Disaster In My Region: AW Check In Thread (Tornadoes, Floods)

[Ol' Fashioned Girl]

I hope we hear from our folks in the area soon... time for a roll call.

 

[mirandashell]

So there was a tornado near Chicago?

 

[Alessandra Kelley]

Yes. The citywide tornado sirens went off about quarter to one o'clock, local time, and kept going for about forty minutes.

We spent the time in the basement.

All we got was rain, torrential rain, black-and-green skies, and hours of severe winds. The winds have kept gusting, although it's much clearer now. We even had sun for a bit.

I hear they had to clear Soldier Field during the (American) football game, but that the game went on after the storm passed.

The National Weather Service says ten tornadoes touched down in Illinois, including some in the south suburbs of Chicago.

Indiana and Kentucky have also been clobbered by the same system.

 

[Siri Kirpal]

Sat Nam! (literally "Truth Name"--a Sikh greeting)

Yikes! Prayers sent to all now without shelter.

Blessings,

Siri Kirpal

 

[shakeysix]

I talked to friends in Urbana, Illinois. They had terrible winds but the worst part of the storms went around them. Their daughter in Indianna is okay but said she had complete strangers seeking shelter in her house during the worst of the storm. They are trying to get in touch with a grandson in Washington, Illinois. Does anyone know anything about Pekin or Washington? s6

 

[Ambrosia]

Only that they got hit hard, Shakeysix. The pictures from Washington are showing massive destruction.

 

[amergina]

The same front is supposed to hit western PA between 9 and 10, though somewhat diminished in strength. We're on a high wind advisory until tomorrow morning.

 

[shakeysix]

I have been out all day. Only heard about it when I turned on the TV. I saw Urbana all marked up and called. My friends are in their eighties and do not watch television. I have since seen the pictures and wow-- I am hoping that Calvin checks in soon. Grandma and Grandpa are worried for good reason--s6

 

[shakeysix]

Calvin checked in. He was at his grandfather's farm this afternoon so missed the tornado. He works downtown and doesn't know if there was damage to his workplace. His school in Peoria seems to be okay. Glad he thought to check in. His grandparents are too old to worry like that. Prayers for everyone's families--s6

 

[Ambrosia]

I am so glad Calvin checked in and is alright, Shakeysix. That is wonderful news.

 

[Siri Kirpal]

Sat Nam! (literally "Truth Name"--a Sikh greeting)

That's a blessing, shakey!

Blessings,

Siri Kirpal

 

[Alessandra Kelley]

Are UK members OK? The wind storm, tidal surges, and flooding look pretty bad.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-25220224

 

[Kylabelle]

I'm sure this must be affecting lots of folks. This report says the storm surge expected is the largest in thirty years: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-25228654

Thinking of my friends over there, you all be safe and stay dry!

 

[mirandashell]

We're ok. The East Coast has been through this before as it's flat land. And the flood defences are pretty good now. Some people have been evacuated but there's a lot of grumping about the storm being hyped and 'I've seen worse. When I was a kid......' and 'Back in my day we wouldn't leave the house til it was up to our necks! Don't know you're born these days....'

As for the West Coast, it is also used to high tides. So nothing special.

 

[stormie]

miranda--glad you checked in. The news here on this side of the Atlantic says how it's the worst storm Great Britain has ever had.

The midwest here in the US is having a lot of snow and ice, with many without power.

 

[Chase]

The midwest here in the US is having a lot of snow and ice, with many without power.

Thanks for your stormie central, Stormie. Lots of snow and freezing temperatures this morning in Oregon. It's still coming down. Could be a white Christmas.

 

[mccardey]

We're ok. The East Coast has been through this before as it's flat land. And the flood defences are pretty good now. Some people have been evacuated but there's a lot of grumping about the storm being hyped and 'I've seen worse. When I was a kid......' and 'Back in my day we wouldn't leave the house til it was up to our necks! Don't know you're born these days....'

As for the West Coast, it is also used to high tides. So nothing special.

That's the spirit. Churchill would be proud

 

[Siri Kirpal]

Sat Nam! (Literally "Truth Name"--a Sikh greeting)

Thanks for checking in, Miranda. Glad it's not too terrible.

Snow here in Oregon. But no wind, thank God!

Blessings,

Siri Kirpal

 

[Mr Flibble]

Are UK members OK? The wind storm, tidal surges, and flooding look pretty bad.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-25220224

One of the few days I'm glad I don't live by the coast!

Have been in touch with Priene - there were evacuations near him, but he seemed to have escaped OK.

 

[mirandashell]

Ah good. Glad to hear Priene is ok.

To everyone who is not in Britain, we don't really have the mad extremes of weather that other people get. Thank the gods we don't get tornados like the US or hurricanes like the Philippines. We don't get earthquakes like Japan or monsoon rain like India or ice storms like Alaska and Siberia.

So when our media says 'it's the worse storm ever!' it is, for us. But it's nothing even close to Katrina or Sandy.

Thank you for all the good wishes though.

 

[chompers]

I live in the most tornado-prone area in the world. And today everyone is stuck home due to a ice storm.

But I still love it here.

Glad to hear everyone is safe.

Doesn't Singapore like have no natural disasters at all?

 

[Kylabelle]

Miranda, I was reading that there were hundred mile an hour winds with gusts up to 140, which is hurricane strength, hence my concern.... But very glad you are okay. I know how weather people like to overdramatize too. Hard to know what's of real issue when they do that!

 

[mirandashell]

Yes welll.... they said it was up to 140.....

It was falling trees that killed the three people that died. And flood water that caused most of the damage. But yeah, the media do love to act like it's the end of the world! But you only have to look at Tacloban to know how lucky we are for living in a temperate zone.

 

[Kylabelle]

Indeed.

 

[benbradley]

There's a hugely long line of storms going across the US today and headed toward the East Coast. It's just gone over Nashville, and is expected here (Atlanta/North Georgia) early morning before sunrise. The area is under a Flood Watch and forecasts are for storms, "some could be severe," but I noticed Birmingham is under a tornado watch. After the initial storms it's supposed to rain all day tomorrow.

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/12/21/us/winter-weather/index.html?hpt=hp_t3