Any members in Oklahoma?

I'm just so concerned by the images and news coming in about the hurricane.

I just am hoping that our members are safe if anyone is in the area.

And of course thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected.

I heard about the children and started to cry. It broke my heart.

To everybody who are in the paths of these monsters, you are in our thoughts and prayers.

I am in Oklahoma for my granddaughter's high school graduation. The storms hit about 20 miles away. We got strong winds and rain but thankfully, no injuries. The response is so amazing. People know what to do here and no one plays around with these storms. My uncle-in- law's granddaughter lost her house but the family was away, so again, thankfully, no injuries.

Praying for all the families who lost babies. The school personnel did everything the way they should have. Because of the composite of the ground here, there are very few buildings with basements. Many people have storm cellars but if it hits close to my daughter, she only has a bathroom (built on the interior of the house with no windows). Like most other houses, that's all she has.

I know that there are few buildings there that have basements (I always thought that was odd, but that's because we're so used to having a basement). On the rare times when we are in a tornado watch around here (central Pennsylvania), we'll gather the cats up in their carriers and I'll go into the basement with them until the worst of it is over.

I'm glad you and yours are safe, Ondine.

The TV footage is really tough to watch. Lots of going that way.

It is absolutely heartbreaking to watch and I can't even begin to imagine the trauma and terror that the community and families are dealing with. I worry for all of the cats/dogs/pets as well. I am very concerned.

Glad you are safe, Ondine.

I have a few friends in Oklahoma.  One couple in the area of the storms.  They are safe and sound.  They sheltered in the closet of a house they moved into just 4 weeks ago.  I'm having a hard time following the rescue efforts because of all the children lost.  

Basements aren't very common around here either; at least not for anything new construction.  Only once have we had to shelter in our master closet.  I told DH if we ever move; I want a basement.  Where I lived when I was younger; everyone has basements.  I'm really not sure if we don't have as many here because of the ground conditions or because the frost line just isn't that deep so they don't "have" to dig down and put all that in.

My sister lives near Moore. This is the second time a massive tornado has come fairly close (within 15 miles) to her house.

An EF5 tornado is known to chasers as "The Finger of God"

I saw a cell phone video on TV this morning that was taken by a teacher who was protecting some students in a bathroom.  In the first part of the video you can't really see anything but you can hear the kids screaming and the tornado tearing the school apart.  After the tornado has passed, the video shows the damage that was done to the school and the teacher is very shaken by what she sees.

I live in OKC, about 10 miles north of Moore.  It's so sad, especially the children.  Now people are finding their dogs in the rubble, a week later. It's amazing how resilient they are ...

We heard some wonderful stories come out of Joplin after their tornado.  I think it was a member here that was doing specific rescue work to reunite those pets with owners.  I know I had chatted about Joplin with a few other moms of kids close to my DD's age about it; they were local to that one.

I'm glad to hear you are ok.  

Yikes, l'm listening to the Oklahoma news live. This is so upsetting to see these poor people having to go through this again.

Sending many prayers that everyone is okay 

Andrya said:

Yikes, l'm listening to the Oklahoma news live. This is so upsetting to see these poor people having to go through this agai

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Unfortunately, when you live in tornado alley, this is a yearly occurrence. I had two small vortex signatures on radar about 2 miles from my house last night headed my way, but they turned and dissipated before they got any closer. I live on the eastern edge of tornado alley.

Prayers from Denver

Kitty mommy hope you are all right

Catspaw66 hope you sister is all right, too!

Heard from my daughter late last night. She was home but worried about flooding. Hopefully, we will hear some more news from her soon. The tornado hit her town but I do not know where

I'm keeping everybody in my thoughts and praying that you're all safe. 

Sorry for the loss of the children in Ok. You all have been through alot and then a second tornado. Bless you. Maybe you ought to move to Ohio.None here so far in my 51 years of life.

My sister and BIL had to drive away from the path. My BIL works at Tinker AFB, where radar prediction of tornados was invented in March, 1948.

Catspaw66: so glad to hear your sister is safe. My daughter had some minor flooding but all else is well with her. Several of her friends and co-workers were affected, though. She is used to it but I can't imagine living there!

I'm glad everyone is ok.  This last tornado hit VERY close to some of my friends.  There is damage in their neighborhood; but they are ok and that is what matters.