May tornado discussion

[snoopj]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfdK6H9d6J0&feature=youtu.be[/youtube]

New Joplin video from storm chaser Jeff Piotrowski. Seeing the end of the video reminded me a lot of Mike Bettes' breakdown on camera. It's made me realize that I'd never have the "stuff" to be a first responder after a disaster. I would need way too much therapy after being the first to a scene like that.

[HurricaneBill]

Death toll from Joplin tornado has risen to 151.

[wx247]

I just had a long cry after watching that video. I thought I was enough removed from the situation that I could handle watching that video. Obviously, I couldn't.

[Florida1118]

Powerful video. Hopefully the public watching videos like this will spark some weather preparedness and no more ignorant "It wont effect me" thoughts.

[Stephanie]

I saw this posted on Facebook and then I requested to be friends with Jeff. My first thought was the reaction Mike Bettes had as well. I didn't realize until I read Jeff's FB page later that when Kathy was screaming for him to back up, they just witnessed a van being sucked up and thrown into a pole that was just ahead of them. The two women were alright.

I can't even imagine how helpless I would feel coming across these poor people. Comfort and knowing someone is there is a help I suppose.

The owner of that dog did come and get him later. They kept him in their truck and dried him off.

[wx247]

This is perhaps the worst thing I have heard of post-disaster in quite a while. How horrible!

http://www.joplinglobe.com/local/x18477 ... tims-cited

[CajunMama]

I read on the Joplin Info Page on fb that a woman found her cat alive underneath the rubble of what was her house. 16 days that cat survived!!!!! Here we go, i found a newspaper article about it.

http://www.joplinglobe.com/tornadomay2011/x300517675/Family-cat-found-alive-in-rubble-16-days-after-twister

[bvigal]

That was such an uplifting story!!

[Stephanie]

I read on the Joplin Info Page on fb that a woman found her cat alive underneath the rubble of what was her house. 16 days that cat survived!!!!! Here we go, i found a newspaper article about it.

http://www.joplinglobe.com/tornadomay2011/x300517675/Family-cat-found-alive-in-rubble-16-days-after-twister

Great story!

I saw that other story about the fungus earlier in the day. Can anything else happen to these poor people?

[bvigal]

I just had a long cry after watching that video. I thought I was enough removed from the situation that I could handle watching that video. Obviously, I couldn't.

I so wanted to post something to you yesterday. Without getting into detail, let me say I understand how you feel, because I've seen plenty of dead bodies. Please cry all you need to, it's healthy, or talk to another CERT volunteer, or a professional first responder. Everyone needs to release the feelings before they start to do harm. Helping your fellow volunteers talk about it can be theraputic all the way around, maybe get together for a beer or two and 'talk shop'.

[wx247]

Thanks... I appreciate it bvigal. I used to laugh when I was called the "Tornado Magnet" by Donna (aka: isobar) on here. Now after three tornadoes close by in just a few years (all EF3 or higher) I can safely say I don't relish that title any longer.

[Texas Snowman]

Death toll from Joplin now up to 153.

From @TORNADOHUNT: "With death toll in Joplin rising to 153 today, 2011 becomes 5th deadliest tornado year in US History with 538. 4th deadliest is 1927 = 540."

[Stephanie]

I just had a long cry after watching that video. I thought I was enough removed from the situation that I could handle watching that video. Obviously, I couldn't.

I so wanted to post something to you yesterday. Without getting into detail, let me say I understand how you feel, because I've seen plenty of dead bodies. Please cry all you need to, it's healthy, or talk to another CERT volunteer, or a professional first responder. Everyone needs to release the feelings before they start to do harm. Helping your fellow volunteers talk about it can be theraputic all the way around, maybe get together for a beer or two and 'talk shop'.

Great advice!