BREAKING: Huge Tornado Tears Through S. OK City ("2 Miles-Wide," "MASSIVE CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE")

[Hissyspit]

Last edited Mon May 20, 2013, 09:20 PM - Edit history (24)

Source: CBS News / CNN



A woman carries her child through a field near the collapsed Plaza Towers Elementary School in Moore, Okla., Monday, May 20, 2013. (AP Photo Sue Ogrocki)

Massive tornado slams Oklahoma City area

By Nick Valencia. Catherine E. Shoichet and Dana Ford, CNN

Shawnee, Oklahoma (CNN) - A powerful tornado blasted an area outside of Oklahoma City on Monday, ripping roofs off buildings, leveling homes and leaving a massive band of destruction in its wake.

In the desperate seconds and minutes after the storm passed, the human toll was not yet clear.

Survivors emerged from shelters to see an apocalyptic vision -- the remnants of cars twisted and piled on each other to make what had been a parking lot look like a junk yard. Bright orange flames roaring from a structure that was blazing even as rain continued to fall.

- snip -

"Our worst fears are becoming realized this afternoon," Bill Bunting, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Storm Prediction Center, told CNN soon after the tornado struck.

@CBSNews: MT @NEWS9 UPDATE: Large tornado just crossed Western on 19th street Moore, OK. If you are in this area you need to take your precautions now

@CBSNews: RT @DavidBernardTV: #Tornado coming into #Moore. Cars on highway. Terrifying. @CBSNews http://t.co/sPWTCosJdI

@BreakingNews: National Weather Service issues tornado emergency for Moore, south Oklahoma City - @TWCBreaking http://t.co/qh4Q22EaSM

@CBSNews: LIVE BREAKING NEWS VIDEO: Live aerials of very large tornado passing near Oklahoma City http://t.co/tuG23cIC7w (via @NEWS9)

CNN: Schools completely leveled.

@CBSNews: MT @KHOULily This is a school where kids were trapped when tornado hit OKC. There are no words. http://t.co/VuLkVPBIvj (via @NEWS9)

@BuzzFeedAndrew: Farmer being interviewed on KFOR: "There's maybe 75-100 dead horses."

@adolwyn: Multiple reports of cars crushed on I-35 with people trapped in them from scanners. I-35 is closed both directions. #okwx.

KFOR: "Absolute chaos." Witness: "Third-graders being pulled out now."

@911BUFF: BREAKING NEWS OUT OF OKLAHOMA: 2 SCHOOLS COMPLETELY DESTROYED IN MOORE, OK. 3RD GRADERS BEING PULLED OUT OF PLAZA TOWER SCHOOL RIGHT NOW

@CBSNews: RT @CharlieKayeCBS: BREAKING. CBS-TV Affiliate KWTV reports multiple fatalities in the Moore, Oklahoma area from today's tornado.

@GeminiTiger86: The middle of a leveled neighborhood. Trapped people are calling for help https://t.co/rsK3YcwewZ

@samsteinhp: Photos from the destruction in Oklahoma http://t.co/mWkq4bcHx4

@JoshElliottABC: Spokesperson at OU Medical Center, which has received 7 patients but expects more, said in describing injuries: "You can probably imagine."

@McClatchyDC: Photos, video of tornado damage in Oklahoma as search continues for missing elementary students: http://t.co/mEDnrBPd0p

@AP: AP PHOTO: A woman carries her child near collapsed Plaza Towers Elementary School in Moore, Okla. http://t.co/ss3FRFrhv8 -RJJ

@AP: Rescue workers lift children from rubble of elementary school in Moore, Okla.: http://t.co/rE6WV3cI32 -RJJ

@ABC: #LatestOnOK: No confirmed fatalities yet, but Lt. Gov. says to expect them - "neighborhoods have been wiped away"
http://t.co/9qPEIDLw2z

@cnnbrk: 6 confirmed dead near Oklahoma City after #tornado. http://t.co/HNbaRcbk1k More on http://t.co/28h13hUrqq, CNN TV & CNN mobile.

@AP: More than a dozen kids among 60 people being treated for injuries at hospitals following tornado: http://t.co/X1WnAcwFjO -RJJ

@AP: BREAKING: State medical examiner's office: 37 killed in Oklahoma tornado; death toll expected to rise -RJJ


Death toll rises to at least 51 in Oklahoma tornado -state agency

May 20 (Reuters) - The death toll from a huge tornado that struck Moore, Oklahoma on Monday rose to 51, the state medical examiner's office said.

Amy Elliott, chief administrative officer of the Oklahoma medical examiner's office, said 51 were confirmed dead, up from 37 fatalities reported earlier.

The powerful tornado, rated the second highest strength level of EF4 and packing winds of up to 200 miles per hour (320 kph), touched down at mid-afternoon and devastated a wide area of the town.

(Reporting By Brendan O'Brien; Writing by Greg McCune; Editing by Bill Trott)


Read more: http://us.cnn.com/2013/05/20/us/severe-weather/index.html

---

[riverwalker]

1. EF5 200 mph winds 2 miles wide

praying for those in OK

[Daemonaquila]

8. So, so not good.

Hoping people duck and cover in time.

[PNW_Dem]

54. Global Warming is a Hoax

Several years ago, Oklahoma Senator James Inhofe stated, "I have offered compelling evidence that catastrophic global warming is a hoax.” I wonder what he has to say about this monster tornado?

[maxsolomon]

57. He'll say no one specific weather event can be linked to Climate Change.

As do most scientists who believe it's happening.

Nothing will change Inhofe. He's there to stop change from happening any way he can.

[csziggy]

87. "Inhofe. He's there to stop change from happening any way he can."

Too bad he isn't willing to help stop the causes of climate change...

[maxsolomon]

115. He has invested too much rhetoric in claiming it's a hoax.

He will never back down. Only retirement or death will end his obstinance.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

116. Changing your position is a sin in DC...

That opens you up to charges of being an unreliable flip-flopper.

[Civilization2]

67. yes as a pot starts to boil the turbulence increases markedly,.

the lie that big oil sells is so clear it is transparent.

[KatyaR]

2. Looks like there may be multiple tornados in the same spot.

South OKC/Moore's getting hammered, pretty much the same spot as it did years ago.

[Blue Owl]

3. That's an F6

Which stands for:

FUCK, FUCK, FUCK, FUCK, FUCK, FUCK!!!

[dorkzilla]

11. Thanks for the translation!

Very appropriate!

[Blue Owl]

14. That's what I'd be saying if I were running to the basement...

Meanwhile, I hope the folks in OK were hunkered down safely...

[LiberalFighter]

27. Ummmmm

[Poll_Blind]

4. Holy crap, if this thing lasts any longer it's going to get its own Twitter account

PB

[texanwitch]

5. I was watching the clouds moving from the south last night over my house in Houston.

The clouds were moving north very fast.

I knew today would be bad.

Watching the news on CNN is scary.

That is a hugh storm.

[a la izquierda]

6. Sobbing crying...

I lived there for 8 years and we have so many friends in the path.

[Gormy Cuss]

13. I hope that your friends and everyone else in its path stays safe.n/t

[marmar]

7. I'm watching it now. Terrifying.

nt

[dorkzilla]

9. Martin Bashir is covering it now...

It is truly terrifying.

[Bosonic]

10. Yikes!

Livefeed: http://www.news9.com/category/207228/po

[0rganism]

15. those are some ugly-ass clouds

makes me really appreciate the mellow lazy rainclouds we get in Oregon

[lillypaddle]

12. OMG

This is heartbreaking. Take cover folks - be as safe as you can.

[NutmegYankee]

16. It hit an elementary school in Moore.

Oh please, I hope the children have gotten to safety!

[BadgerKid]

33. They have staggered school schedules

there, meaning some school may have been out while others were in session.

As far as I can glean thus far, two elementary schools and one junior high school were affected.

[bvar22]

17. Hoping for the best for our friends in Oklahoma.

There are a lot of good DUers in that area.

[Hissyspit]

18. CNN Showing Live Footage Close-Up of Tornado Damage - Whole Houses Missing People running around th

CNN Showing Live Footage Close-Up of Tornado Damage - Whole Houses Missing

People running around through debris.

Terrible.

[rl6214]

19. Unreal...prayers for those in that area

I've got a niece that lives just south of there

[mike_c]

20. watching the live feed from the air, awful destruction, schools, homes, hospital, etc....

Moore, OK.

http://kfor.com/on-air/live-streaming/

[bvar22]

21. CNN with helicopter feeds.

I'm speechless.
The damage is incomprehensible.

[rdking647]

22. kfor says it looks like 2 schools destroyed

this looks like it may be worse than the 1999 storm that devastated the same area

[Behind the Aegis]

23. Tornado warning in our area...clearing the closet now. Take care!

[NutmegYankee]

24. Stay safe!

[Behind the Aegis]

101. We're safe. Thanks for thinking of us.

[freshwest]

108. I was thinking of you both when I heard this. Some tough days ahead in OK. Take care of everyone.

[Behind the Aegis]

110. Thanks. This was a strange two days. I am thankful we were so lucky.

[freshwest]

112. The UK Mail article posted by Tx4obama says these storms will continue up OK tonight. Be careful!

[dbackjon]

28. Be safe!!

[Behind the Aegis]

102. All is well in the Aegis home tonight. Thanks for keeping us in your thoughts.

[Wait Wut]

29. Damnit.

Check in when you can, 'k?

[Behind the Aegis]

103. Doing fine. No damage. We were very fortunate.

[Solly Mack]

30. Thinking of you! Take care and stay safe!

[Behind the Aegis]

104. Thanks! We are safe, just a few lingering lightning strikes.

[qanda]

31. Peace and safety

[Behind the Aegis]

105. Thanks. Haven't seen you in a month of Tuesdays.

[qanda]

117. I'm not sure why I haven't been around as much

I never thought I would be missed. DU has really grown and I don't recognize many people around here anymore. Hope all is well.

[Marrah_G]

34. Please be careful

~hugs~

[Behind the Aegis]

106. We are all doing fine. We were spared the worst. No damage at all.

[siligut]

35. Be safe

[Behind the Aegis]

107. We did!

Thanks for thinking of us.

[Skittles]

39. BE SAFE MY SWEET

[Behind the Aegis]

97. We are safe.

We were very fortunate, we only had high winds, blinding rain, and fierce lightning, otherwise known as a typical Oklahoma storm. One tornado was a little too close for my taste (15 miles south).

[Skittles]

98. I'm in north Texas

was surrounded by those tornado devils a couple nights ago

[Behind the Aegis]

99. Oh, so you know what a mess this all is!

I am just hoping this is it for awhile, two days of this was more than enough.

[Skittles]

100. well I think the OK folk definitely are more tornado savvy

but yes we do get some frightening storms - so much of the country just sees Texas as HOT but the weather here is unbelievably varied

[nolabear]

47. Oh, do take care! Hold on.

[Behind the Aegis]

95. We were fortunate. No damage at all.

Still, I'd rather deal with a hurricane!

[LiberalFighter]

25. Just saw the local news broadcast of the tornado and they had their Governor on

She made imo a stupid statement. Something along the line of if you are going to live where there is bad weather Oklahoma is the place to live. Because their citizens are the most generous.

[Cha]

38. great. If you're going to live where torandos blow.. I

hope they have storm cellars!

My grandparents lived in Eastern Colorado on the Plains when I was in high school and they had cellar for emergency situations.

[AngryOldDem]

63. I'd give her a pass.

If you're going through something of this magnitude, I think it's understandable that things may not come out sounding exactly right.

[triguy46]

91. this is a woman who left the state

when the President was making a visit to avoid having to see him. There was not one repug present last summer during the visit. She knows she has to depend on the Feds and the Pres and it galls her. No, there is no pass for her.

[cosmicone]

75. That's like saying

"if you are going to be murdered with a bullet, it is best if you get murdered near a funeral home."

[kestrel91316]

85. That generosity, unfortunately, doesn't extend to the eastern seaboard's residents.

OK will fail to see the irony in how they respond to this and how they responded to Sandy.

[uppityperson]

26. Streaming at this link.

http://kfor.com/on-air/live-streaming/

Crying at my house across the country

[Marrah_G]

32. The footage is horrifying

[caseymoz]

36. This looks like a horror show.

Woman was in her bathtub with her two kids and it stripped the entire house away around them.

[deutsey]

37. Just heard kids may have been in lock-down at the schools that were levelled

Oh, God...I hope not.

[bvar22]

41. Lock Down, Duck and Cover...

... is not a bad idea if there is no time to seek proper shelter.
Much better than having everyone running around in 200 mph winds and debris.

[deutsey]

45. Agreed

It's just that the school was flattened by the tornado. The idea of those kids in there when a direct hit happens...sigh.

It's sounding like some of the kids survived, though. I hope so.

I wonder why the school wouldn't have had an underground shelter, especially after 1999.

[triguy46]

92. So the better response during a tornado threat...

is to turn them loose? Not sure I understand why keeping them and not releasing them was anything but the best response.

[deutsey]

113. Based on the responses here, I obviously wasn't clear

Probably because I found the news so upsetting and wasn't thinking straight. I have kids in school and can sometimes personalize stories like this.

My hope was that the kids had been moved from the school to some safer place (preferably an underground shelter) as the tornado approached.

[Hissyspit]

40. @GeminiTiger86: The middle of a leveled neighborhood. Trapped people are calling for help

@GeminiTiger86: The middle of a leveled neighborhood. Trapped people are calling for help https://t.co/rsK3YcwewZ

[GreenStormCloud]

42. A few years ago Moore, OK, set a record for highest wind speeds ever measured on earth. N/T

[Hissyspit]

44. I have a feeling it set a new record.

[Behind the Aegis]

43. Live feed

http://www.ktul.com/category/261938/live-video-severe-weather-coverage

[Warpy]

79. There is also a live feed at MSNBC

if that site is overloaded. It's linked on the front page, KFOR.

[nolabear]

46. I just don't know what to say.

What a terrible thing, in what seems sometimes to be an unending string of terrible things.

[Loryn]

49. Sometimes there are no words.

This is horrific. Thoughts with the people of Oklahoma.

[AgingAmerican]

48. Give global warming five years or so

Then we will have 4-5 mile wide tornadoes running around reeking havoc.

[daleo]

51. You aren't supposed to mention that

It's like mentioning cancer around smokers - it's not polite.

[kentauros]

60. There's nothing wrong with mentioning it.

The big question is how do you protect yourself from the results? Basically, you don't. We have to "live" with this, and make the best of it, including helping those devastated by disasters like this, and especially to stop politicizing disaster relief.

[daleo]

82. Disaster relief is essential, I would never argue otherwise.

But global warming is a product of human behaviour and entrenched political and economic paradigms. The first step towards change is to recognize those facts. When disaster strikes that can reasonably be connected to global warming, it should be stated with no apology. That is what eventually leads to change.

[MNBrewer]

50. Hit a hospital too, I guess.

[Hissyspit]

52. Photos, video of tornado damage in Oklahoma as search continues for missing elementary

@McClatchyDC: Photos, video of tornado damage in Oklahoma as search continues for missing elementary students: http://t.co/mEDnrBPd0p

[GreenStormCloud]

53. Several other tornadoes are developing/developed.

They are in a line from west central Texas, thru Oklahoma, the corner of Kansas, and into Missouri. As the sun goes down, supercells tend to get worse. We are going to be in for a rough night in our part of the country.

[aaaaaa5a]

55. Does this mean OKlahoma will need help from the mean, evil, socialists, Federal Government? nt

[Posteritatis]

56. Already dragging it there, huh? (nt)

[aaaaaa5a]

70. Absolutely 100% YES.

Let me add that Oklahoma is already a welfare state and not a donor state. (This means they receive more money from the Federal government than what they pay in taxes)

So I guess they won't be needing any assistance. After all, they already owe the mean, evil, liberal blue states (the majority of which are donor states) plenty of cash anyway.

[kestrel91316]

86. The RW dragged it "there" after Sandy, and "there" it still sits.

Don't you go blaming DUers who bring up that little fact.

[AgingAmerican]

59. Republicans will demand they pull themselves up by their bootstraps

...as they lay bleeding, moaning, trapped in the wreckage of their home or place of work.

"Dig your own ass out" is what republican "rescuers" will taunt them with.

[aaaaaa5a]

71. The GOP has no problem saying this when New Jersey needed help.

I wonder how the right wing GOP legislatures from OK will vote now?



Everyone hates the Federal Government until they need it.

[AngryOldDem]

64. So I guess you've already made a contribution to offset that heartlessness, right?

Let's not go there right now.

[aaaaaa5a]

73. And that's the problem with our side. Its never the right time "to go there."

Do I need to remind you that the GOP held up aid to New Jersey? How did the Oklahoma representatives vote on aid to the Northeast?


If this isn't the "right time to go there." Then neither was that time. But it didn't stop our Confederate states from holing up hurricane aid.... did it?

[AngryOldDem]

76. Whatever.

I really don't give a shit about who did what to whom and what side people are on right now.

Sorry.

[KingFlorez]

65. Of course they will

Whenever disaster strikes a red state, the conservative hypocrites never fail to have their hands out. Both of Oklahoma's senators voted against Sandy relief, but you can bet their be begging like a hobo on a corner now that their state had a disaster. Disgusting hypocrites.

[aaaaaa5a]

74. My point exactly. Thank you. Oklahoma is already a welfare state anyway. nt

[AgingAmerican]

58. At least this Kitteh is alright!

It will take more than a tornado to stop this Kitteh!!

[Dreamer Tatum]

77. 24 sets of parents will breatrhe a sigh of releif for the "kitteh"

Jesus.

[Hissyspit]

84. The devastation to domesticated animals in the storm path

is just as real, and affects the humans as well.

It's not an either/or thing.

[AgingAmerican]

88. Every survival is a victory

IMO.

Tornado: "Mirror mirror on the wall, who's the toughest of them all"

Kitteh appears in mirror

Tornado: "Noooowooowoooooo!!!!"

-AgingAmerican

[siligut]

90. I really like this

The kitten vs. the tornado and the kitten wins

[LanternWaste]

114. Quite often those small accomplishments of providence that allow many people hope

Quite often those small accomplishments of providence that allow many people hope are minimized by even smaller acts of petulant pretense.

"Jesus..." Indeed.

[The Stranger]

81. Any survivors are reason to be thankful.

Sometimes Mother Nature stays her powerful hand.

[AgingAmerican]

89. Losing a pet can be devistating to a kid, elderly person or a family

Finding that pet (in this case, Kitteh) is a victory for everyone involved EXCEPT the tornado.

[freshwest]

109. Lives saved in disaster are doubly precious. I'm sure many other living beings didn't survive this.

[SCVDem]

61. They are asking for prayers?

This is the Bible Belted! If prayers were any good, this would not have happened!

I am waiting for Pat Robertson, (Falwells dead), to blame this on their immoral lifestyle or a gay person living there.

I am truly sorry for the loss.

Please keep this in mind when we get the quakes in California, hurricanes on the eastern seaboard or other disasters.

Preachers are the first to blame the people who live in these areas.

BTW, how many times are we going to rebuild places like Moore? They have been repeatedly hit in the last 20 years.

I am upset, mad and sorry for your loss. NOW can we take climate change seriously?

Just heard a mom and kids died. Damn!

[triguy46]

93. How many times to rebuild in Moore??

That is really a silly statement. With 50% of the worlds population living within 5 miles of the ocean and sea levels rising, and hurricanes and typhoons?? And tornadoes repeat tracks how often? What of Cleborne Texas last week, should those people not rebuild in Cleborne? Twice does not rise to "repeatedly." Miami and NOLO are more aptly to be described as that, but not Moore OK.

[SCVDem]

94. Not silly

Many homes on the east coast will not be rebuilt due to rising sea levels.

Miami and Manhattan are going to need protection.

Too big to move.

At least build shelters underground!

[lovuian]

62. OMG

I'm shocked!

[DeSwiss]

66. K&R

[txwhitedove]

68. Horrible, so sad for the families. We have family there. I grew up in Midwest City, know all those

streets. Just horrible. I'm crying for Oklahoma and tragedies like this know NO politics.

[Marrah_G]

69. The reporter just said the school site was switching from rescue to recovery

reporter was crying

[Warpy]

78. The direct hit on the school is utterly heartbreaking

Only the littlest kids were inside, the upper grades had been evacuated to a church 1/4 mile away.

I feel sick. I hope they're wrong about the number of dead.

[Hissyspit]

80. CNN Breaking News - Medical examiner's office: Tornado outside Oklahoma City kills at least 10 peopl

CNN Breaking News - Medical examiner's office: Tornado outside Oklahoma City kills at least 10 people. Watch live coverage on CNN TV. Reply STOP 2 unsub

[Hissyspit]

83. @AP: More than a dozen kids among 60 people being treated for injuries at hospitals

@AP: More than a dozen kids among 60 people being treated for injuries at hospitals following tornado: http://t.co/X1WnAcwFjO -RJJ

[Hissyspit]

96. @CBSNews: RT @NEWS9: LOST PETS: Makeshift triage area for lost and injured pets set up at Moore Home

@CBSNews: RT @NEWS9: LOST PETS: Makeshift triage area for lost and injured pets set up at Moore Home Depot. #okwx

[Fire Walk With Me]

111. Oh my God...