Stay safe my friends

If this has been posted or is in any way inappropriate please feel free to remove it mods.

I just woke up and the news is dominated by the tornado in This thread

I just wanted to say to all our ATS friends and foes alike living in any peril whatsoever, but especially those in wake of this, I hope you are all safe and well. My thoughts are with you today and I feel privileged to be a member on a site where so many come together to support others in a time of crisis.

May your God or beliefs protect you all.

Cody

reply to post by cody599




Very cool Cody.

I always wish the best for others.

I get pissy at times but when the 'shtf', I try to help. Sometimes it's not possible to physically help but you can always send a few kind words. Sometimes knowing that we are thinking about you can help people be stronger.

Thoughts and prayers to all those affected.

My thoughts are equally with all our brothers and sisters and their families and loved ones from ATS right now who may be in the area where this has happened.

Take care.

Kindest respects

Rodinus

Me 3 everyone stay safe and my prayers will be with you double to-day.

Thanks cody your a wee star i wouldn't have known about this as i never watch the news cos it always sucks and i end up throwing shoes at the tv so iv'e been band from the tv room lately

I would like to take this oppertunity to add my best wishes to all who have or might be caught up in the meteorological insanity that has spawned in recent days. Prayers and thoughts wing thier way to the heavens as we speak. I hope they are the only thing that makes the trip.

Originally posted by TrueBrit
I would like to take this oppertunity to add my best wishes to all who have or might be caught up in the meteorological insanity that has spawned in recent days. Prayers and thoughts wing thier way to the heavens as we speak. I hope they are the only thing that makes the trip.

TrueBrit that is possibly the most poignent and beautifully crafted post I have ever read on ATS. Thank you for gracing my thread with it

Cody

I didn't realize how bad it was until this morning

My heartfelt prayers go out to everyone effected.

WHY
DO
PEOPLE
LIVE
IN
KNOWN
TORNADO
HOT
SPOTS?

I will never understand this. It's like building a city on a fault line and NOT expecting earthquakes.
And, if you DO choose to live in such a spot, why would you build anything other than concrete or underground homes? Mind bogglingly simple. I weep for the loss of life, but even more for the fact that it could have been prevented.

reply to post by Gazrok


Ya know the first thing I looked up today was why aren't homes in Oklahoma built with basements?

Storm shelters should be provided as well it seems. Another thing I read though was that people don't take tornados too seriously sometimes. They get the warning and don't seek shelter. The school, broke my heart this morning. I had no idea. Shows how much news I watch.
I did read an article from natural news as well about how they could have prevented this with adequate shelter. You can't prevent natural disasters but you can sure prepare for them.

My heart does go out to all who were affected by this.

-nat

reply to post by natalia


At the very least, you'd think these folks would have built a small, underground storm shelter (like the one at the home in the first scene of Twister), if not a basement...when living in such places.

These tornadoes have been going on a while though...why the hell were kids in school?

They get the warning and don't seek shelter.

That is maddening to me. We occasionally get such tornado warnings during hurricanes, and you can bet we heed them. We have storm drills occasionally too, simply because we have SO much to deal with if there is a sudden storm (even if just a nasty thunderstorm). (we have to not only ensure our safety, but that of the animals as well). We even park our trucks more in the open yard away from possible debris like branches, etc.

Now, before you tell me about practicing what I preach, my area has never had more than slight damage from the storms, and a hurricane can engulf an entire state, vs. the prime tornado target cities.

reply to post by Gazrok


Just a very simple question to people that are living in the United states :

Does anyone know why houses are not made from bricks in some states? i mean, it is not as if the material to make bricks is not available?

I feel so deeply sad for all those people (and especially the children that have lost their lives)...

Instead of lobbying for guns n stuff and bitching about the last/present/future president, maybe people should think about the more fundemental things in life... such as lives!

Kindest respects

Rodinus

reply to post by Gazrok


Another problem with that area is a lot if not most don't have basements.
My wife says it is because there is a lot of limestone and the ground is to hard, but you would think that in tornado ally people would blast holes at least for some sort of shelter.
When we were in Texas and were under a tornado warning, I went outside and watched because there was no where else to go.

Might as well enjoy the view!

Makes no sense in that area to not have a basement or storm shelter, which most don't.

Originally posted by Rodinus
reply to post by Gazrok

 

Just a very simple question to people that are living in the United states :

Does anyone know why houses are not made from bricks in some states? i mean, it is not as if the material to make bricks is not available?


Kindest respects

Rodinus

Many of the homes destroyed were made from brick, but you have to remember that is just a facade. When facing 200 mph winds, it just will not help.

The only 2 solutions are underground or concrete reinforced buildings. And even with the concrete reenforcement, it's debatable it would survive winds that strong.

reply to post by OneisOne


Thank you OneisOne for your reply.

However, you have to admit, that people who live in this area who are aware of the risks should have some kind of knowledge about personal and public protection against this type of current event?

I cannot understand why the state or town or city or whatever have not taken the correct precautions and built at least a couple of community shelters (if they have not been built already!) or triggered some kind of early warning system to the general public to take cover? Even we over here in Europe knew that this was going to happen just by watching the main evening news!

I just don't understand sometimes!

Kindest respects

Rodinus

I live in texas and it is hotter than jupiter outside! Grrrr.....I want rain!

reply to post by Rodinus

It is reported they had about a 15min warning the tornado was forming, but how do the authorities get people to take it seriously? I've seen members on ATS mock others for taking such warnings seriously.

I agree there needs to be community shelters and I also believe that buildings in tornado prone areas should be better built. Unfortunately those are costly investments that many can not afford. My husband works in the concrete industry and we still can't afford to build an in-ground storm shelter. Material costs are too high.

reply to post by OneisOne


Please accept my humblest apologies for not having responded earlier Oneisone...

You must admit though, it's strange that over here in Europe we are aware of what is happening in the States or what is going to happen as regards to the weather by our own news stations?

Thus meaning that sadly and even though people had a 15 minutes warning beforehand, they were actually aware that there was a serious threat by the bias of US tv and local weather reports?

This is what i cannot understand... why can't people at least take some kind of simple precautions such as evacuating the area for a couple of days, or if they do not have the ability to evacuate... at least not send their kids to school... stay at home or try and get to the nearest safe underground shelter, car park etc...

However deeply saddening the loss of lives may be, and my thoughts go out to all of those who were, or are affected, i just cannot help but say to myself that so many lives could have been saved by just basic common sense and maybe a little community help.

Kindest respects

Rodinus

reply to post by OneisOne

It is reported they had about a 15min warning the tornado was forming, but how do the authorities get people to take it seriously? I've seen members on ATS mock others for taking such warnings seriously.

I take them (tornado warnings) seriously. That means one was spotted in the area. My immediate response (if home) is to make sure everyone is clear on the plan (I've seen a couple, so know the noise to listen for, etc.). If elsewhere, I mentally locate the most inner and secure spot, and get to where I can get to it quickly.

Now, tropical storm warnings or hurricane warnings for less than a Cat 3, I don't take as seriously as far as danger, but we do take steps to ensure the animals are safe, loose items secured, cars safe (in the open, away from trees), etc.

I do know a lot of our admins are in that area. I just hope they have shelters in their homes (or at least plan to add them if they don't). I just can't imagine living in those tiny little red zones (getting more than 15 tornadoes per year) without it.

reply to post by OneisOne

My husband works in the concrete industry and we still can't afford to build an in-ground storm shelter. Material costs are too high.

Yes, but do you live in one of these red or dark orange areas? (11 or more tornadoes per year)



If not, then probably not worth the investment. If you do though, I'd think the investment well worth making. Or, if you have a basement, you may be able to reinforce it, or even make a safe room in the house for less.

reply to post by Gazrok


We live in the yellow and we do think it would be worth it.