Tornado Watch
As any reader who’s tuned into national news knows, a tornado ravaged southern Indiana last night, and specifically Newburgh, Evansville and the surrounding communities. Most reports suggest that 11 are dead and over 150 are injured. Evansville is the home town for three of ITA’s authors. It is currently the top story at Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, and most other news outlets.
Update: No word yet from ITA contributor Adam Packer and the well being of his family, who is a native of Newburgh, Ind., a suburb of Evansville and one of the hardest hit areas.
Update 2: The Associated Press reports that the death toll has risen to 17 and the number of injured has passed 200. Both numbers are expected to rise further.
Update 3: Anne’s Addictions of Newburgh, Ind. offers her personal story of the events.
Update 4: Indiana ranks third in the nation in frquency of tornadoes and tornado deaths.
Update 5: The death toll has grown to 21, and may still rise.
Update 6: Are Natural Disasters on the Increase?
Update 7: My sister relays a story about Pastor Bob Coleman of Methodist Temple in Evansville escaping to his basement minutes before the fireplace crashed onto his bed. Had he and his wife stayed there, they may not have survived.
Update 8: See Adam Packer’s account in “Destruction in Newburgh.”
9 Responses to “Tornado Watch”
I just called my family, they all seem to be fine (though an uncle and grandmother were only about a mile from the tornado at one point).
Perhaps everyone could post a quick check-in here?
I’ve been listening to the story since about 7:30 this morning and my family are all all right.
Just saw it on CNN.com this morning; hope all of you and yours are ok.
I’m very sorry for Indiana’s loss. As a resident of a tornado prone state, I’m always aware of the risks, but the human tragedy when it happens is to be greatly lamented.
Mobile homes provide zero protection, but that is all the housing that some can afford.
Not to play a one-upmanship game, but maybe in some small way my fellow Hoosiers can start to comprehend what life is like here on the Mississppi Gulf Coast. My father-in-law has been here for the past week helping us repair our home and he said the local media doesn’t mention much and certainly the photos cannot capture the enormity of the devestation here after seeing it first-hand. I hope their recovery is speedier in coming than ours has been and my heart goes out to the families who have had losses. Your life is forever changed…
A Tornado in Indiana in November is Rare. Quite odd the fact that
I was around when the Tornado came through Owensboro in Jan. of 2000. I know what what the people in Evansville are going through. I am praying for you all. May God bless the Families who lost loved ones in this strong storm.
Our hearts and our prayers go out to everyone in Indiana and Kentucky affected by Sundays Tornado. However, I can’t believe that comment from Jennie. You know, we are all human and make mistakes. We all feel very bad for those down in the gulf coast and many of us have made contributions to help in any way we can. You really do have to learn to put yourself a side and think of others every once in a while. It’s not about you. We hope you are all well. Again, we are very sorry for everyone affected by Natural Disasters especially ones as horrific as this years have been.
Nikki,
I’m not sure which comment of mine you can’t believe. I’m sorry if I came across wrong. I know it’s not about me. I just wonder if anyone realizes what everyone here on the coast is still going through 10 WEEKS after the hurricane. Many are homeless, living in tents, jobless, carless, etc. We have no libraries, bookstores, things that most of us take for granted. It takes about an hour to get anywhere and then it’s about an hour wait to do whatever you went to do. Unless you are at WalMart and then it’s two hours. It’s not just me who’s dealing with life in the ‘new normal’ here. Fortunately my family is being relocated due to the military, but we feel incredibly guilty to be able to move while others will still be here suffering for many years to come. Please don’t forget about them and thank you for all that you have done to help our friends and neighbors.