All my thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Moore and other areas of OK and KS that have been devastated by tornadoes yesterday and today. As a storm spotter, firefighter, and medic I have seen a lot of bad things and have worked areas like this. God Bless the people who have lost their lives, have been injured, have lost everything, and God Bless all the people who are trying to help. I wish I was there with you.

Firemoose, thank you for your kind words. This is truly sad, as this tornado took almost an identical track as the May 3, 1999 storm that devastated some of these same neighborhoods. Fortunately for our family, we are about 10 miles north of this area and everyone is safe. What a disaster.

If you have never lived through this, pictures will never tell the story. These folks are living through hell. Money to folks like the Salvation Army will be a huge help as they need things now and govt dollars will be a long way off. These folks need things today.

Watauga72 wrote:Firemoose, thank you for your kind words. This is truly sad, as this tornado took almost an identical track as the May 3, 1999 storm that devastated some of these same neighborhoods. Fortunately for our family, we are about 10 miles north of this area and everyone is safe. What a disaster.

I'm glad you and your family are safe. I didn't want to say it in my first post but I knew after watching coverage live and seeing the damage that the death toll was going to be high, all the while hoping I was wrong.

I am a member of a specialized emergency preparedness and search & rescue group and I've been in nearly every hurricane that has struck the US since 1987, I was in OKC 11 hours after the bombing, spent a little over a month and a half total time in NY after 9/11, and have been through dozens of tornadoes. These last three years have been the only years that I haven't spent at least 3 weeks in the plains during peak tornado season due to my knee issues and my father's illness. The only reason I do these things is because I want to help. We all volunteer, first for the training and then to deploy. I truly meant what I said about being there. There are reasons why people are put here and I have always felt mine was to help people, especially in their time of greatest need. All my thoughts and prayers to everyone affected.

Moose, I, like you am a medic and firefighter. I have worked these horrific events in both capacities. My prayers are being sent to all the people of the region and the first responders. The devastation, injuries, and recoveries provide memories that no person should have to endure. Thanks for all the prayers being sent.