My sister is a teacher in OKC.

[Aerows]

I was scared to death for her, her husband and her two children, but they are okay. I don't know what to say right now, other than to be blessed that family members call, and I can say "they are okay."

My heart goes out to those who cant.

[Demoiselle]

1. I am so glad to hear that, Aerows. Prayers for all from here.

[Aerows]

5. Thank you

It makes me sad to the bone when a schoolteacher drowns with 20 of her kids. My sister would have drowned first before any of her students did. It's an upsetting damn episode. I thank heavens for the people that managed to get the kids to safety.

[Wednesdays]

16. The news has corrected the "drowning" story

As it stands now, the death toll is seven children died at Plaza Towers school, from "blunt trauma" injuries.

[Aerows]

19. How did they get 20 drowned

out of that?

Lord, our media are ridiculous if they got 7 children with blunt trauma (which is bad enough in itself) and turned it into 21 drowning victims.

Good grief.

[sharp_stick]

2. I'm happy to hear they are OK

I'm lucky in the same way, my family is pretty quick when something bad happens nearby.

[Aerows]

3. The phone has been ringing of the wall

but it is because everyone cares. I am extremely blessed that I have so many people calling to find out if my sister and her family are okay.

My mother and I had coffee this morning, and we were in tears thinking of those children and a school teacher dying.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. Ah, that IS good news...

I'm glad they're OK.

[Aerows]

6. Good for us

Sad for those in the tragedy.

I went through Katrina from start to finish, but tragedy when it involves blowing everything away is only evaluated in how many family members are still there.

Because that is all that matters.

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. Glad to hear it

[Aerows]

8. Thank you

It is with immense grief that I look at how they will rebuild their community. I'm just immensely thankful they are around to do it.

[TexasProgresive]

9. Great news

and thank your sister for me. Teachers and nurses are the best!

[Aerows]

10. You can't imagine

How great of news it was that my two nieces, my sister, and my brother-in-law were alright. My mother, father and myself were on pins and needles waiting for information.

[Aerows]

11. I haven't heard yet

from my sister. Her school was closed today, though, and she kept the kids inside.

[fishwax]

12. last night I was very grateful for facebook

Being able to check on my Oklahoma people quickly and efficiently was quite a relief. Some of them couldn't respond to texts on their own phones, but were able to get word to someone else who posted the news of their safety on their facebook page.

I'm glad your sister and family are okay.

[Aerows]

13. I was worried

about my sister, my irritating brother-in-law and my two beautiful nieces.

[fishwax]

14. I'm glad they're all okay

[malaise]

15. Great news

[Aerows]

22. Thanks, malaise

I was on pins and needles waiting until she called. My heart goes out to those that didn't get the call that I did "Everything is alright, we are all still here".

Who cares about houses or buildings - knowing the loved ones are okay is the most important thing in the universe.

[Wednesdays]

17. Relieved to hear about people who are okay

We have friends in Moore, and the 1999 tornado missed their house by just 600 yards. Almost exactly the same with yesterday's storm.

[Aerows]

21. Glad your friends are okay, too

It's awful waiting for news wondering if your friends and family are okay.

[Behind the Aegis]

18. Glad to hear your family is safe.

My partner's parents live in OKC (we are in the NE corner of the state, above Tulsa). We are all OK, as well. But, I hope many people see your post because I have seen some nasty, hate-filled comments here regarding the disasters in Oklahoma. People need to remember we have DU'ers in all states, DU'ers have loved ones in all states, and when a disaster strikes, many come to DU for solace, not condemnation and ridicule. We often hear how conservatives are so hard-hearted until something happens to them, it is a shame to see self-professed liberals and progressives acting the same way!

[Aerows]

20. Amen

I live in a Red state, and I have family in Red states. That doesn't mean that hellfire and brimstone needs to be rained upon my head just because I live here.

I'm just happy my family made it through the horrible storms. I love *all* of my family members, even those that don't necessarily vote like me, love like me, or pretty much do anything like me - but they are family members, and I care regardless.