The Cardinal » Disaster Report

Eric Scott Evacuates Safely, But Authorities Believe Many People Who Didn’t Evacuate May Have Died in Black Forest Wildfire, Colorado

Cardinal News — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 01:53:59 +0000

Happy Father’s Day to this Man — Eric Scott … In an emotional interview on 7News Denver, a man tells Lance Hernandez how he and his family evacuated their home to escape the Black Forest Fire, with Bertha Lynn and Mitch Jelniker.

The Black Forest fire is an ongoing forest fire that began near Highway 83 and Shoup Road in Black Forest, Colorado around 1:00 PM on June 11, 2013. On June 13, 2013 several evacuations for the area had been ordered, and at least 360 structures have been lost according to The Denver Post. Local authorities believe that several people did not evacuate, and fear that there may be many deaths. Reports reached 911 about 2:00 p.m. MDT.

Police evacuations.

Raw Video 7 News Denver: Black Forest Fire.

USAFA firefighters, under a pre-exsisting mutual aid agreement, battle a wildfire raging east of the Air Force Academy in a region of Colorado Springs called Black Forest. USAFA Firefighter Brandon Eubanks is wearing the POV camera.

The Denver Post has reported that 457 firefighters are working the fireline, including agencies around the fire and the Colorado National Guard, as well as select personnel from fire suppression teams on Fort Carson and the nearby Air Force Academy. Governor Hickenlooper addressed Emergency Managers at the command post on June 12th.U.S. Northern Command is assisting with fire fighting efforts.

Ominous orange clouds over homes and businesses near Colorado Springs.

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24 Injured, At Least 2 Serious, at Shucker’s Bar & Grill in North Bay Village, north of Miami Beach

Cardinal News — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 13:55:29 +0000

Three people were critically injured when the outdoor deck behind a popular Miami-area sports bar collapsed during the NBA finals Thursday night. Dozens of people fell into the shallow waters of Biscayne Bay.

Miami-Dade firefighter/paramedics responded about 9:45 p.m. Thursday with about 50 fire/rescue units to Shucker’s Bar & Grill, 1819 79th Causeway, North Bay, Florida. Divers and helicopters with spotlights were deployed for search and rescue of victims. Water near the collapse is about 4 feet deep. Rescuers spoke with witnesses on the scene to attempt to account for persons they were accompanying at the time of the collapse.

Several citizen rescues occurred with people jumping in immediately after the collapse to save people that had already fallen into the water. About 100 people were watching the Miami Heat play the San Antonio Spurs.

Police shut down 79th Street (John F Kennedy Causeway) during rescue operations.

VIDEO from WPTV NEWS showing a fire department ladder tower truck extended horizontally during search and rescue.

Extended news video coverage from WSVN 7NEWS.

View Larger Map

Philadelphia: 6 Killed, 14 Injured in 4-Story Building Collapse on 2-Story Building

Cardinal News — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 13:59:29 +0000

A woman has been rescued hours after a building being demolished in Philadelphia collapsed onto a Salvation Army thrift store next door. The 61-year-old woman, who’s in critical condition, is the 14th person injured.

Philadelphia firefighters and police responded about 10:43 a.m. Wednesday and arrived at a building collapse scene

Initially breaking news reports were that twelve people were transported to hospitals — all in good condition — with dangerous search and rescue operations underway. At 12:35 PM ET Wednesday the scene was an active search and rescue scene.

Rescue workers used buckets and bare hands to move bricks and debris to free a 61-year-old woman late Wednesday night — about 12 hours after a four-story building undergoing demolition collapsed . The rescue of Myra Plekam of Kensington, Pa just after authorities announced the death toll had risen to six. Plekam was taken to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. She was listed in critical condition.

The external wall of the building undergoing demolition fell outward onto a two-story Salvation Army thrift store, where during initial response an unknown number of customers and employees were inside. Most of the victims injured were inside the Salvation Army thrift store.

Philadelphia’s mayor Michael Nutter (D) says the collapse of a downtown building that was being demolished has killed six people. The four-story building collapsed Wednesday morning.

Breaking news report of Philadelphia building collapse.

Tornados Strike Oklahoma Again, Moving Through St. Louis and Western Illinois

Cardinal News — Sat, 01 Jun 2013 02:07:46 +0000

Jim Routon survived the Moore, Oklahoma, tornado and describes the situation as another tornado hits the state.

Tornados hit Oklahoma again on Friday evening. Tornados have hit Oklahoma City and have hit Moore, Oklahoma again.

Mayor Glenn Lewis of Moore, Oklahoma, says he can’t believe his town is bracing for another potential tornado.

Tornado touchdown at a cow pasture. (VIDEO: Michael Ratliff/KDR Media).

CNN meteorologist Chad Meyers describes the wind conditions after a tornado touched down in Oklahoma.

Softball players in Oklahoma City for the College World Series seek shelter from the tornado on the north side of Oklahoma City.

Developing …

Teacher Heroes at Moore, Oklahoma Tornado Disaster

Cardinal News — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:54:29 +0000

Teacher impaled while protecting class: A teacher describes the leg injury she sustained while protecting students at Briarwood Elementary in Moore, Oklahoma. The Moore, OK tornado’s 200-plus MPH winds turned a table leg into a missile.

First grade teacher Cindy Lowe wedged herself between a collapsed wall and her students. Her husband tells CNN the story.

Teacher Julie Simon talks live with Gabriel Wheeler, one of the students she helped save.

Country music star Toby Keith assesses the scene in his hometown of Moore, Oklahoma.

Sometimes your assignments, don’t go as well as planned: CNN’s Wolf Blitzer unknowingly asks an atheist tornado survivor if she “thanks the Lord” for her family’s safety. Sometimes life is awkward, even on live news programming.

CBS News: Will Barbara Garcia of Moore, OK Find Her Dog “Cathy” in Tornado Rubble?

Cardinal News — Tue, 21 May 2013 23:04:56 +0000

Barbara Garcia, a survivor of the massive tornado that struck an Oklahoma City suburb, found her dog buried alive under the rubble during her interview with CBS News’ Anna Werner.

Answered prayers …
“I thought God just answered one prayer, to let me be okay. He answered both of them. Because this was my second prayer (for the dog to be OK),” tornado victim Barbara Garcia told Anna Werner after the CBS News TV crew helped her free the dog.

Barbara Garcia had a plan for Tornado Warnings: Grab her Schnauzer “Cathy” and sit on a stool in an interior bathroom. She managed her plan, but when the tornado struck, her house was destroyed. Her stool was knocked from underneath her, and she was forced to the ground. She never lost consciousness, but when she opened her eyes, there was no house. She saw a cooker from the kitchen, but no Cathy. She called her name, but got no answer from her best friend. Then during an interview with Anna Werner of CBS News, the news crew discovered the dog peeking her head from underneath the rubble.

Barbara Garcia calmly stooped to help her friend out of the rubble, saying, “Bless your little heart.”

Moore, Oklahoma Tornado May 20, 2013 Upgraded to an EF-5 Enhanced Fujita Scale Tornado

Cardinal News — Tue, 21 May 2013 21:06:05 +0000

A massive tornado that has been reported to have killed at least 91 people (officially 24 deaths on Tuesday morning) on the outskirts of Oklahoma City had wind speeds up to 200 mph. The tornado directed much of its ferocity on Moore, Oklahoma. The Oklahoma tornado is the worst to hit the United States since a May 22, 2011 tornado struck Joplin, Missouri, killing at least 158 people and injuring 1,100 (Video courtesy: Michael Welch, Blanchard, OK).

The National Weather Service has upgraded the May 20, 2013 Moore, Oklahoma tornado to an EF-5 with winds in excess of 200 miles per hour. An EF-5 is the most dangerous of all tornadoes. There have been only 58 EF-5 of them since 1950. The tornado is believed to have been 1.3 miles wide.

The Moore, OK 2013 tornado touched down at 2:56 p.m. CDT Monday May 20, 2013 and remained on the ground for approximately 40 minutes — traveling a 20-mile long path and had previously thought to have been up to two miles wide at its peak.

The tornado touched down west of Newcastle, Oklahoma and then crossed a heavily populated section of Moore, Oklahoma.

Before the tornado touched down, a large rotating wall cloud was clearly visible on helicopter video on KWTV coverage. The tornado started out as a cone tornado and then enlarged to a huge wedge tornado within 10-15 minutes. The tornado apparently touched down northeast of Bridge Creek in extreme northeastern Grady County near the interchange of Interstate 44 and State Highway 4.

View Moore Tornado 05.20.2013 in a larger map
Blue = Path markers. Red = Points of Interest.

Dashcam video of violent tornado striking Moore, OK from Lawrence McEwen (Live Storms Network).

Moore, OK Tornado from Spencer Basoco.

Path markers:
Touch down near the interchange of Interstate 44 and State Highway 4

I-44 near the Canadian River bridge

Traveled east-northeast along 149th Street between I-44 and Pennsylvania Avenue
Crossed Pennsylvania Avenue near SW 134th Street (map showing proximity to Plaza Towers Elementary School)

Interstate 35 near the 134th Street interchange (SW 4th Street on the Moore local grid)

The tornado continued east-northeast across the eastern part of Moore

Rural area extreme southeastern Oklahoma City at Sunnylane Avenue

The weakened after passing Sooner Road and eventually roped out and dissipated near the northern edge of Stanley Draper Lake.

Large, violent tornado plowed through Moore, OK. Basehunters intercepted the tornado from within a half mile by Southmoore High School.

Bill Nye talks to Piers Morgan about tornadoes, the magnitude of the Moore, Oklahoma, and the chance something like the Moore tornado could happen again.

Ginger Zee with the latest breaking news and storm developments.

AP Photographer: “It Was a Miracle They Got Out” on Search and Rescue Efforts

Cardinal News — Tue, 21 May 2013 20:34:37 +0000

AP photographer Sue Ogrocki was at the Plaza Towers Elementary School destroyed by a tornado Monday, and saw rescuers pulling children out of the rubble. Here are Ogrocki’s own words and images of the destruction – and ‘miracle’ – she witnessed.

Powerful photo of woman carrying child through tornado debris. (credit: @ap / Sue Ogrocki) #Oklahoma twitter.com/todayshow/stat…

— TODAY(@todayshow) May 20, 2013

Trenda Purcell reunites with her son Kamden after a massive tornado struck his school in Moore, Oklahoma. Purcell says she’s amazed Kamden walked out of the building alive and unhurt.

The day after a massive tornado swept through Moore, Okla., the suburb is a place of mourning for those lost. And it is a place for reunions of children with parents, with most residents marveling at how they survived the storm’s fury.

Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado. Search and rescue teams combed through a damaged school, homes and stores Tuesday morning looking for survivors of a massive tornado that tore a path of destruction through Moore, Oklahoma.

Video Compilation of Moore, Oklahoma Tornado, May 20, 2013; with Tornado Path Information

Cardinal News — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:11:24 +0000

The Moore, OK 2013 tornado touched down at 2:56 p.m. CDT Monday May 20, 2013 and remained on the ground for approximately 40 minutes — traveling a 20-mile long path and up to two miles wide at its peak.

The tornado touched down west of Newcastle, Oklahoma and then crossed a heavily populated section of Moore, Oklahoma.

View Moore Tornado 05.20.2013 in a larger map
Blue = Path markers. Red = Points of Interest.

Dashcam video of violent tornado striking Moore, OK from Lawrence McEwen (Live Storms Network).

Moore, OK Tornado from Spencer Basoco.

Path markers:
Touch down near the interchange of Interstate 44 and State Highway 4

I-44 near the Canadian River bridge

Traveled east-northeast along 149th Street between I-44 and Pennsylvania Avenue
Crossed Pennsylvania Avenue near SW 134th Street (map showing proximity to Plaza Towers Elementary School)

Interstate 35 near the 134th Street interchange (SW 4th Street on the Moore local grid)

The tornado continued east-northeast across the eastern part of Moore

Rural area extreme southeastern Oklahoma City at Sunnylane Avenue

The weakened after passing Sooner Road and eventually roped out and dissipated near the northern edge of Stanley Draper Lake.

Large, violent tornado plowed through Moore, OK. Basehunters intercepted the tornado from within a half mile by Southmoore High School.

Bill Nye talks to Piers Morgan about tornadoes, the magnitude of the Moore, Oklahoma, and the chance something like the Moore tornado could happen again.

Ginger Zee with the latest breaking news and storm developments.

AERIAL VIDEO: Initial Discovery of Moore Tornado Path Damage by KFOR-TV News Helicopter

Cardinal News — Tue, 21 May 2013 00:27:57 +0000

KFOR-TV News crews discover “war zone” conditions and damage school building immediately after a tornado struck Moore, Oklahoma.

As of about 7:00 p.m. CDT there were 24 school children reported killed in Plaza Towers Elementary School, and that the total death toll is at 37. Officials warn that the death count is expected to rise. On Tuesday morning the death toll was 91 with the number of children killed at Plaza Towers Elementary School unconformed.

As of 7:00 p.m. Monday OU Medical Center had at least 60 injured school children, and another 25 injured adults.

Moore Medical Center with cars piled up at the front entrance (Bob Moore Chopper 4 Surverys Moore Tornado Damage).

JUST SOUTH OF 4th STREET: Aerial survey starting with 134th Street showing Orr Family Farm, Plaza Towers Elementary School, burning house, Warren Theater, AMC Bowling Alley, Brink Junior High School and more (Moore, Oklahoma Storm Path).

View Moore Tornado 05.20.2013 in a larger map
Blue = Noted tornado path markers. Red = Points of interest along tornado path.

24 Children Feared Dead by Tornado Destruction at Plaza Towers Elementary School in Moore, Oklahoma

Cardinal News — Tue, 21 May 2013 00:06:18 +0000

CNN’s Chad Myers and Jake Tapper discuss severe damage to Plaza Towers Elementary School as a result of the tornado that hit Oklahoma.

There were reports earlier of school children trapped and being pulled out from underneath cars that landed on top of school buildings. About 7:00 p.m. CDT Monday news spread that 24 children — most or all third graders — were killed at Plaza Towers Elementary School. Seven of the children were recovered from the school building by 7:00 p.m. Officials feared that another 20-30 children and staff were still trapped an presumed dead inside the school. On Tuesday morning the death count at the school is not confirmed.

Death Toll Twenty-Four Overall (Revised)
Early Tuesday morning it was reported that overall 91 people have been found dead from Monday’s tornado in Moore, Oklahoma. Officials had warned that the death toll was expected to rise when the death count was at 51 on Monday night. Later Tuesday morning, the coroner has revised the death toll overall at 24.

The tornado touched down at 2:56 p.m. CDT and remained on the ground for approximately 40 minutes — traveling a 20-mile long path and up to two miles wide at its peak.

Moore Public School District, also known as Moore Public Schools is a public school district affected in Moore, Oklahoma. Plaza Towers Elementary was completely destroyed. Biarwood Elementary School was severely damaged, but all children have survived while inside that school. The school district is the third largest in the state of Oklahoma.

DEVELOPING …

VIDEO: House Burns in Tornado Aftermath As Scale of Damage Is Realized in Moore, Oklahoma

Cardinal News — Mon, 20 May 2013 22:26:55 +0000

Television footage shows flattened buildings and at least one fire after a mile-wide tornado tore through the Oklahoma City area. Video shows homes and buildings in Moore, Okla. reduced to rubble and vehicles littered roadways.

UPDATE: About 7:00 p.m. CDT Monday news spread that 24 children were feared dead at Plaza Towers Elementary School. Seven of the children were recovered from the school building by 7:00 p.m. Tuesday morning 91 people were reported killed with the number of children killed at Plaza Towers Elementary School unconfirmed.

A tornado touched down in Moore, Oklahoma and stayed on the ground for an extended period Monday afternoon. Aftermath reports of fatalities, injuries, and damage are just starting to arrive at media stations. Helicopters are restricted from the area so that rescuers can listen for people calling for help in demolished buildings.

Roads are blocked, house, buildings and schools are destroyed after a one- or two-mile wide tornado touched down with wind speeds of 200 mph in Moore, Oklahoma.

CNN’s Chad Myers and Jake Tapper discuss severe damage to Plaza Towers Elementary School as a result of the tornado that hit Oklahoma.

There are reports of school children trapped and being pulled out from underneath cars that landed on top of school buildings.

The day after tornadoes killed two people in Oklahoma, a new tornado was spotted on the ground in Newcastle. Newcastle is about 10 miles southeast of Moore, Oklahoma.

The population of Moore, Oklahoma was 55,081 at the 2010 census. Moore, Oklahoma is the seventh largest city in the state of Oklahoma, and is located just south Oklahoma City.

The city of Moore has been damaged by large tornadoes on October 4, 1998, May 3, 1999, May 8, 2003, May 10, 2010, and May 20, 2013. The May 3, 1999 tornado that hit Moore was rated an F5 on the Fujita scale, and was probably the strongest single tornado ever and most destructive tornadoes in world history. There is some discussion that today’s tornado may have surpassed the May 3, 1999 tornado in destructiveness.

Developing …

Tornado Video and Reports for Kansas, Oklahoma, Iowa and Illinois Saturday May 18 and Sunday May 19

Cardinal News — Mon, 20 May 2013 10:21:07 +0000

Video of Tornado near Rozel, Kansas. Severe weather moved through the Plains states over the weekend, bringing high winds, heavy rains and tornadoes. Two twisters were spotted Saturday evening near Rozel, a sparsely populated area in central Kansas (Map of Rozel, Kansas).

Tornadoes and severe weather struck the states from Texas to Minnesota on Sunday. The worst damage reported is in Oklahoma, where one person was killed and at least 21 injured.

A tornado that hit Oklahoma late Sunday did heavy damage to the town of Shawnee. Reports of injuries could not immediately be confirmed.

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TORNADO REPORTS FOR MAY 18 2013
5:58 PM 10 N BROADWATER MORRILL COUNTY, NE NO TORNADO DETAILS

6:01 PM 9 N BROADWATER MORRILL MORRILL COUNTY, NE NO TORNADO DETAILS

6:03 PM 3 N BROWNELL NESS MORRILL COUNTY, KS A BRIEF MULTI-VORTEX TORNADO WAS OBSERVERED. THE TORNADO LASTED 1 TO 2 MINUTES.

6:03 PM 5 S ELLIS ELLIS COUNTY, KS NO TORNADO DETAILS

6:25 PM 2 NW SANFORD PAWNEE COUNTY, KS NO TORNADO DETAILS

6:40 PM 10 SE ELLIS ELLIS COUNTY, KS TORNADO WAS OBSERVED GOING UP AND DOWN, SHORT TIME ON THE SURFACE. NO DAMAGE REPORTED AS OF YET.

6:45 PM ROZEL PAWNEE COUNTY, KS NO DETAILS, BUT VIDEO AVAILABLE (SEE ABOVE)

7:21 PM 5 E BURDETT PAWNEE COUNTY, KS NO TORNADO DETAILS

7:22 PM 1 SSW ROZEL PAWNEE COUNTY, KS NO TORNADO DETAILS

7:24 PM 5 SSW ROZEL PAWNEE COUNTY, KS NO TORNADO DETAILS

7:25 PM 5 SE BURDETT PAWNEE COUNTY, KS NO TORNADO DETAILS

7:25 PM 2 NW SANFORD PAWNEE COUNTY, KS NO TORNADO DETAILS

7:27 PM 7 N GARFIELD PAWNEE COUNTY, KS NO TORNADO DETAILS

7:27 PM 2 ESE ROZEL PAWNEE COUNTY, KS NO TORNADO DETAILS

7:31 PM 6 N SANFORD PAWNEE COUNTY, KS THIS TORNADO WAS REPORTED AS A LARGE STOVEPIPE TORNADO.

7:40 PM 1 W ROZEL PAWNEE COUNTY, KS THE TORNADO WAS JUST BEGINNING TO ROPE OUT, ACCORDING THE CHASER.

Storm Chasers Jeff and Kathryn Piotrowski, Jeremy Holmes and Terry Schenk recorded multiple tornadoes are produced from a storm near Rozel, KS.

7:45 PM 1 WSW ROZEL PAWNEE COUNTY, KS NO TORNADO DETAILS

7:45 PM ROZEL PAWNEE COUNTY, KS NO TORNADO DETAILS

7:45 PM 4 SW LEMOYNE KEITH COUNTY, NE POSSIBLE TORNADO DAMAGE WITH REPORT OF TREES LAYING ON HOUSES AND A GARAGE BEING BLOWN UP OVER 15 TO 20 FT TREES LANDING ON A NEIGHBORS PROPERTY.

7:48 PM 2 W ROZEL PAWNEE COUNTY, KS TORNADO DAMAGE. ONE HOUSE NEARLY DESTROYED, ROOF AND WALLS GONE. THE 2 RESIDENTS WERE O.K. THE LOCATION IS 2 MILES WEST OF ROZEL ON HIGHWAY 156.

7:56 PM 4 NNE SANFORD PAWNEE COUNTY, KS THE CHASER HAD BEEN FOLLOWING THIS CELL FOR QUITE SOME TIME. THE TORNADO HAD LIFTED, BUT TOUCHED BACK DOWN AT THE TIME OF THIS REPORT.

7:58 PM 2 NE SANFORD PAWNEE COUNTY, KS NO TORNADO DETAILS

First segment near Shawnee, Oklahoma. Second segment about four miles south of Shawnee, Oklahoma. Third segment near Edmond, Oklahoma. Brandon Sullivan and his crew documented multiple strong to deadly violent tornadoes Sunday May 19, 2013 across central Oklahoma (Map of Shawnee, Oklahoma/Map of Edmond, Oklahoma).

TORNADO REPORTS FOR MAY 19, 2013
3:10 PM 2 SW VIOLA SUMNER COUNTY, KS BRIEF TORNADO TOUCHDOWN BUT HAS SINCE LIFTED. ROTATION IS STILL SEEN.

3:19 PM 2 E VIOLA SEDGWICK COUNTY, KS BRIEF TORNADO TOUCHDOWN

3:23 PM 2 E VIOLA SEDGWICK COUNTY, KS ROPE TORNADO TOUCHDOWN APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS AND HAS NOW LIFTED.

3:37 PM CLEARWATER SEDGWICK COUNTY, KS SPOTTER REPORTS LARGE CONE TORNADO DOING DAMAGE

3:38 PM 6 S WEST WITCHITA SEDGWICK COUNTY KS UPROOTED TREES AND DOWNED POWER LINES FOR ABOUT A MILE NEAR 119TH STREET WEST AND JUST NORTH OF 55TH STREET SOUTH. UNKNOWN DAMAGE TO FARMSTEADS AS WELL.

4:12 PM 2 S PERTH SUMNER KS TRAINED SPOTTER REPORTED A TORNADO WHICH WENT JUST SOUTH OF HIS LOCATION.

4:21 PM EDMOND OKLAHOMA COUNTY, OK 15TH AND COLTRAIN RD, FROM KWTV

4:33 PM 1 SW ARCADIA OKLAHOMA COUNTY, OK AT E HWY 66 AND POST RD. FROM VARIOUS MEDIA SOURCES.

4:35 PM 7 E CALDWELL SUMNER COUNTY KS ELEPHANT TRUNK TORNADO 7-8 MILES EAST OF CALDWELL

4:36 PM SOUTH HAVEN SUMNER COUNTY KS TRAINED SPOTTER WHO WAS 2 NORTHEAST OF SOUTH HAVEN AND LOOKING SOUTHWEST TOWARDS SOUTH HAVEN REPORTS A BRIEF STOVEPIPE TORNADO. IT WAS A FUNNEL AT THE TIME OF THE CALL.

4:40 PM 1 S SOUTH HAVEN SUMNER COUNTY, KS A ROPE TORNADO WAS REPORTED 1 MILE SOUTH OF SOUTH HAVEN AND MOVING NORTHEAST BY OKLAHOMA HIGHWAY TROOP K.

4:46 PM 4 S UDALL COWLEY COUNTY, KS SPOTTER WAS 5 SOUTH OF UDALL LOOKING NORTH WEST AND OBSERVED WHITE CONE TORNADO

4:53 PM 3 N LUTHER OKLAHOMA COUNTY, OK FROM KWTV

5:05 PM 1 SW RAMONA MARION COUNTY, KS A BRIEF TOUCHDOWN WAS REPORTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT BETWEEN TAMPA AND NEAR RAMONA. THIS WAS A DELAYED REPORT. TIME IS APPROXIMATED BASED ON RADAR.

5:13 PM SE CARNEY LINCOLN COUNTY, OK VARIOUS MEDIA SOURCES

5:28 PM 5 WSW EMPORIA LYON COUNTY, KS SMALL BARN WITH MINOR ROOF DAMAGE AND MINOR TREE DAMAGE. SIGNS BLOWN OFF HIGHWAY.

5:59 PM 1 N ARKANSAS CITY COWLEY COUNTY, KS BRIEF ROPE TORNADO TOUCHDOWN ROUGHLY 1 NORTH OF ARK CITY

6:01 PM NW LAKE THUNDERBIRD CLEVELAND COUNTY, OK FROM KWTV

6:11 PM E LAKE THUNDERBIRD CLEVELAND COUNTY, OK FROM KWTV

6:30 PM 2 W EARLHAM MADISON COUNTY, IA CONFIRMED TORNADO ON GROUND WEST OF EARLHAM

6:41 PM 2 S ADEL DALLAS COUNTY, IA LOOKING NORTHWEST OFF OF R22

7:08 PM 2 NW PRAGUE LINCOLN COUNTY, OK NO DETAILS

7:08 PM SLATER STORY COUNTY, IA TORNADO REPORTED BETWEEN SLATER AND HUXLEY NEAR 538TH. STREET.

7:10 PM 2 S SLATER POLK COUNTY, IA TORNADO ON THE GROUND ABOUT 2 SOUTH OF SLATER

7:10 PM 1 S HUXLEY STORY COUNTY, IA NO DETAILS

8:02 PM 1 E ARGO FAY CARROLL COUNTY, IL CONFIRMED TORNADO HEADING NNE TOWARDS CHADWICK.

8:26 PM 2 SE GRUNDY CENTER GRUNDY COUNTY, IA ASSISTANT TAMA COUNTY EM REPORTED THAT GRUNDY COUNTY DISPATCH HAS A TORNADO ON THE GROUND. GRUNDY COUNTY REQUESTED ASSISTANCE FROM TAMA COUNTY.

12:25 AM (MAY 20 2013) 2 E GOLDEN CITY DADE COUNTY, MO EMERGENCY MANAGER FROM BARTON COUNTY REPORTED A CONE TORNADO 1 MILE SOUTH OF HIGHWAY 126 APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES EAST OF GOLDEN CITY … MOVING EAST.

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Major Derailment: Metro-North Trains Collide in Connecticut, 20-25 Non-LifeThreatening Injuries

Cardinal News — Fri, 17 May 2013 23:20:24 +0000

Two commuter trains serving New York City collided in Connecticut during Friday’s evening rush hour, injuring about 50 people, authorities said. There were no reports of fatalities.

Two Metro-North Railroad trains collided after a “major derailment” near Fairfield, Connecticut, on 6:10 p.m. Friday. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority reports that “there are preliminary reports of about 20-25 injuries.”

An eastbound train traveling from New Haven to Manhattan derailed just east of the rail station in Fairfield, the authority said, then struck or grazed a westbound train on an adjacent track. Some cars from the westbound train also derailed.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority reports that emergency workers were responding to the scene and that service between Stamford and New Haven had been suspended.

The MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) is responsible for public transportation in the U.S. state of New York, serving 12 counties in southeastern New York and two counties in southwestern Connecticut under contract to the Connecticut Department of Transportation.

The MTA transports over 11 million passengers on an average weekday systemwide.

PHOTOS at the scene …

Facebook.com/CardinalEmergencies MTA Fairfield CT Train Collision 05.17.2013

Twitter Rob Oliver …

6 Killed in 3 Tornadoes in Granbury, Texas; Hail the Size of Softballs Reported

Cardinal News — Thu, 16 May 2013 09:38:10 +0000

VIDEO from Milsap, Texas and Aledo, Texas. A rash of tornadoes slammed into several small communities in North Texas overnight, leaving at least six people dead, dozens more injured and hundreds homeless.

At least six people were killed Wednesday as a spring tornado outbreak devastated parts of North Texas, destroying or damaging dozens of homes and injuring dozens of people.

At least six people are confirmed dead and 14 people missing after a tornado struck Hood County in north Texas and Granbury, Texas. In darkness extensive damage is already reported after at least three tornadoes slammed into the river/lakefront town of Granbury Wednesday evening, destroying homes and buildings and sending vehicles flying in the air. There is an early report that one of the tornados might have been one mile wide.

Most of the damage is apparently southeast of the city.

The National Weather Service early estimation is that at least 10 tornadoes touched down in the region.

Granbury, Texas tornado video.

The tornado forming east of us. Taken from Harbor Lakes in Granbury, Texas.

VIDEO: Granbury Tornado May 15 2013.

Golfball to baseball-size hail during hail storm in Granbury, Texas on May 15, 2013.

WARNING: AUDIO IS LOUD. Granbury, Texas tornado over Lake Granbury.

NWS Tornado Reports …
5:39 PM 1 W BELCHERVILLE MONTAGUE, TX
TORNADO 1 W OF BELCHERVILLE

6:58 PM SUNSET MONTAGUE,TX
NEAR 287 IN SUNSET

8:06 PM 6 SE GRANBURY HOOD, TX
TORNADO IN PECAN PLANTATION

Lake Granbury is a North Texas reservoir near Granbury, Texas. Lake Granbury was created in 1969 and is one of three lakes damming the Brazos River.
‘
Granbury, Texas is the county seat of Hood County, Texas with a 2010 census population of 7,979. Granbury is about 65 miles west-southwest of Dallas, Texas.

View Larger Map

High Casualties and Fatalities Expected at Fertilizer Explosion Near Waco, Texas

Cardinal News — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 04:41:02 +0000

Firefighters, EMS and police responded about 7:15 p.m. to a fire at or near West Fertilizer, Inc. at West Fertilizer at 1471 Jerry Mashek Dr. just off Interstate 35. A short time later a huge explosion occurred at the West Fertilizer, Inc. plant. The massive explosion occurred at about 7:50 p.m.

Waco texas fertilizer plant explosion video – Raw footage 4-17-2013.

Nitrogen and grain dust is an explosion risk at the scene. There is concern of risk of a second explosion.

West, Texas is located between Waco and Dallas in northern Texas.

Residential neighborhood, apartment, nursing home and school located nearby.

Disaster has impacted an area nursing home with rumors of a possible collapse ad possible victims entrapped. Not confirmed — rescue personnel have been forced to retreat because of HazMat situation and risk of second explosion.

Press conference at midnight D.L. Wilson Department of Public Safety …

Over 100 injured injured; confirmed fatalities (unknown number).

All 133 people in a nursing home evacuated — injuries unknown.

Limestone, Bosque, Hillsboro, and others mutual aid.

+++++++

Glenn Robinson CEO of Hillcrest Hospital

Victims going to Hillcrest Hospital and Providence

Hundreds of physicians and nurses have arrived to volunteer to help.

Triage Center set up at football field.

INFORMATION HOTLINE: 254-202-1100

+++++++

George Smith EMS Doctor West Rest Haven …

One hundred people

Fatalities among EMS personnel and volunteer firefighters

50 homes heavily damaged

Explosion shattered windows for miles and blew doors off hinges.

HazMat: Smoke with hazardous chemicals preventing rescue.

Evacuation of area with first responders retreating because of risk of an explosion at a second tank.

Reports of a “3-mile Exclusion Zone”

Helicopters told to keep altitude of at least 3,000 feet because of risk of another explosion with blast that could crash any airborne helicopters.

++++++++

Tommy Muska, Mayor of West, Texas (also a member of the fire department) …

Estimate 60-80 homes have been flattened in a five mile radius.

House-by-house search and rescue underway at about 11:15 p.m.

Witness a huge mushroom cloud.

Cannot confirm loss of life among first responders.

++++++++

Cheryl Marak, wife of firefighter …

Husband so far is safe.

Explosion destroyed her house and killed two dogs inside her home.

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INFORMATION HOTLINE: 254-202-1100

Additional …

To check on injured residents admitted to Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center call (254) 202-1100

For family inquiries about patients at Scott & White call (888) 394-4947

Family inquiries about patients at Providence Health Center (254) 761-7200

Raw footage from the fertilizer plant explosion in Waco, Texas on Wednesday, April 17, 2013 — showing witnesses suffered hearing loss from the explosion.

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The population of West, Texas is 2,674.

Morning Briefing: FBI, Law and Medical Conferences on Boston Marathon Attack

Cardinal News — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 14:38:57 +0000

LIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT CONFERENCE (8:40 AM CDT):
(Gov. Deval Patrick, FBI Rick DesLauriers and others)

No one in custody.

“Two, and only two, explosive parcels found” … no unexploded devices were discovered.

Three killed, 176 injured, 17 critically injured.

The most complex crime scene in the history of the Boston Police Department.

Police are seeking all images photographed in the area immediately before, during and after the time of detonation. All digital images are being processed and scrutinized.

The location is one of the most photographed and

LIVE MEDICAL CONFERENCE (9:15 CDT): SURGEONS BRIEFING AT MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL …
(George C. Velmahos, MD, PhD, MSEd Chief, Division of Trauma, Emergency Surgery, and Surgical Critical Care, Massachusetts General Hospital)

Four amputations performed (surgeons completed what the bomb had already done).

Injuries described as lower limb injuries with much blood loss that caused physiological problems. Heart needs to compensate and cause organs to fail. Rapid intervention is expected to prevent the problems.

Bomb injuries. Primary injury is caused by blast wave or shock wave — include ruptured ear drums, overpressure damage to organs. Internal damage to organs can be underestimated. Secondary injury is caused by penetrating trauma from objects propelled by fragments of the bomb/explosion. Tertiary injuries are caused by the blast wave propelling victims into solid objects, which can cause blunt trauma or penetrating trauma — including fractures and contracoup injuries (brain hitting skull). Quaternary injuries include burns and respiratory injuries.

Surgeon reports that bomb fragment/shrapnel were discovered during surgery — showing people with 10, 20, or 30 impacts with sharp objects, nails or unidentified sharp objects.

Patients that are in Intensive Care Unit are still intubated (airway) and have not been interviewed. Most patients are conscious, but some are medically sedated.

Age range of victims 28 to 71 at Massachusetts General Hospital.

All victims have been identified. All of the traumatically injured victims were spectators. Three runners had minor injuries.

Because of rapid pre-hospital care lives were saved.

Tufts Medical Center is briefing at noon.

Cell Phone Disruption Caused by Network Overload, Not Police or Homeland Security Measures

Cardinal News — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 12:55:49 +0000

April 15 (Bloomberg) — Bloomberg interview with Richard Falkenrath, former White House Homeland Security Advisor and NYPD Deputy Commissioner, explaining that incorrect information is common during incidents similar to the Boston Marathon bomb attacks.

In the midst of the Boston Marathon bombing attack and aftermath, some media reports stated that cell phone service was shut down to prevent remote cell phone detonation of any undiscovered bombs — as a security measure.

Cellphones are known to be used to detonate improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the Middle East. The trigger for a radio-controlled IED is controlled by the radio link established by devices such as cellphones.

Police officials and the wireless companies are reporting the cell phone service providers were not asked to turn off cellular service. AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon Wireless were actually working to augment cellular voice service in the area.

Also AT&T and Sprint requested that customers in Boston use text messages to communicate rather than call to free up lines for emergency personnel.

AT&T announced that it would extend the period of time that its temporary Wi-Fi would be setup for the Boston Marathon. AT&T provided free Wi-Fi to its customers at the start line of the 117th Boston Marathon in Hopkinton and at the finish line on Boylston Street. AT&T, the Official Wireless Provider of the 117th Boston Marathon, offered other free features to help athletes and spectators experience the 2013 Boston Marathon. With AT&T Athlete Alert, Marathon fans who wanted to track the progress of their friends and family, or their favorite elite runner, could get updates sent to their mobile phone or email, in real-time.

“Boston customers may have issues w/wireless voice & data service due to spike in network activity. Our Wi-Fi remains on at #BostonMarathon.”

– AT&T on Twitter

Two powerful bombs killed three people and injured over 140 people near the finish of the Boston Marathon at about 2:50 p.m. Monday.

“Verizon Wireless has been enhancing network voice capacity to enable additional calling in the Copley Square area of Boston. Customers are advised to use text or email to free up voice capacity for public safety officials at the scene. There was no damage to the Verizon Wireless network, which is seeing elevated calling and data usage throughout the region since the explosions occurred.”

– Verizon Wireless

Two Explosions at Boston Marathon: 3 Killed, 130 Injured Near the Finish Line

Cardinal News — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 19:36:18 +0000

Still shot of explosion at the Boston Marathon.

Initially dozens were reported seriously injured at the Boston Marathon. A witness reported there are fatalities. That same person reported later on video that at least three people were killed. Race officials were seen running toward the scene. Many people have been seen bleeding. Witness at the scene are reporting seeing horrific wounds. One person reported seeing a severed leg.

First explosion just before the photo bridge, just east of Exeter Street on Boylston Street. Second explosion was on Boylston Street, just west of Ring Road. The two explosions were 12 seconds and 100 yards apart. Sound of two booms that sounded like thunder.

Firefighters were seen immediately running to the scene to help the injured. Numerous injured are on the ground. National Guard personnel already on the scene helped move temporary barricades to get to the injured.

Initially it was estimated that runners at the 3:30 to 4:30 mark were passing the finish line at the time of the explosions. Then video showed that runners at the four hour mark (4:09) were shown arriving to the finish line when the explosions occurred.

Casualties: 3 killed, More than 141 Injured
Early Hospital report: 10 person with amputations of limbs reported by an emergency physician to a news affiliate.

3 killed — including an 8-year-old boy who had just hugged his father crossing the finish line.

Seventeen in critical condition.

Victims transported to eight local hospitals included a victim as young as 2-years-old.

Massachusetts General Hospital admitted 29 patients, 8 of them in critical condition; with several victims needing amputations.

Brigham and Women’s Hospital admitted 31 patients who were injured in the explosions, ranging from age 3 to the 60s. As many as 10 were listed in serious condition, and 2 were in critical condition. The 3-year-old was immediately transferred to Boston Children’s Hospital.

Media reported (about 3:59 p.m. ET) that a controlled explosion was about to occur for another suspicious device or confirmed device found near the scene.

VIDEO STILL IMAGE: Emergency response shown on Fox News near Finish Line of Boston Marathon.

Landslide Prompts Evacuation of 34 Homes on Whidbey Island, North of Seattle, Washington

Cardinal News — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 14:16:05 +0000

Dozens of residents of a hillside overlooking scenic Puget Sound have evacuated their homes after a landslide occurred early Wednesday on Whidbey Island, about 50 miles north of Seattle.

About 400-500 yards of earth of Whidbey Island slid off the coast of Washington about 600-700 yards into the water early this morning, forcing the evacuation of 34 homes.

A steady stream of soil can be seen leaking out from beneath one of the homes, which is now at the edge of the new cliff created by the landslide. Authorities are continuing to monitor a damaged house where there’s still slide activity. Dirt continues to pour off the cliff.

Central Whidbey Island Fire and Rescue responded about 4 a.m. to a home just south of Coupeville on the west side of Whidbey Island, Washington. Firefighters discovered the home had been pushed off its foundation. When firefighters arrived the home had already moved a considerable distance.

Eric Brooks, Island County Department of Emergency Management, reports that the earth will continue to slide until it stabilizes. The type of soil is conducive to landslides.

Raw video of coastline and landslide.

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