Tornado hits Joplin, mo

this is just horrible.these poor ppl.My heart goes out to all of them.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWNwZ1IY2p0

think this is a shot flying from I44 north up thru town

 

yes its a big mess there and my daughter told me they are having another one.Search and rescue cant even get out to do their jobs right now.

 

The tornado passed about 10 blocks south of my home... but luckily no damage at my location. I'll never forget the sound... like a freight train as I've heard people say. The experts say it was an F4 and F5 in some spots. SW Joplin is "gone" as is most of the central portion of the Range Line Rd business district. One of our two major hospitals has been severely damaged... took a direct hit. Four fatalities occurred in the hospital when it was hit. My workplace is intact, but needs extensive repairs. No idea when we'll reopen. Several of my friends and coworkers have pretty much lost everything. The truck stops at I-44 Exit 4 are fine... it passed about 5 miles north of there. 116 confirmed dead as of about an hour ago. Traffic around Joplin is horrid... go around and stay out if you possibly can!

 

just got a text message from my daughter and they are under another tornado warning...

 

The truckstops at the 4 are supposed to be fine. That was probibly taken at the Flying J at exit 11. Not much was supposed to be left at that location accept the coolers.

Actually I just checked on another thread. In the accident reports thread they have info on the truck stops.

 

Evening everyone!
That afternoon defined my entire summer trip w/ my dad. We were on our way from Harlingen, TX to Saint Clair Shores, MI. Just the coincidence of being there at that time gets me. I wanted to stay at the Flying J because of the free shower we had earned earlier that day at the J in Jarrell, TX. We had run out of hours right then and there and we were contemplating whether we should stay at the Flying J x11 or the petro x4. My dad told me at the petro to show me the chrome trucks that he saw a couple trips earlier. That choice probably saved our lifes. Not 10 minutes after getting into the hole the tornado sirens started blaring. Keep in mind that was my first time being in a tornado. Down in this part of TX not much happens only once in a while a hurricane. The sirens blaring and the sky got pitch black. Truck started shaking and actually saw the funnel cloud believe it or not. All i can say is wow...weird how being tired goes away with such a sight. All the fatigue of the journey from New Braunfels, TX to Joplin, MO gone in a second. After the storm ended little did i know that would be one of the deadliest tornadoes in american history. Just the destruction that i saw is just unimaginable. I have one question: was anyone else there at the Petro that day???

 

That is pretty lucky chairman. I know what you mean, once that adrenaline kicks in, your more awake then ever and it has been said that there is no drug that does what pure adrenaline can do! I will be one to agree with that!