Joplin tornado

Gn2Dlnd · 05-23-2011, 12:06 AM

Grandma lives in Joplin. It looks like her neighborhood, 15th and Range Line, is all but destroyed. My cousin Tess, who is going through cancer treatment lives in Joplin. My aunt Lyla, cousin Jamie, aunt Susie, and all their families, live in or near Joplin.

The Weather Channel is reporting many fatalities. St, John's hospital, where my grandfather died, sustained massive damage. The Walmart across the street from my grandmother's house was destroyed. Long John Silver's and all those little drive-thru restaurants you see next to the road were apparently reduced to their foundations.

On Twitter, I did a search for Joplin, and within the first few posts I found footage someone shot, holed up inside a convenience store with about a dozen other people when all hell breaks loose. Absolutely terrifying to watch.

My mom has only received a text from my Aunt Lyla (grandma's younger sister, my mom's age) that grandma (and her dog) are "with people," and that her house was damaged. Jeebus criminey. No word about any of my other relatives.

Phone lines are down, the local news websites aren't streaming live, but the taped aftermath footage is horrific.

This thread on Fark says that while the major cable news networks were showing their Sunday afternoon crap, the Weather Channel had a reporter there, who happened to be doing a piece on storm chasers, and lost it, on air, when witnessing multiple fatalities.

The tornado is being classified as an F5, reported as being a mile wide, and dropped medical records from St. John's over 75 miles away.

Although none of my relatives were followers of Harold Camping and his ilk, the coincidence of yesterday's jolly worldwide Rapture party, combined with the reality of what happened today to so many folks who live smack-dab in the buckle of the Bible belt, is more than a little disconcerting.

I'm horrified for my family and their neighbors, and I can't think of a single thing to do.

wendybeth · 05-23-2011, 01:36 AM

I am absolutely horrified reading your post, Gn2. I have a niece and great nieces in the area, and I am worried about them as well. Few things frighten me as much as a tornado- We got hit by a smallish one, and that was pretty scary. I've been through earthquakes, squalls, even a volcanic eruption- but that tornado scared the bejesus out of me. Let us know if there is anything we can do to help, okay? Be it Red Cross, or a more locally intensive fund or donation drive- I will gladly do what I can to help. Big hugs to you, mister.

3894 · 05-23-2011, 05:25 AM

My heart goes out to you and your family, Gn2Dlnd.

Betty · 05-23-2011, 07:30 AM

Gn2 - thinking of you and your family and hoping that everyone is okay.

That video was very upsetting.

mousepod · 05-23-2011, 08:24 AM

Gn2Dlnd - That is absolutely horrible news. Please let us know if there's a local charity there that's helping out. You be strong for them - and we're here for you.

Ghoulish Delight · 05-23-2011, 08:46 AM

What a horrible situation, for your family and for everyone else out there. I hope the news gets better from here for them.

katiesue · 05-23-2011, 09:04 AM

So sorry to hear. Thinking of you and your family and I hope they all check in soon

JWBear · 05-23-2011, 09:05 AM

<<HUGS>> Hang in there.

€uroMeinke · 05-23-2011, 09:11 AM

I hope everyone is soon accounted for and doing well

BarTopDancer · 05-23-2011, 09:16 AM

It's just horrible.

Doesn't Sam (Scrooge) live in MI?

I know that very few here are fans of country music but the radio stations out here are doing a lot for the tornado victims in AL and now MI, setting up with already established community organizations to help. KFRG and GoCountry105. There is an organization called soles4soles that I linked to in the end of the world thread that is taking shoe donations.

05-23-2011, 12:06 AM	#1
Gn2Dlnd Parmmadore Jim Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Casita del Queso Posts: 3,810	Joplin tornado Grandma lives in Joplin. It looks like her neighborhood, 15th and Range Line, is all but destroyed. My cousin Tess, who is going through cancer treatment lives in Joplin. My aunt Lyla, cousin Jamie, aunt Susie, and all their families, live in or near Joplin. The Weather Channel is reporting many fatalities. St, John's hospital, where my grandfather died, sustained massive damage. The Walmart across the street from my grandmother's house was destroyed. Long John Silver's and all those little drive-thru restaurants you see next to the road were apparently reduced to their foundations. On Twitter, I did a search for Joplin, and within the first few posts I found footage someone shot, holed up inside a convenience store with about a dozen other people when all hell breaks loose. Absolutely terrifying to watch. My mom has only received a text from my Aunt Lyla (grandma's younger sister, my mom's age) that grandma (and her dog) are "with people," and that her house was damaged. Jeebus criminey. No word about any of my other relatives. Phone lines are down, the local news websites aren't streaming live, but the taped aftermath footage is horrific. This thread on Fark says that while the major cable news networks were showing their Sunday afternoon crap, the Weather Channel had a reporter there, who happened to be doing a piece on storm chasers, and lost it, on air, when witnessing multiple fatalities. The tornado is being classified as an F5, reported as being a mile wide, and dropped medical records from St. John's over 75 miles away. Although none of my relatives were followers of Harold Camping and his ilk, the coincidence of yesterday's jolly worldwide Rapture party, combined with the reality of what happened today to so many folks who live smack-dab in the buckle of the Bible belt, is more than a little disconcerting. I'm horrified for my family and their neighbors, and I can't think of a single thing to do. __________________ Does anyone still wear a hat?
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05-23-2011, 01:36 AM	#2
wendybeth Nevermind Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,847	I am absolutely horrified reading your post, Gn2. I have a niece and great nieces in the area, and I am worried about them as well. Few things frighten me as much as a tornado- We got hit by a smallish one, and that was pretty scary. I've been through earthquakes, squalls, even a volcanic eruption- but that tornado scared the bejesus out of me. Let us know if there is anything we can do to help, okay? Be it Red Cross, or a more locally intensive fund or donation drive- I will gladly do what I can to help. Big hugs to you, mister. __________________
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05-23-2011, 05:25 AM	#3
3894 Next Stop: Funkytown! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Cheeselandia Posts: 1,907	My heart goes out to you and your family, Gn2Dlnd. __________________ "I didn't want to have to do this, but you leave me no choice. Here comes the smolder." - Flynn Rider, "Tangled"
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05-23-2011, 07:30 AM	#4
Betty Kicking up my heels! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The Silver State Posts: 3,783	Gn2 - thinking of you and your family and hoping that everyone is okay. That video was very upsetting. __________________ Nee Stell Thue
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05-23-2011, 08:24 AM	#5
mousepod You broke your Ramadar! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,635	Gn2Dlnd - That is absolutely horrible news. Please let us know if there's a local charity there that's helping out. You be strong for them - and we're here for you. __________________ "Give the public everything you can give them, keep the place as clean as you can keep it, keep it friendly" - Walt Disney
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05-23-2011, 08:46 AM	#6
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	What a horrible situation, for your family and for everyone else out there. I hope the news gets better from here for them. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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05-23-2011, 09:04 AM	#7
katiesue Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Diego Posts: 4,678	So sorry to hear. Thinking of you and your family and I hope they all check in soon __________________ My life is so exciting I can hardly stand it.
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05-23-2011, 09:05 AM	#8
JWBear Worn Romantic Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Long Beach California Posts: 8,435	<<HUGS>> Hang in there. __________________ Unrestrained frivolity will lead to the downfall of modern society.
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05-23-2011, 09:11 AM	#9
€uroMeinke L'Hédoniste Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: A.S.C.O.T. Posts: 8,671	I hope everyone is soon accounted for and doing well __________________ I would believe only in a God that knows how to Dance. Friedrich Nietzsche
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05-23-2011, 09:16 AM	#10
BarTopDancer Prepping... Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Here, there, everywhere Posts: 11,405	It's just horrible. Doesn't Sam (Scrooge) live in MI? I know that very few here are fans of country music but the radio stations out here are doing a lot for the tornado victims in AL and now MI, setting up with already established community organizations to help. KFRG and GoCountry105. There is an organization called soles4soles that I linked to in the end of the world thread that is taking shoe donations. __________________ Spork is the new MacGyver Postcards From My Edge
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