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OPR Virtual Offices => Office of the OPR Board => Topic started by: Mhayes on April 16, 2012, 02:21:12 AM

Title: 97 Tornadoes
Post by: Mhayes on April 16, 2012, 02:21:12 AM
Hi Everyone,

Yesterday in Kansas we had 97 tornadoes touch down in Kansas. The one that caused destruction in Wichita was a EF-3 and the one in Ellsworth a EF-4. This was probably the most bizarre storm system I have ever witness. I am not used to such advance warning days ahead. In The Wichita Eagle newspaper it said this is only the second time that the Storm Prediction Center had issued a high risk more than 24 hours in advance. Even more bizarre was that yesterday the TV stations around noon (maybe earlier) preempted all programming and it was non-stop weather with no storms happening that early. Watching the TV was like watching for a train wreck to happen and the next thing you know a tornado is headed in your direction around 11 pm .

Not having a basement or a safe room is a disadvantage. I have a fairly high crawl space, but the idea of identifying different kinds of spiders didn't seem too appealing.  So when the sirens went off to take cover and the neighbor called to see whether I wanted to go down in their cellar or flee with them in their truck---I chose adventure and hopped in the truck with Holly and left the cats in a safe place. What seemed so unreal is that the latest thing now is to have weather apps on smart phones that allow you tp view live weather radar tracking the path of the tornado.  It crossed my mind that it would be just my luck to have another cell form and we all get sucked up like in The Wizard of Oz and Holly becomes Toto.

Before all the action I caught Pat Wendt's comment on Facebook:
QuoteOk, now they've got my attention. The Weather Channel just raised us to 9/10 on their chance for tornadoes (Torcon) index. ...better known as the be afraid, be very afraid index

We compared numbers and found out KS was a 9/10. I always feel a kinship with Pat and the numbers aced it for us. While Pat was racheting up the fear factor our own Jan Neil was sending words of comfort that I wouldn't have to pay for air fare for the next copy run---actually her husband said that. Then there is Athol that I had emailed only to tell him I was running for cover. Later he sent me this email:
QuoteGee Margie,
I could ask what you do in your spare time but them again, I know.

I am joking about it now, but do not want to trivalize the destruction and also the loss of five lives in Woodward, OK. To give you an idea of some of the destruction that was around where I live: http://www.kwch.com/ and the Weather Channel: http://www.weather.com/weather/videos/news-41/top-stories-169/chaser-captures-multi-vortex-tornado-26957#loc=41/169/26957

As the storms move to the northeast I hope there is not more destruction. Besides the tornadoes there is also flooding from the storms and I had heard some possible around Joplin. It's been almost a year since the tornado hit there and having seen the destruction first hand; I hope it doesn't happen again.

Margie
Title: Re: 97 Tornadoes
Post by: Candice on April 16, 2012, 01:48:22 PM
Glad you are safe as are all.  Homes can be replaced.  People cannot.

:up2:
Title: Re: 97 Tornadoes
Post by: G3User on April 16, 2012, 08:17:07 PM
It never occurred to me that you could have tornadoes at night, that would be even more  frightening.
The phone app would surely have some value then
Keep posting, at least we know you are all OK

Athol
Title: Re: 97 Tornadoes
Post by: Bambi on April 16, 2012, 11:07:59 PM
This is so frightening. Please be safe, all of you who live in harm's way.

Bambi
Title: Re: 97 Tornadoes
Post by: Mhayes on April 17, 2012, 02:02:57 AM
Thanks Everyone! I really didn't think tornadoes hit that late either and that is one reason I now have a weather radio with an alert set to my area.

Today in The Wichita Eagle one of the pictures was a woman looking at a photo of her grandson: http://www.kansas.com/2012/04/15/2297190_a2297577/cleanup-begins-in-wichita-day.html
I called the editor and they were interested in a story about OPR and getting information out on how to take care of photos. The story may run tomorrow. I'm hoping that if anyone has photos that need restoring a mini-run similar to what Mike has planned in Michigan.

I also realize that we are stretched thin on how many disaster we can cover, but anytime something happens in your neighborhood, I hope we can help. I'm also working on getting colleges involved. More about that later.

Margie
Title: Re: 97 Tornadoes
Post by: Tori803 on April 17, 2012, 11:40:04 AM
Glad you came through the storms okay. A weather radio is a great idea because you can set it to the Alert mode at night and if you're outside away from the TV.

Tori
Title: Re: 97 Tornadoes
Post by: Mhayes on April 18, 2012, 12:53:10 AM
Thanks Tori!

The Wichita Eagle newspaper had a small section in the newspaper this morning about OPR and a link to our forum on how to take care of damaged photos. The paper had planed to run a larger feature, but I missed their call today as I was out of town.

I stopped by Channel 12 (CBS) in Wichita today to give them our brochure and see if they could post or say something to help those hit by the tornadoes on how to care for the photos. They did better than that and gave me an interview and posted it on their website and also a link to our website. Don't laugh when you see me say: "So water is bad." I also gave both Dave and Becky credit as the photojournalist who started OPR, but that was left out. I was pleased with the interview. http://www.kwch.com/weather/kwch-operation-photo-rescue-group-helps-salvage-and-restore-photos-damaged-in-kansas-tornadoes-20120417,0,5038679.story

Margie
Title: Re: 97 Tornadoes
Post by: Marydh on April 18, 2012, 09:11:51 AM
Margie,
You did a great job.   Water IS bad.
Mary
Title: Re: 97 Tornadoes
Post by: G3User on April 18, 2012, 08:13:42 PM
Good stuff Margie though I would like to know how you drink Scotch without water

Athol
Title: Re: 97 Tornadoes
Post by: Mhayes on April 18, 2012, 09:36:15 PM
Athol,

I consider ice cubes to be a  :up2:  :up2:

Margie
Title: Re: 97 Tornadoes
Post by: Hannie on April 19, 2012, 05:43:03 AM
Scotch is bad mmkay?

Hannie
Title: Re: 97 Tornadoes
Post by: G3User on April 19, 2012, 09:03:03 AM
WOT?????????????

Athol