Three Deadly Tornadoes So Many Years Apart

There are so many things going on that one could blog about, but all of those things take the back burner as the United States learns the full story of the devestating tornado that engulfed Joplin, Missouri last night. The death toll is over one hundred and still rising as of this evening. Early assessment reports state that as much as thirty percent of the city was destroyed in just a few minutes. Our hearts go out to the victims of this tornado, and our sympathy for those who lost loved ones.

I recall that the Great Tornado of 1953 struck Waco, Texas on May 9, 1953. I was born only eight years later. When I was in elementary school in the late sixties the Waco tornado was still a hot topic, the memories of those who had survived still quite vivid. When one drove through Waco, particularly downtown, the scars of that storm could still be seen into the late seventies. Over one hundred and fifty people lost their lives in that storm.

Another terrible storm occurred in 1953, one of which I was not aware until today. Almost a month later to the day, June 8, 1953, a deadly tornado struck Flint, Michigan. The last estimate was that one hundred and sixteen people died in that storm. Only a day later, May 9th, a tornado originating in the same weather system struck Worcester, Massachusetts killing ninety-six people. This same storm system produced several other tornadoes in an area not usually considered part of the infamous "Tornado Alley."

So tornadoes happen out of season and in unexpected places. So far weather predictors have not been able to accurately predict when and where tornadoes will form, nor how severe the storms will probably be. Sometime that luxury may exist, but at the moment tornadoes remain one of those things for which we can only prepare for and educate ourselves about during calm moments. When these storms hit, it is too late to do anything other than take shelter and hope for the best.

So tonight I take time away from my usual sources of blogistics and just acknowledge my concern and care for those suffering now because of this terrible storm. Of course we are reminded of the storms that only last week took many lives and destroyed property throughout the south and east. My prayers go out to those who are hurt, those who lost loved ones, and to those who did their jobs in the face of danger to aid the victims of this tragedy.