveled the whole town just minutes ago. So far we are safe here but under tornado warnings and the storms have very large hail. Emergency crews are just getting to Joplin and 24 confirmed dead already. One reporter stated that there were 10 over turned semis in just one spot blocking the highway. The highschool was destroyed and it's reported they were having graduation tonight. One of the two hospitals was destroyed. Wal Mart and Home Depoy are completely gone as are homes and almost every other buiseness and building. My prayers go out to anyone who lived in Joplin and their families. My home is somewhat sheltered by a rock bluff so nothing much I can do but ride it out. See ya on the flip side......SH ^i^

bigMikeA · « **Reply #1 on:** May 22, 2011, 05:09:48 PM »

hunker down and good luck. praying for everybody there.

mechanic · « **Reply #2 on:** May 22, 2011, 05:14:20 PM »

I've friends near there. I pray they're ok, and that you will be too.

Ben

Old Fart · « **Reply #3 on:** May 22, 2011, 05:17:26 PM »

I have an old boy scout buddy who lives in Joplin.
His wife is a doctor.
I heard the hospital may have been hit also.
Don't know if it's the one she works at.

Spirithawk · « **Reply #4 on:** May 22, 2011, 05:29:14 PM »

It was St. Johns hospital that was hit. Tore the roof completely off. They only had 5 minutes warning. Patients were transfered to the other hospital and as far as Oklahoma. They are finding medical reports and checks from the hospital in neighboring towns. Gas leaks are a major concern now. I'm so so in the clear now. Least for the time being. I pray your friend and his wife are both safe.

Conan The Librarian · « **Reply #5 on:** May 22, 2011, 05:54:32 PM »

Spirit hawk:

Did you make it OK? I hope so.

We had our own distractions in Minnesota so I was paying attention to that instead.

Best wishes in any case.

Spirithawk · « **Reply #6 on:** May 22, 2011, 06:30:21 PM »

I'm ok folks. Got some high winds but no damage. Not out of the woods yet but I think the worst is past. Right now just some wicked lightning so I'd best shut things down. Thanks for the kind thoughts and prayers.....SH ^i^

FourBee · « **Reply #7 on:** May 22, 2011, 07:37:29 PM »

SH: Glad you're okay. I've been watching this thing from Oklahoma all evening. One last storm finally disapated before it got to my place. They're calling for more tomorrow. I'm getting tired of this.

Spirithawk · « **Reply #8 on:** May 23, 2011, 05:18:11 AM »

Thanks everyone. Well, it's morning and I'm still here. Storms still all around us though. Was suppose to go get an xray today but think it can wait till storms pass. Joplin, what's left of it, is now expecting golf ball sized hail. 89 confirmed dead. Several are missing. I'm tired of these storms too but not much ya can do but hunker down and ride them out.

Conan The Librarian · « **Reply #9 on:** May 23, 2011, 05:37:06 AM »

Glad to know you are OK. I wish the rest of Joplin had fared better. The news is just coming out now about how bad the casualties and destruction are.

Bad year for storms, that's for sure. That one in Joplin has got to set some kind of record. That, plus the tornadoes at the beginning of this month add up to a very bad year.

Old Fart · « **Reply #10 on:** May 23, 2011, 05:56:47 AM »

Hunker down sounds like a good idea.
I hear we have more coming today possibly.
Be safe brother.

Spirithawk · « **Reply #11 on:** May 23, 2011, 06:23:06 AM »

Thanks, you be safe too bro. The tornado through Joplin cut a 6 mile swath. News said the worst tornado since 1953. That's the year I was born so worst in 57 years. Just showed Al Roker there. He was reporting and in a matter of seconds it got dark, and I mean DARK! Lightning started big time. You could tell he was scared crapless and in a hurry to NOT be standing there holding onto a microphone! They even told him to put it down and get to shelter. It's calm here at the moment. 10:20 am and looks like 9 pm though. Still under severe storm watch and straight high winds a danger. Here around Branson, Hollister and Forsyth flooding is a big problem. Hotels are full of people who's homes are under water. Boat docks destroyed or somewhere way down stream. Still considering building an ark.

Sometimes ya gotta laugh to keep from cryin'

Brett · « **Reply #12 on:** May 23, 2011, 08:29:11 AM »

All those crazy people who bought bomb/storm shelters in the past few years may not be so crazy after all. You folks all keep your heads covered and we will be praying for you.

Old Fart · « **Reply #13 on:** May 23, 2011, 09:15:20 AM »

I remember the first tornado I went thru.
I was about 10 or 11.
I had seen several before but this was the fisrt time up close and personal.
We hid in a large storm culvert in the front yard.
It was about a 4 foot square job, it went right over us.
Cut a V shape widge out of a large pecan tree right next to us.
And yes it sounded like a frieght train.

The pictures posted on the web remind me of the F5 that plowed thru OKC a few years back.

I just looked at radar and it looks like you guys are in for another day of storms. Be safe.

AtlLaw · « **Reply #14 on:** May 23, 2011, 09:38:59 AM »

I heard about this on the news this morning and my first thought was of you diganeli. Glad y'all are okay!

Graybeard · « **Reply #15 on:** May 23, 2011, 11:14:24 AM »

It sounds like you guys are getting pounded like we did on April 27. The thing that made the 53 tornados that hit Bama that day so bad was the long track of so many of them. One stayed on the ground for over 350 miles I believe they said. Most were long track tho staying on the ground for many many miles.

Folks are still trying to dig out down here. I still don't have telephone service restored.

It is amazing the damage a tornado can do. The scenes they show on the news make it look like a war zone after the bombs and artillery finished.

Spirithawk · « **Reply #16 on:** May 23, 2011, 11:43:01 AM »

Thanks for the kind thoughts and prayers. Storms are still hitting here but nothing like last evening. I just heard on the news that debri from Joplin was found as far away as St. Louis. That's around 200 miles away! Also just heard that they just rescued 7 more survivors so in all the tradgedy there's still a bit of good news. Folks in my imediate area are being warned of even more extensive flooding. Not if but a matter of it's gonna happen and soon. I'm on high ground so fairly safe. Might be blocked from getting out but no hurry to go any where. My home is also somewhat sheltered by a limestone bluff which helps block some wind. I saw the video the man and his wife, storm chasers, took. The tornado was massive. There are various reports of how wide a path it cut, from 1 1/2 mile wide to 3/4 mile wide but all agree 6 miles long through town. A few ladies were found ok inside the Wal Mart ladies bathroom. It was the only part of Wal Mart left standing. Prayers go out to those already hit hard and those still in peril. The folks of Joplin can sure use them. Prayers to those in your area too Mr. Graybeard sir.

PS. Just heard. The counts up to 116 fatalities. Tornado classed an EF-4

Hooker · « **Reply #17 on:** May 23, 2011, 01:33:21 PM »

Spirit hawk looks like your going to get another round of storms.
You and yours stay safe knee mail on the way.

Pat

Spirithawk · « **Reply #18 on:** May 23, 2011, 02:12:48 PM »

Been storming since early yesterday. Still coming down but thankfully just rain and lots of lightning. They just said 1,000 treated at just one hospital. Broken gas lines the worry now. Dang, just looked at current radar and not a pretty sight. Nothin to do but ride it out.

powderman · « **Reply #19 on:** May 23, 2011, 03:17:51 PM »

SH. Prayers sent friend. Charlie.

Sourdough · « **Reply #20 on:** May 23, 2011, 08:11:35 PM »

Just saw on the news this evening (Monday) you got more coming tomorrow. Get ready to hunker down again. Good luck and let us know how you make out.

hillbill · « **Reply #21 on:** May 24, 2011, 01:19:16 AM »

joplin is a mess, i was there yesterday.the power of that storm was unreal. ive heard 7000 houses were destroyed.it will be years bfore its back to normal.

magooch · « **Reply #22 on:** May 24, 2011, 03:55:16 AM »

There ought to be a lot of work for carpenters, electricians, plumbers, roofers, insurance guys etc.

All of this confirms what I've been saying for years. There ain't but a handful of places in this country where the weather is worth a damn. But then we have to worry about earthquakes, and volcanoes.

Sourdough · « **Reply #23 on:** May 24, 2011, 09:36:24 AM »

I live in the only state that does not have Tornadoes. Told the wife If we do move south I am building a Tornado, Wild Fire, Blizzard, proof house. I will not live in the lower 48 in a regular stick home period. I want a house where if the power goes out for two or three days the pipes won't freeze. If a wild fire comes through, it will burn over without affecting the house. A house where if a Tornado comes through it will go right over without destroying the house.

I can not believe people are not building more Earth Sheltered Homes. Some day people are going to take notice of differant building techniques and start building responsibly.

Does the term Tornado Ally ring a bell? Rog

guzzijohn · « **Reply #24 on:** May 24, 2011, 10:29:58 AM »

Quote from Sourdough:

Quote

A house where if a Tornado comes through it will go right over without destroying the house.

I can not believe people are not building more Earth Sheltered Homes.

I really do not think it is possible to build an affordable residence that will withstand the forces of a powerful tornado like what hit Joplin. Maybe if one could buy and refurbish one of the old cold war missile silos around here. My home has an all concrete "safe room" built under my front porch. That may help but all else will be gone when you come out. About 20 years ago a town of about 3,000 (Hesston, KS) was hit hard by an estimated F4/5 tornado. Filled concrete trucks were tossed more than a block, underground fuel storage tanks emptied, so on so on. Even an earth home would probably loose it's roof and most contents destroyed. A very strong earth home with a dome style roof might be your best bet. Mother nature still controls us!
GuzziJohn

AtlLaw · « **Reply #25 on:** May 24, 2011, 10:36:50 AM »

Quote from: Sourdough on May 24, 2011, 09:36:24 AM

I can not believe people are not building more Earth Sheltered Homes.

Geeeeeze Rog! I didn't go through umpty-nine thousand years of evolution just to move back into a cave!

guzzijohn · « **Reply #26 on:** May 24, 2011, 11:18:00 AM »

A cave would work. I just always thought they would be such a decorating challenge, but then so would a missile silo.

GuzziJohn

Spirithawk · « **Reply #27 on:** May 24, 2011, 01:32:30 PM »

I know of a local house an elderly couple built years ago. The wife was deathly afraid of tornados and yet the house sets atop a hill.

Anyhow, the walls are concrete and 3 foot thick. Inside the walls, mixed in the crete, are old steel bed frames, car axils, plows and anything they could find made of iron and steel. Talk about a bunker! I'd feel safe in it though!

We have another systom moving in now. They are saying it could be another bad one. Joplin, they think, will get the edge of it. Today the weather was clear and search efforts intesified. Looks yellow out right now. I'm hearing of many just plain missing. One family battered but safe except their 16 month old baby is missing. The little boy was ripped from his mother's arms. Families are desperately searching for loved ones and hopefully some will be found in one of the many hospitals the injured were taken to. Meanwhile FEMA set up here in Branson to help the countless flood victoms. No matter where ya live you have to deal with Mother Nature on her terms. Just now heard that 11 were killed in a nursing home and 7 in Home Depot. Haven't heard a count for Wal Mart yet but there are bound to be some. Did hear a few women were found alive in the Ladies Room, the only part of Wal Mart left standing. Hearing stories of heroism and bravery as well as tragedy. Missourian's are tough. Just heard too, changed the category to an F-5 with winds in excess of 200 mph!

hillbill · « **Reply #28 on:** May 24, 2011, 02:17:48 PM »

Quote from: Sourdough on May 24, 2011, 09:36:24 AM

I live in the only state that does not have Tornadoes. Told the wife If we do move south I am building a Tornado, Wild Fire, Blizzard, proof house. I will not live in the lower 48 in a regular stick home period. I want a house where if the power goes out for two or three days the pipes won't freeze. If a wild fire comes through, it will burn over without affecting the house. A house where if a Tornado comes through it will go right over without destroying the house.

I can not believe people are not building more Earth Sheltered Homes. Some day people are going to take notice of differant building techniques and start building responsibly.

Does the term Tornado Ally ring a bell? Rog

im with you on the underground homes.but they do have their challenges. your home site needs to be well drained and proper drainage installed around the walls before backfilling.they need to be air conditioned in the summer here because of the humidity. other wise your closets and carpets will gather mold.yu can use a dehumidifier but it takes almost as much juice as a small air con unit.my next house i build will be a partial underground unit with metal roof and lots of bolts and screws attaching the trusses.if yu can keep the roof on yur way ahead of the game.underground homes are awesum during the winter power outtages we have here, but if your useing wood heat and build it tooo tight yu will need a fresh air pipe to keep your stove burning.

Pat/Rick · « **Reply #29 on:** May 24, 2011, 04:33:54 PM »

SH glad your okay! Keep us posted.

Lots of folks needing prayers.