Devastation in Oklahoma

Every May there are sirens and every May there are tornadoes along with jokes about going back to sleep or watching the funnels from your front porch. Then there's that year when the interior closet or bathtub aren't any safer than standing out in the rain because the force that is moving over the earth is just eating everything up as it goes. 

I've had texts and phone calls from my parents the last three Mays saying they were driving to the local hospital to get in the basement, waiting in lockdown at work, or running to the library just down the street from their home. They're Oklahoma natives but I think they've had more close calls since they've been in the OKC area than in all their years living further south. My dad texted me this video he took on Sunday, May 19th right after he and my mom ran to the library down the street from their house. They were just about to lock the doors when they arrived. This tornado went nearer to Edmond and did a little bit of damage to power lines and ripped trees out of friend's yards.

I remember feeling relieved that the damage was minor until getting a call from my mom saying Shawnee, the town where Brett and I spent six years during and after college, had been hit. We called our friends to check on them and were able to reach them but later learned a whole trailer park had been wiped out ending in two deaths and more injuries. I went to bed right after hearing there may be more storms Monday.

I had arrived at Sebastian's school for his end of the year party Monday afternoon when I got another text from my dad saying he'd left work early and that my mom was in lockdown at her school again and that a big one was headed to Moore. I sat in the hallway outside his class glued to the KFOR news app but then school was out and there were teacher gifts to give and books to sign and other mamas to hug. It was raining and the sky was moody and we sat in the car talking about his day when my dad texted asking if I'd seen anything about the school being hit. My heart sunk. 

I sit here tonight with a heavy, heavy heart for the people in Moore that have been hit with yet another historic, devastating tornado but so much more for the families of those K-3rd graders and staff that have been the focus of all news stations. I really just can't imagine not being able to get to my kids or the agony of waiting to confirm whether they'd survived or not. My mama heart hurts for those families. 

It's been mentioned on Twitter and in the news that you can help the towns of Shawnee and Moore as well as surrounding areas by donating to both local and national charities. Here's another list of places. 

I drove through Joplin a few weeks after the destruction there and was surprised to still see volunteer tents with people handing out food and water to workers clearing debris from neighborhoods and commercial sites. I will never forget the feeling of driving down residential streets that I could tell had held 100 year old houses from the state of the foundations and not seeing a whole tree for blocks. Seeing the twisted metal of the roof of the sporting goods store, piles of shoes and clothes and belongings waiting to be claimed, stacks of crushed cars being gathered and removed from parking lots was haunting but I was so moved that people were still there working to rebuild.

Clean up is going to take weeks and recovery is going to take months for the families in the affected areas. Let's help in ways we can. 

-Rachel

Comments

[Mel]

So heartbreaking. Thanks for sharing those links.

[Elizabeth]

I'm so glad your family and friends are safe and am so heartbroken for those who've lost loved ones. Yet another occasion where you want to hug every school teacher in sight. Love and prayers to all.

[margot]

absolutely terrible. very glad to hear your peeps are safe - thanks for sharing these links on how to help!

[mel]

I'm so glad your family is okay! There is a somber mood here in Tulsa today.

[Emily]

It seems like it's getting worse and worse. Living in tornado alley it's a part of life, but since this and Joplin we really need to take them more seriously. Glad that everyone you love is safe! Can't imagine not being able to get to my kids! Just horrible.

[Haley]

I remember the terror surrounding the evening of the Joplin tornados. My dad took all of his vacation time from work to volunteer down there, and I know he's feeling the same right now with Moore. He came back from Joplin telling me that even in a shelter, there was absolutely no place safe enough for a tornado of that size. I'll always remember that - and it makes my heart ache even more when I think about the tornados in Oklahoma the past few days. So, so glad your parents are doing alright!

[Bekah]

I'm glad to hear your loved ones are safe. I've lived in Oklahoma my whole life (we are in the Tulsa area, so we were safe). Seeing my home state take a hit like this is devastating, but it's also incredibly inspiring to see those who are so willing to help. I am so proud to be an Oklahoman! I hope everyone continues to pray for and help the Moore area however possible in the coming days and weeks.

[Sarah]

I feel a total loss for words regarding yesterday's weather devastation. I live in Alabama only a mile or two from a community that was leveled by an F5 in 2011. In one day, there were dozens of tornadoes across the state and 100s lost their lives. The fear/scar is still raw from that day: taking cover in the closet and knowing it wouldn't be sufficient but that the tornado was headed our direction. I still can't begin to fathom what the people in Moore OK are dealing with and what they will face in the years to come. Such sadness.

[Lesley]

Thanks Rachel, so often you write exactly what's needed! I'm in Canada, my cousin's in Oklahoma and it feels so far away and helpless. Now I have options for helping and don't feel so paralyzed. Bless you big time. xox

[Joye]

Wow. It's been so heartbreaking to watch. I can't imagine how you felt just waiting to hear back from your family. So very thankful they're ok! Thanks for sharing the links to help.

[Charlotte]

As someone from north Norman, thank you for sharing the donation links.

[Kate]

Thanks for writing this Rachel. I'm in Oklahoma City and the destruction is overwhelming. Thankfully, the reactions of our community and the nation have been remarkable. There are several communities affected by this storm and, you're right, the need with be massive and long term. An organization not mentioned that I would like to add to the list-- United Way of OKC. They work with nonprofits and ensure that they have money not just now, but in 6 months, a year, etc. They have waived all administrative fees for disaster donations as well. Here's a link. http://www.unitedwayokc.org/