Pray for Moore, OK

[AAOK]

Devastating afternoon F5 Tornado on the ground for over 11 miles. At least 51 have died, several of those children at school. This killer took an almost identical track as the 1999 F5. Over 200 homes completely leveled!

BGCO  Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma best place to donate. Cooking meals, tree and debris removal, and laundry service.

 

[shortdawg]

Praying ...............

 

[jason]

I watched the video of the tornado and immediate aftermath.  It looked like a war zone, literally everything flattened.  Prayers heading that way.


Do most homes in that area have basements?

 

[OKshorthorn]

OklahomaStrong

 

[jason]

Answer my own question, not many basements in Oklahoma.  In Kansas, almost the opposite, in my area everyone has basements or storm shelters.

The stories about the school are heartbreaking.


"Basements are possible, but not very common here in Oklahoma. The reason being is that the soil contains a lot of clay. Thus, it is difficult and extremely expensive to construct basements that can withstand the contraction/expansion of the soil over time. It is also extremely difficult to combat the problems with excess moisture.

Additionally, there has been many closures of public shelters here in Oklahoma. The reasons being that they are difficult to ensure the safety of the public (in the shelter), expensive to maintain over time, and coordinate people to open and manage the shelters during tornado emergencies."

 

[jason]

The photos look just like the Joplin tornado.

 

[OKshorthorn]

20 of the confirmed 51 dead are children. Just awful.

 

[jason]

http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/comment.html?entrynum=2412

Good read about the power of this storm.

 

[jason]

Are you looking to donate to assistance groups to help with the recovery from today's horrible tornado? Several links are below. Please let me know if you would like some added, or if there is reason to remove any links.
Please choose one donation organization below and make a small contribution. Anything helps. I know there's a lot of organizations so it's a little overwhelming, but please choose one.
RED CROSS
Text REDCROSS to 90999 ($10)
This website donation link. If you'd like to specify the Oklahoma tornado recovery, I believe you would write "Oklahoma tornado recovery" in the blank under "make this donation in honor of." I do not believe this is necessary.
1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767); for Spanish speakers, 1-800-257-7575; for TDD, 1-800-220-4095.
CATHOLIC CHARITIES
Tornado relief donations link. Details about Catholic Charities Disaster Recovery Services is available here.
SALVATION ARMY
Text “STORM” to 80888 ($10)
Website donation link here
Call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769)
Mail check to The Salvation Army PO Box 12600 Oklahoma City, OK 73157 (note: you must write "Oklahoma Tornado Relief" on the memo line of the check if you donate this way)
REGIONAL FOOD BANK OF OKLAHOMA
Text "FOOD" to 32333 ($10)
Website donation link here. Note: seems to be nonspecific to this particular disaster, but it seems likely most/all current funds from the group are headed that way.
UNITED WAY
Website donation link here
Send check by mail to United Way of Central Oklahoma, P.O. Box 837, Oklahoma City, OK 73101 (note: you must write "May Tornado Relief" on the memo line of the check if you donate in this fashion)
FEEDING AMERICA
Through its network of more than 200 food banks, Feeding America, whose mission is to "feed America's hungry through a nationwide network of member food banks," says it will deliver truckloads of food, water and supplies to communities in need, in Oklahoma, and will also "set up additional emergency food and supply distribution sites as they are needed." * They do not have a donation link specific to Oklahoma tornado relief, but you can donate here.
OPERATION USA
The international relief group, based in Los Angeles, says it is "readying essential material aid — emergency, shelter and cleaning supplies" to help Oklahoma's community health organizations and schools recover. * They do not seem to have a donation link specific to Oklahoma tornado relief. You can donate through their website here. * Text the word AID to 50555 (Note: this is not necessarily specific to Oklahoma tornado victim relief) * Send check to: Operation USA, 7421 Beverly Blvd., PH, Los Angeles, CA 90036.
Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief
Website donation link
Send checks to BGCO, Attn: Disaster Relief, 3800 N. May Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73112
TEAM RUBICON
Website donation link
Information about the organization can be found here.
Unless you are personally affected by this disaster, please do not go to the following link so that server loads can be reserved for individuals who need to use the website: Please spread this Red Cross website where people can list themselves as safe and well -
https://safeandwell.communityos.org/cms/index.php

 

[DLD]

NWS is saying it is the biggest tornado ever recorded... 2 1/4 miles wide between Newcastle and Moore.  The devastation is heartbreaking.

Please keep those affected by this and the other deadly storms in your thoughts and prayers.

 

[comercialfarmer]

Answer my own question, not many basements in Oklahoma.  In Kansas, almost the opposite, in my area everyone has basements or storm shelters.

The stories about the school are heartbreaking.


"Basements are possible, but not very common here in Oklahoma. The reason being is that the soil contains a lot of clay. Thus, it is difficult and extremely expensive to construct basements that can withstand the contraction/expansion of the soil over time. It is also extremely difficult to combat the problems with excess moisture.

Additionally, there has been many closures of public shelters here in Oklahoma. The reasons being that they are difficult to ensure the safety of the public (in the shelter), expensive to maintain over time, and coordinate people to open and manage the shelters during tornado emergencies."

Many, many of the new urban homes don't.  Something that surprised me.

Most older and rural homes have cellars or basements.  Like the article states, moisture is a problem.  Growing up, my parent's basement would get 2-4 inches every time it rained.

There are some neat little hidey holes that are being built into floors of basements these days that are just big enough for 3-4 people and are metal encased.  I think every home being built should have one.

A lot of people use the schools, malls etc.. but with anything the size of this one, I think you have to be below ground or you're in trouble. 

Bad deal for sure.  Makes you hurt for those mamas and daddies and loved ones.  Seeing the local reporter lose it while giving the story about the kids got me.  :'(

 

[Telos]

Prayers go out to all affected by these storms.

Grew up in this area and the NWS say we'll be under watch again today in the Dallas area later this afternoon.

Wish we could figure out how to build above ground shelters that can withstand the impact of these monsters. As Jason pointed out, clay makes it extremely difficult for underground shelters.

 

[AAOK]

I watched the video of the tornado and immediate aftermath.  It looked like a war zone, literally everything flattened.  Prayers heading that way.


Do most homes in that area have basements?

Very few Basements in Oklahoma due to the red-clay soil.

 

[AAOK]

Death toll this morning at 91, 20 of those Children.

Jason, thanks for posting all the donation info.

 

[CAB]

Heartbreaking devastation!! Our prayers go out to those who are having to endour the over whelming losses and loved ones. God Bless all of you.

 

[firesweepranch]

The photos look just like the Joplin tornado.

That is the same thing my husband and I were talking about last night. We helped with feeding and clean up right after, and looking at those pics brings back some very sad memories. I am just amazed that many people did not have access to shelters or basements with such a bad one 14 years prior....
Very sad, we are praying for those affected here.

 

[chambero]

One of the schools apparently had some type of small basement.  The news this morning is reporting that some of the deaths were drownings in that structure.  You are just in God's hands in a storm this big.  So many things can get you.

We live just east of Wichita Falls.  We have an above ground vault built into our house out of cinder blocks, rebar, and concrete.  I doubt it would have survived this tornado though.  We did have a tornado warning about the same time Moore got hit and my wife, 2 kids, a dog, and 3 cats holed up.  I was driving home and watching my barn camera giving them play-by-play so they would know what was going on outside.  Below is a photo of a small wall cloud that tried to form about 1/2 mile from our house/barn.

We just don't build basements in this part of the world.  We probably don't have a good excuse not to have more storm cellars than we do, but the reality is they do fill up with water, snakes, spiders, etc if you aren't really diligent about keeping them maintained. 

 

[jason]

One of the schools apparently had some type of small basement.  The news this morning is reporting that some of the deaths were drownings in that structure.  You are just in God's hands in a storm this big.  So many things can get you.

I heard that yesterday, it makes you absolutely sick to your stomach.

 

[WKYIronMike]

Praying for everyone there, and all the families, and anyone who ever had to go through something so drastic. Can't imagine how I could deal with it. Anyway I'm praying for you all, God Bless.

 

[jason]

Another reason KD is my favorite NBA player


In a big time of need, Kevin Durant is once again coming through in the clutch for Oklahoma City.
Per the Red Cross, Durant has given a $1 million donation to the Oklahoma tornado disaster relief fund.