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--I remember that Jarrell tornado--happened on my birthday--The Jarrell Tornado was a rare F-5,250 mph winds---One whole family ran to another safer bigger house than their own--They were all killed anyway--a real tragedy--tornado cellars are your only defense--no one has ever been killed in a tornado cellarMy heart hurts for these poor people who have lost so much. I hope that through donations and other ways we can help them rebuild their town. If we can help do that then perhaps we can help them to heal from this tragedy, too. This reminds me of the Jarrell tornado on May 27th, 1997. I was there doing a search, and it was very challenging to be there. Gosh, these poor people. They are in my thoughts and in my prayers.
--I remember that Jarrell tornado--happened on my birthday--The Jarrell Tornado was a rare F-5,250 mph winds---One whole family ran to another safer bigger house than their own--They were all killed anyway--a real tragedy--tornado cellars are your only defense--no one has ever been killed in a tornado cellar
The tornado in Jarrell was a massive incredibly powerful monster, but I don't think its winds were measured at its strongest. The Massive F-5 near Oklahoma City in April of 1999 was the one that had the 318 MPH winds clocked, I think.
In Jarrell, I had my search dog Shep, and there were 12 of us sent to a subdivision the first afternoon/evening before it got dark. We had a map, and one of the searchers had a radio. He called base camp and told them that they must have sent us to the wrong area, because it seemed we were mistakenly sent to some huge farmer's field. There was nothing, not anything but fresh looking dirt. The man responded back to us that we were in the subdivision. We all looked at each other in disbelief. There were in fact home foundations cover over by a layer of dirt from the tornado. We were in the subdivision, but there was nothing there. There wasn't even any debris. The monster took it all. I never heard of anything like that before.
For two more days I searched, and we did find things. Some parts we couldn't tell if they were animal or human. It was challenging to deal with what I felt and thought on those days. I had to reward and play with my dog every time he made a find, and I had to fake it to the max. I will never forget the images, and the heartbroken, anxious family members looking for their loved ones. They were talking about the thousand yard stare on Fox the other day. Back in Jarrell people really did look that way. It was one of the most painful things to see.
That same storm moved south to Cedar Park where I went on the fourth day to search the Albertson's to make sure no one was still within or under the debris. We were pretty sure everyone was out. There was one severely injured young employee who never made it into the meat locker in time. He had a severe brain injury, but he recovered enough to go back to work at a different store eventually. Anyway, we spent a few minutes waiting in the parking lot while we were deciding who would take what area. The Fire Department was in charge, and they started joking that they needed to send us into the soap isle to get washed up. It was hot, and we were filthy. Then someone said they should send Shep and me into the meat isle and make sure I picked out a big steak for Shep. It was the first time I laughed for days.
My heart breaks for these dear people, and I wish there was more that I could do. Right now I can only pray, but I would rather pray and take action, too. I hope that people continue to come together and help each other. If we all together in this country we could rebuild their town. It is feasible, and I know it would help them to heal. They need to grieve and then to heal. They are in my thoughts and in my prayers.
Lion
--That one was the great 1999 May 3 Oklahoma City Tornado that killed 47people and injured hundreds--The strongest winds ever recorded on EarthI was thinking that was the 318mph twister, but that may have been another.
At the end of every year the storm chasers put together a video collection of all the twisters they catch and sell them. All the money goes to towns and victims of these storms. I will post a link to it when they start selling them, if anyone is interested in it.
Does this effect the area where you live?
If so, stay indoors.
Everyone from that area,
Stay Safe!