Oklahoma Tornandos

[Cimarron]

Checking in.

We had minimal damage with the back porch taking a little roof damage and we had a water leak come through the ceiling in the house. We seen circulation right above our house with a wall cloud lower but nothing touched down.

The only neighbor that was in need was a rancher that had three colts get out, due to some damage to a pin and the storm scared the horses. He is recovering from two strokes and heart surgery. His wife got called in to the hospital where she works as an ER Nurse.

The kids and I have been out all morning looking for the little strays. Because of the country and rain most of the area we are in is not accessable by vehicle even 4x4's. We have our walkies and have left my 7 yr old with the truck and will take the other two and walk short distances or through a field to then return to the truck. We all have our BOB's and have been refueling with water and energy bars.

Into the morning there has been more neighbors come out and help after they find out who is in need. I wish we all had each other's phone number or was all using radio's with the same channels..oh well maybe this is a good lesson.

[Rmplstlskn]

Never seen a major twister, nor been in one... Only small Florida twisters. I am STUNNED at the destruction those big boys bring in...

Rmpl

[ibetiny]

Sirens going off now, news says one in centertown headed nne, my house in dead center of the projected "cone" on the weather channel. Im at home with my baby and toddler. will know in half hour or so.

[ibetiny]

This ones going to miss us. 4 different tornado warnings at the same time within 40 miles of me. High winds, pea sized hail, rain in sheets, some limbs down, but were going to make it without any damage. Matt in Ok, I know how you felt buddy, stay safe.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

48 tornandoes here. We got the guys stuff collected and moved who I was helping.

This hole contained 6 people and 3 large lab size dogs. Without it they would not have survived, no way with what I saw.

They put on their motorcycle helmets and chest plates to protect them from the debris and hail because they had no top. They almost didnt make it because she was out of gas and they were coming home from work. I was able to plug my "half tank is empty" to agreeing ears.

Things needed if/when you are in it or assist others after the intial hit during the cleanup.
Gloves
Water-lots of it
"no cook" food
eye glasses, for the blowing insulation and debris
trash bags-containers for whats left
tape
stuff to wrap valuables
shovels, hoes, rakes
chains
blankets
jackets
nails, screws and drills
first aid kits, pain pills like motrin or asprin
Prayer
Muscle




We found a dog wandering around bumping into things. He was in shock and had been sucked in and beat up, tossed around and covered in mud. The owner was located a few doors down and he is good. It was weird to see the "zombie eye look" and see the aimless wandering in an animal. Seen it alot in folks who are in shock after trauma of war or weather but never a dog.

We had a homeless squirrel who also seemed to be real confused as the utility trucks began cutting remaining trees and cutting up what was down into managable pieces.

The humor:)

This morning I was raking the debris from the gravel driveway to pull in the trailor and was trying to be careful and not mess up the gravel. A lady was moving a table and hit the wall and apoligized for scratching the wall. Last night the lady who lived there was sweeping the floor, no ceiling but she was sweeping and trying to mop the floor when we stopped her.

You all take care as it moves your way!

[Rmplstlskn]

Man, my mind hurts from pondering what I would do if I lived in a tornado-prone State... It is like gambling and playing the odds... My survivalist side would want an UNDERGROUND home, or a concrete DOME home, but the practical side knows that would cost big money, and one may NEVER get hit by a tornado in their entire life... But all it takes is ONCE... And if I had a "normal" stick house, I would want a big storm cellar to keep my valuables, but what good is valuables if they are boxed away in a hole in the ground and not in the house for use... Tough calls! Scary odds...

It is heart-breaking to see so many pics of people who have lost EVERYTHING but their lives, all their stuff strewn over MILES of surrounding area...

Rmpl

[EX121]

Glad you are safe and able to help out. the pictures remind me of the aftermath of Hurricane Hugo in SC. It is always totally mind blowing the power of wind. Thanks for the list of stuff.

[John smeth]

It might surprise some to learn that residents there aren't as afraid of tornadoes as they think. Yes, there are a lot of tornadoes but they seldom occur over populated areas and it's rare if they become really strong and do a lot of damage.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Governmental Help



I was there and these are reasons to prepare for yourself, call me fringe, call me crazy, whatever i don't care, i have seen it time and time again in multiple countries, help is short and may not be coming for a while. Food, water, shelter, medical supplies, sanitation and personal protection, plain and simple folks, you either got it or you are gonna want it. I'd rather have than want. So simple it screams but instead folks scream names at me for being prepared. crazy world



Federal- we only saw FEMA who showed up on day 2 and stated "separate your home debris from your natural debris like the trees and stuff so we can clean it up". you betcha, we are not doing anything else! Grrrrrr


State -
Day 1" We are here for you and we have applied for funds and declared a state of emergency", lots of helicopter tours for the next few days.
Day 2 State Troopers show up, stand around, try not to get dirty and take pictures, I was told that where the baby was missing they actually worked but it didn't happen where I was.
Day 3 National Guard arrives and provide some assistance in herding cattle, day 3, ?? what happened to reaction timing that we had when i was in? I hear some were in on day 2 up north but not here. I dunno, they say they are short with deployments, oh ok , again another reason to prepare for my own.


Local-
Day 1 Gas gets shut off, dozens of "official" folks tell everyone not to smoke, police won't let me in at the roadblocks but let the reporters in, I walk in with a wheelbarrow full of stuff anyway singing "they see me rollin", Firefighters ask if we are accounted for and go where they are needed
Day 2 Firefighters show up and paint door after asking if everyone was accounted for and what the address is twice, again on day 2. Police tell us to quit working and leave at dark. (Sympathetic)Police won't let me in till someone who lives there comes down and tells them to, but reporters are escorted in and babysitted by police as their personal bodyguards and tourists are later "routed" in a clockwise circle to keep traffic flowing and i'm informed that even though the house is less than 1/2 block from the corner that next time I must drive out of the way in an orderly clockwise fashion so as not to disturb the (tourist) traffic flow. Grrrrrr blood pressure is going up
Day 3 Police tell everyone that come nightfall they will no longer be allowed to stay in remaining structures to protect their property, didn't matter to us we were done but that's gonna be an issue for some. Thats not right, it's still their home and they have the castle law among others that says they can protect it.



Civilians
Red Cross - Cant say enough good about them
High School Volunteers - A+, there may be hope for the future yet!
The People of Oklahoma that showed up to work - made me proud to be from this State
The People of Oklahoma and Elsewhere who showed up to take the scenic tour for photos - you are scumsucking bottom feeders that will pay the price someday! Your in the way and those are peoples lives, not entertainment for you and your reality tv world! No you can not into that families house and take stupid pictures of a roof that doesn't exist, go watch tv and all them babysitted reporters. Grrrrr
The People of Oklahoma who reached into their pocket books, prayed, donated blood, gave stuff to help etc. I Thank You, if no else does I do.
The Medical Professionals - Heroic
Tree Cutters, Gas, Power and all Utilities - You Rock and your compassion was exemplary!

[WiseOwl]

Reason #4,678 that I really dislike FEMA and the Gubment....damn it

Matt, its a blessing for people to have folks like you and the other volunteers....god bless yall out there in that mess

[Rmplstlskn]

Governmental Help

Another GREAT LESSON on why we PREPARE and PROVIDE life-essentials for OURSELVES, rather than trust and rely on outside sources...

This was a relatively isolated disaster (tornado path), where "normal life" still existed just outside that storm path. Imagine if the disaster was NATIONWIDE, or REGIONWIDE... I can only hope people see this stuff and learn the lessons in them...

Rmpl

[BeckyinTX]

Perhaps a sign saying "No Trespassers! Violators will be shot on site!" needs to be added to the list. :) Your doing a great job up there Matt, you make us proud. Keep up the good work!!!