Pray for Oklahoma

My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Moore, Oklahoma and those all over the state that were affected by tornadoes yesterday. In April we had a large F4 tornado, the same size as the one that hit Moore, hit Noxubee and Kemper counties. Thankfully Noxubee county is very rural so the destruction while just as devastating as Oklahoma was not on the same scale just because we don't have the same number of people and buildings. We only had one loss of life and we were lucky to have just that one. Several people were in their homes when the storm hit, but it was at least during the day and not at night like in Oklahoma.

GPS tower on hwy 388 east of Macon, MS hit April 11, 2013 by tornado

 

Tornado seen (taken from video) in Noxubee county April 11, 2013

 

I've been through several tornadoes over the years and had one pass right over my house after I got married in 2007. It's a terrifying feeling and all you can do is get to an interior room and pray. Living in the prairie like I do now is different than living in the hills where I'm from. There are very few natural windbreaks to slow down the tornado once it gets going and the longer it can stay together the stronger the storm gets.

The destruction in Oklahoma is heartbreaking. Over 100 horses were killed on one farm alone; dozens more have had to be euthanized due to injury. But most heartbreaking are the children that were killed in the school.

Images of the destruction in Oklahoma

So, if you're inclined send up a prayer for these people and their loved ones. It will be a long time before anything is approaching normal again for them. The Salvation Army is also taking donations, and I'm sure a church in your area is mobilizing supplies to take there as well. Hug your children tight, give your animals an extra squeeze, and count your blessings one by one.

Stay safe everyone, and have a great day my loves.