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Tornado levels homes, a school, in Oklahoma City suburb
Shawnee, Oklahoma (CNN) — [Breaking news update at 4:58 p.m. Monday]
Areas of metropolitan Oklahoma City appeared to be in shreds Monday afternoon after a massive tornado moved through the region. “The houses are destroyed. … Completely leveled,” a helicopter pilot for CNN affiliate KFOR said. A school was apparently among the structures leveled by the twister.
[Original story, posted at 4:48 p.m. Monday]
Tornado tears through southern suburbs of Oklahoma City
A tornado struck just south of Oklahoma City on Monday afternoon, ripping apart homes and other buildings in populated areas.
The National Weather Service issued a rare tornado emergency for the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, meaning that significant and widespread damage and fatalities were likely.
Video from CNN affiliates showed a funnel cloud stretching from the sky to the ground, kicking up debris.
The tornado was estimated to be at least two miles wide at one point as it moved through Moore, Oklahoma, in the southern part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, CNN affiliate KFOR reported.
Meteorologists warned residents to go underground to survive a direct hit from the tornado.
“It’s just destroying everything. There’s so many homes in the air right now. The motion on this storm is sickening,” said storm chaser Spencer Basoco.
More than 171,000 people could have been in the path of the storm.
The severe weather comes after tornadoes and powerful storms ripped through Oklahoma and the Midwest earlier Monday and on Sunday.
Forecasters had warned that the destructive weather, which killed at least two people, wasn’t over.
“Today could be potentially as dangerous as yesterday,” CNN meteorologist Indra Petersons said Monday morning, pointing to a wide swath of the country spanning from Texas to Michigan. “We’re talking about 500,000 square miles under the gun for severe weather.”
As they braced for more possible storms, residents in the hardest-hit areas were combing through rubble where their homes once stood.
“My mind is, like, blown, completely blown,” said Jessie Addington, 21, who found that few pieces of her childhood home in Shawnee, Oklahoma, were still standing Monday.
Addington, who now lives in a nearby town, said her mother huddled in the mobile home’s bathroom when the storm hit. But the tornado still tossed her around like a rag doll, leaving her bruised and battered.
When Addington arrived, she was shocked to find the neighborhood where she had lived for 17 years reduced to ruins.
“I’m feeling cheated, to be honest,” she said, “like, it’s just all gone.”
An estimated 300 homes were damaged or destroyed across Oklahoma, Red Cross spokesman Ken Garcia said.
Viewed from the air, the extent of the damage was staggering, said John Welsh, a helicopter pilot for CNN affiliate KFOR in Oklahoma. “Like you took the house, you put it in a gigantic blender, you turned it on pulse for a couple minutes and then you just dumped it out.”
For Justin Dunsworth, watching a large twister head toward homes in Shawnee on Sunday was a deeply personal experience. Three years ago, a tornado destroyed his house. This time around, he saw a tornado plow toward a mobile home park a quarter-mile away from where he lives. On Monday, he sent videos he recorded of the large, gray twister to CNN’s iReport.
“There’s a sense of fear while looking at the massive funnel not knowing whether it was going to turn towards us, as unpredictable as they are,” he said. “Your adrenaline is so high, just knowing that it’s tearing into other homes and possibly injuring people, or worse.”
Oklahoma resident: ‘It’s just devastating’
Two men, both in their 70s, were confirmed dead as a result of a tornado that hit Shawnee, said Amy Elliott, a spokeswoman for the state medical examiner’s office.
When Kimberly Graham returned to the spot near Shawnee where her mobile home once stood, her 7-year-old son’s orange bicycle was one of the only items that remained.
“Home, cars, garage, everything — gone,” she told CNN on Monday. “It’s just devastating. Everything that you’ve worked for. Everything that you’ve built.”
As many as 28 tornadoes were reported in Oklahoma, Kansas, Illinois and Iowa, according to the National Weather Service, with Oklahoma and Kansas the hardest hit. Some of those reports might have been of the same tornado.
Early Monday morning, a tornado touched down in Golden City, Missouri, and tore through two counties, Barton County Emergency Management Director Tom Ryan said. The number of injuries and extent of damage were not immediately clear.
In Oklahoma, the storm left highways littered with debris, smashed cars and flipped over semi trucks. An 18-wheeler blew off an overpass on Interstate 40 and was practically flattened.
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin declared a state of emergency after tornadoes tore through 16 counties in her state Sunday. Twenty-three people were injured, she told CNN.
The governor surveyed damage throughout the state Monday, including a street where one of her own staffers lost her home.
“She was cooking dinner, and one of her neighbors texted her and said, ‘You’d better hurry right now down the street, because we see the tornado coming.’ So she left the kitchen and ran out, left her dogs in the house,” Fallin told CNN.
When the staffer came back to the property several hours later, the dogs were there, Fallin said, but her house had been destroyed.
“It’s totally devastating here, massive destruction,” the governor said. “We’re just very fortunate that we didn’t have more loss of life in this area.”
A stark landscape where homes once stood
Ethan Mignard, who works in Shawnee, told CNN’s iReport that the stark landscape in nearby Dale, Oklahoma, after the storm passed looked like something he’d only seen before on TV.
Large, rectangular patches of dirt were all that remained where mobile homes once stood. Cinder blocks were scattered across the ground like children’s toys. Twisted metal and pieces of insulation filled the trees. At the site of one home, all that remained were the front steps.
“It looks so out of place. … To think that you would have taken these stairs to enter a home,” he said, “but instead, you look around from up there and you see total destruction everywhere.”
More tornadoes were spotted in Iowa, near Earlham, Huxley and east of Dallas Center, according to the National Weather Service.
The agency also confirmed a twister in the northwestern Illinois county of Carroll.
A combination of factors — including strong winds and warm, moist air banging against dry air — means severe weather could continue sweeping across a wide swath of the United States for days, Petersons said.
“Keep in mind we have all the ingredients out there that we need,” she said.
Tornado watches are in effect for portions of southeastern Kansas, western and central Missouri, northwest Arkansas, central and eastern Oklahoma and northwestern Texas until 10 p.m. (11 p.m. ET).
source: CNN’s Nick Valencia reported from Shawnee, Oklahoma. CNN’s Catherine E. Shoichet and Holly Yan reported from Atlanta. CNN’s Daphne Sashin, George Howell, Marlena Baldacci, Jareen Imam, Dana Ford, AnneClaire Stapleton, Sean Morris, Jackie Castillo, Alexandra Steele and Chris Friedman contributed to this report.
New Strain of Bird Flu Kills 18
RSOE EDIS ALERTMAIL
Posted:2013-03-31, 13:02:52 [UTC]
Ref.no.: BH-20130331-38689-CHN
Situation Update No. 41
On 2013-04-21 at 10:27:37 [UTC]
Event: Biological Hazard
Location: Capital city, Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces Multiple areas China
Number of Deads: 18 person(s)
Number of Injured: 0 person(s)
Number of Evacuated: 0 person(s)
Number of Infected: 96 person(s)
Situation:
The death toll from a new strain of bird flu in China has reached 18, with dozens infected, state-run media reported, after experts said there is no evidence so far of human-to-human transmission. A 69-year-old man surnamed Xu is the most recent person to die from from the H7N9 virus, China’s official news-agency Xinhua said on its website Saturday. He died on Friday in eastern province of Zhejiang, the agency said. The virus has been found in a total of 96 people, mostly in eastern China, but the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Saturday that there was “no evidence of ongoing human-to-human transmission”. The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention had earlier said 40 percent of patients with H7N9 had not come into contact with poultry, raising questions about how people are becoming infected. It also emerged that the virus had spread among family members in China’s commercial hub Shanghai, raising fears that it was passing between humans.
Chinese Earthquake – Update
RSOE EDIS ALERTMAIL
Posted:2013-04-20, 04:13:14 [UTC]
Ref.no.: EQ-20130420-38919-CHN
Situation Update No. 7
On 2013-04-21 at 14:49:34 [UTC]
Event: Earthquake
Location: Kangding and Ya an Regions Province of Sichuan China
Number of Deads: 203 person(s)
Number of Injured: 11500 person(s)
Number of Missing: 24 person(s)
Number of Evacuated: 0 person(s)
Number of Infected: 0 person(s)
Situation:
At least 203 people are believed to have died following a powerful earthquake in China. Some 11,500 were injured – almost 1,000 of them seriously – when the 6.6-magnitude earthquake struck near remote hill villages in Sichuan province. The body count is expected to rise as more than 15,000 rescuers search the rubble for survivors, although many emergency workers have been forced to walk to the disaster scene after roads were blocked by landslides. The rescue effort has also been hit by aftershocks that were almost as strong as the initial quake. More than 6,000 troops have joined the rescue efforts, but one soldier died and seven were injured when their vehicle plunged over a ravine into a river on their way to the epicentre.
Boston Bombings Update
Posted:2013-04-15, 19:21:47 [UTC]
Ref.no.: VW-20130415-38858-USA
Situation Update No. 20
On 2013-04-16 at 08:24:29 [UTC]
Event: Terror Attack
Location: Boston Dartmouth and Boylston streets State of Massachusetts USA (Pacific Region)
Number of Deads: 3 person(s)
Number of Injured: 140 person(s)
Number of Evacuated: 0 person(s)
Number of Infected: 0 person(s)
Situation:
Boston police and a cadre of federal officials descended on an Ocean Avenue apartment complex in Revere last night. In addition to two Boston Police K-9 units and a bomb squad unit, a large contingent of federal agents from the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as well as Homeland Security investigations and state police had assembled at the two buildings. It was unclear whether the search was connected to the Boston Marathon bombings. Tight-lipped agents said nothing to assembled media. Worried building residents said they were left in the dark. Marcus Worthington, 24, a building resident said no one has told him what was happening. “I started noticing the cars, the Taurus there and that one about 5,” Worthington said. “We were thankful we decide not to go down. It’s best not to jump to conclusions.” Worthington’s girlfriend Whitney Drake, 24, was concerned. “It’s never a good thing to see all of these agencies. It’s more than a local problem,” Drake said. Revere Fire Department engine and ladder arrived with Cataldo Ambulance service arrived about 10:30 p.m. Officials had no comment when asked by reporters what was happening. Boston Police Crime Scene Response unit which collects evidence following major crimes arrived and two members of that unit took several brown paper bags, normally used to store evidence taken from the scene, into the building.
A massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocks Iran
Posted:2013-04-16, 11:12:44 [UTC]
Ref.no.: EQ-20130416-38868-IRN
Situation Update No. 1
On 2013-04-16 at 12:07:42 [UTC]
Event: Earthquake
Location: About 86 km ESE from Khash State of Baluchestan Iran
Number of Deads: 40 person(s)
Number of Injured: 0 person(s)
Number of Evacuated: 0 person(s)
Number of Infected: 0 person(s)
Situation:
At least 40 people are feared dead in Iran following a powerful earthquake near its border with Pakistan, Iran’s state-run Press TV reported Tuesday, citing local reports. The earthquake was preliminarily measured at 7.8 magnitude, the U.S. Geological Survey said. The epicenter was 53 miles east-southeast of the Iranian town of Khash, 103 miles northeast of Iranshahr and 123 miles south-east of Zahedan, according to the USGS. Shafiq Ahmed, an official with Pakistan’s metreological department, told CNN the tremor, which he put at magnitude 7.9, struck inside southern Iran, near the border with Pakistan. Tremors were felt in southern Pakistan, including the city of Karachi, and across Balochistan province from Gwadar on the southern coast to Quetta and the border with Iran. Carrieann Bedwell, a USGS seismologist, said a 7.8 magnitude earthquake was “a large event for any area” and could be expected to cause damage in inhabited places. Aftershocks can be expected for days or weeks after a quake of the magnitude, she said. The earthquake was felt as far away as Abu Dhabi, where buildings shook for 40 seconds or more, but it’s not yet clear what damage has been caused across the region.
BOSTON BOMBINGS KEY POINTS
Key Points
- Two explosions at the finish line of the Boston Marathon have left at least two dead and 23 injured, and police have found and are dismantling at least two other explosive devices.
- Video and photographs from Boston show a scene of confusion, with emergency services descending on the scene and bloodied spectators being taken to a medical tent.
- “There are a lot of people down,” said one runner quoted by AP news agency.
Two people have been killed and at least 23 injured in two explosions at the finish line of the Boston Marathon, police say.
The blasts shattered the carnival atmosphere of one of the biggest sporting events in the US, causing panic and confusion.
A later incident at JFK Library in the city appears not to have caused casualties, Boston police say.
The cause of the explosions has yet to be identified.
Boston’s police commissioner has urged people in the city to stay indoors, and not congregate in large groups.
The city mayor’s office has set up an emergency hotline for friends and relatives on +1 617 635 4500.
A spokeswoman for Massachusetts General Hospital in the city told Reuters news agency that it was treating 19 victims of the explosions in its emergency room, but information about their condition was not immediately available.
The Federal Aviation Administration has created a no-fly zone over the area, while security at key sites in Washington DC and New York has been tightened.
A White House official said President Barack Obama had called Boston Mayor Tom Menino and Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick to offer federal assistance.
Vice President Joe Biden – breaking off from a telephone conference call on gun control – said: “Our prayers are with those people in Boston who have suffered injury.”
‘Massive explosion’
The first explosion came at about 14:50 local time (18:50 GMT), approximately two hours after the winners crossed the line.
There was a loud explosion on the north side of Boylston Street, just before the finish line. Another loud explosion could be heard a few seconds later, and smoke could be seen rising from the scene of the blasts.
Bloodied victims were initially rushed to a medical tent set up to care for fatigued runners.
Emergency services descended on the scene, which was quickly locked down.
Mike Mitchell of Vancouver, Canada, a runner who had finished the race, said he was looking back at the finish line when he saw a “massive explosion.”
Smoke rose 50ft (15m) in the air, he told Reuters news agency, and people began running away and screaming after hearing the noise. “Everybody freaked out,” he said.
Stragglers heading for the finish line were rerouted away from the smoking site of the blasts.
The annual Boston Marathon attracts a large field of runners and hundreds of thousands of spectators.
British police are reviewing security plans for Sunday’s London Marathon, the next major international marathon, following events in Boston.
SOURCE BBCNEWS
Boston Bombings Latest Updates
- NEW: Authorities are dismantling other explosives, a source tells CNN
- NEW: 6 of the injured are in critical condition
- NEW: U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder directs resources to assist investigation
- 2 dead, according to police; 28 injured, according to hospitals
Boston Marathon “Bombing”
Boston Marathon ‘bombing’: live
Live coverage as two people are confirmed dead and dozens injured in twin explosions at the Boston Marathon.
Complex Emergency In place for parts of UK & Northern Ireland
Posted:2013-03-25, 08:02:25 [UTC]
Ref.no.: CE-20130325-38633-GBR
Situation Update No. 1
On 2013-03-27 at 04:26:46 [UTC]
Event: Complex Emergency
Location: Northern Ireland-wide Northern Ireland United Kingdom
Number of Deads: 0 person(s)
Number of Injured: 0 person(s)
Number of Evacuated: 0 person(s)
Number of Infected: 0 person(s)
Situation:
A British army helicopter has been called in as part of an emergency operation to reach farms and families still cut off by snow drifts in Northern Ireland. Thousands of animals have been buried in the snow with some farmers saying their livelihoods have been lost as a result. The helicopter is being used to airlift fodder and provisions to farmers, who are now bracing themselves for more snow expected later this week. Agencies involved in the severe weather response are warning hill walkers of hazards, such as cornices and avalanche risks, in areas affected by snow and strong winds. All walkers are being urged to consider the potential risks before embarking on any walks in those areas. Motorists are asked to continue restricting their journeys to those that are absolutely necessary in affected areas. Meanwhile, Met Eireann has issued a weather warning for most of the country, and has forecast sub-zero temperatures overnight. The snow-ice warning covers Munster, Connacht, Leinster, Cavan and Monaghan. Light snow showers and icy stretches on roads can be expected until at least 6am tomorrow. Temperatures tonight are forecast to fall to between zero and -3C in some areas. Tomorrow is also expected to be bitterly cold, with sleet and snow showers. The cold weather is expected to continue for several days. Met Eireann expects that over the Easter weekend outbreaks of rain, sleet and snow will become more widespread from the southwest.
More Flooding In Penzance & Newlyn – Be Prepared
Issued at:
1118 on Thu 21 Mar 2013
Valid from:
2100 on Thu 21 Mar 2013
Valid to:
2300 on Fri 22 Mar 2013
Rain will become heavy and prolonged on Thursday night, persisting through much of Friday. The public should be prepared for localised flooding and
disruption to travel.
Frontal bands pushing northeastwards during the latter part of Thursday and during Friday will find their progress slowed up by a blocking area of high pressure located northeast of the United Kingdom. This will result in the associated rain-bearing systems becoming slow-moving over southwestern parts of England and Wales leading to heavy and, at times, prolonged rainfall. 40 to 60mm is expected to fall widely over southern parts of both Cornwall and Devon by the end of Friday with the potential for in excess of 100mm to fall over exposed southern and southeastern upslopes. Southeasterly winds will also increase to reach gale force around exposed coasts and also over high ground.
