Texas tornadoes: Eleven killed in Dallas area

[MowCowWhoHow III]

Source: BBC

Eleven people are reported to have been killed in tornadoes in Texas, raising the death toll to 29 in a week of storms across several US states.

At least eight people died in Garland, near Dallas, five of them when their cars were blown off a motorway. Three bodies were found in other towns.

Officials also say west Texas and New Mexico could suffer major blizzards, bringing up to 16in (41cm) of snow.

The storms across the South have been unusually powerful for winter.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-35184869

[Trailrider1951]

1. Live coverage here:

http://www.nbcdfw.com/weather/stories/Severe-Storms-Leave-Damage-in-North-Texas-363566391.html

[James48]

2. but Texans still deny climate change

[DhhD]

4. We are very afraid of what summer might be as most of this December has been in the 70s

for about half of the days this month.

https://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=AwrSbDVI.X9W62QAxC.l87UF;_ylc=X1MDOTU4MTA0NjkEX3IDMgRmcgMEZ3ByaWQDNDdJUXp1dTlTaGVZRTNxZXZncTUyQQRuX3JzbHQDMARuX3N1Z2cDNARvcmlnaW4Dc2VhcmNoLnlhaG9vLmNvbQRwb3MDMARwcXN0cgMEcHFzdHJsAwRxc3RybAM0MQRxdWVyeQNTdW1tZXIgb2YgMTk4MCBicmVha3MgdGVtcGVyYXR1cmUgcmVjb3JkcwR0X3N0bXADMTQ1MTIyNzQ2Nw--?p=Summer+of+1980+breaks+temperature+records&fr=sfp&fr2=sb-top-search&iscqry=

[ananda]

8. I don't think it's agin the law to say the words though ...

... yet.

[Paladin]

12. Inappropriate comment, given the circumstances. (nt)

[trillion]

17. How so?

[Ishoutandscream2]

19. Because at this moment, lives are lost and affected

We're just trying to clean up here in the Rockwall, Rowlett, Collin County area. Try to be a bit empathetic at this current time.

[easttexaslefty]

14. People died.

Including a 3 day old baby. Hundreds are now homeless less than 30 miles from me. No one in MY family denies climate change. Why paint with such a broad brush?

[trillion]

18. How do most Texans feel about climate change?

I doubt you are a right winger since you're on this board. I believe most of the climate deniers come from the right wing. That said, very sad about the baby and the homeless.

[easttexaslefty]

22. How would I possibly know that

Since I don't know most texas.
I believe in climate change. As do my family and most of all my friends who live in texas.

[BeyondGeography]

21. And people from all 50 states are still tone deaf

[Calista241]

35. Cause of course there were never Tornados before climate change

Comments like this, blaming natural phenomena on climate change, only hurts the overall cause.

Tornados of this strength, and at this time of year, have occurred multiple times in just the last 50 years. If you want to point out effects of climate change, how about pointing at glacier loss, habitat loss, droughts, rising sea levels and stuff like that. But climate change is not responsible for all severe weather that occurs. Severe weather has been happening non stop since the Earth developed an atmosphere, and well before humans existed.

[bdwker]

3. Just terrible.

[BlueEye]

6. Surprisingly high death toll, concentrated in a smaller geographical area than the December 24th...

tornadoes, which was a multi-state event. I am wondering if this line of storms caught the National Weather Service by surprise. The DFW area is normally pretty good at warning people.

RIP to those lost.

[PersonNumber503602]

7. I'm in the DFW area, and they knew about it and were issuing watches and warnings

If you're out and about and don't notice or don't/can't heed the warnings, then bad things can happen. Even if you do, not everyone has storm shelters. I don't. I'm not even sure what I would do if a tornado decides to rip straight through my place. Sure I could find a "safe" spot in the house, and cover myself with something like mattress ( i think some guy did that with him and his family last night) and maybe make it through if I get lucky.

[JCMach1]

10. If you are travelling, you night not get the warning. These storms were moving 40-50 mph.

Extremely fast for supercells.

One of the cells missed us in North Dallas by a scant 4-5 miles.

[alfredo]

9. A friend from the area said a dam upstream from Dallas is leaking and could fail.

[snooper2]

11. we were having a garage party with friends and got the very tail end of it

some shingles and some pieces of plywood sheeting starting hitting our yard/house/cars

Got the kids in the safe area of house and it was nuts...

In Wylie TX just north of Garland. Last night we just thought some sheds get destroyed and had no idea-



Sad all around

[Ishoutandscream2]

16. I drove through Copeville on 78 about 30 minutes after the twister hit

Drive that way to my business in McKinney. The gas station that was hit was a place I would occasionally stop and get a coke. When I was coming home last night, traffic was rerouted. Saw a lot of people in the headlights of emergency personnel vehicles holding one another and crying. Probably had just lost their homes or found out about the deaths in the gas station.

It was all around us, but somehow missed us. I feel so fortunate that myself and my family got through this. But we know (as I'm sure you do as well) several people who have lost their homes. Such a sickening feeling.

[vkkv]

13. Very sad for the families... no goodbyes..

Enjoy every moment because you never know..


I'm still quite sure though that the single star on the NFL Cowboys' helmets isn't a logo, it's a rating.

[Ishoutandscream2]

15. What the fuck does your last sentence mean?

And what does it have to do with the tragedy that occurred in my community? If you're attempting humor, you have struck out.

[trillion]

20. I'm pretty sure the politicians in Texas aren't going to link this to climate change and are

going to continue practices that add to it.

Look, something happened this year. We got hotter up there in the ozone. We had hurricane Patricia nearly upgraded to a 6.0 when there wasn't a 6.0 on the hurricane scale. More hurricanes came out that were nearly upgraded to 6.0. These hurricanes dropped more water on places than ever seen and that alone was more dangerous than anyone would have guessed rain can be. The storms since hurricane season ended have been unpresidented with the water they are dropping. In south America right now four countries are in massive unprecedented flood state. The weather is getting worse every year and every season now is unprecedented.

And to top all that off Cop21 in Paris came out with plans to reduce 1/3 of carbon by 2050 - 35 friggen years away. I don't think millions will be able to make it that far as the weather gets worse and deadlier than ever, every year. Texas being a rightwing nutcase state of climate deniers does make us consider it's a 1 star state.

I'm sorry for the people in the eye of the storm there - dying and homeless. It's only going to get worse because Texas's politicians as well as the other right wing ones in congress are going to prevent us from any meaningful climate legislation and from leading the world in getting everyone to curb carbon and go green energy. I think Texas is 1000 percent fair game and especially since they are suffering from climate change which they deny and which they help cause.

That said, good luck to all of you. I wouldn't wish homeless on anyone or death. That doesn't mean I miss the irony of texas feeling climate change while denying it exists.

To be clear, I do not believe you personally would even be on this board if you were a right winger or a climate change denier.

[Paladin]

23. Thanks for nothing.

Same goes for the rest of you mean-spirited Texas Haters who turned up to gloat and snicker over these tragic events.

[trillion]

24. I think you're overly sensitive about a state that has done backflips to turn itself into a

climate denial state. yes people are dying - FROM CLIMATE CHANGE and in a state that doesn't believe in climate change. And, the number one OIL state. It's not insensitive to point it out. We all feel bad for the people suffering.
Regardless, be safe and multiply. I've heard that without gerrymandering Texas is on the verge of going blue.

[LanternWaste]

25. The important thing is neither death nor climate change, but your simplistic allegations

The important thing is neither death nor climate change, but your simplistic allegations and presumption regarding other posters.

[Paladin]

26. And we life-long Texas Democrats should just move or fuck ourselves, right?

No need for a reply from you, I know the response to that one---as does every long-time DU Texan.

Sorry to interrupt your trashing of every single resident of my beloved, if seriously flawed, state. And again: thanks for nothing.

[vkkv]

27. J.F.K.

And many more reasons.

Do us all a BIG FAVOR and secede!

[Ishoutandscream2]

29. Fuck you, part 2

I live in the affected area, asshole. I know of two families who are homeless because of this twister. It barely missed my neighborhood.

You are a bigoted, selfish, sick asshole. There are people who have lost their lives and their possessions, and you do this. You have shown you are a hater, and you seem to take great glee (like quite a few DUers), that this occurred.

Go to hell, asshole. And fuck you, too.

[Ishoutandscream2]

31. JFK. Yep, all of us pulled the trigger

You have proven to be a bigot.

Do me a favor and go to hell.

[kentauros]

38. And from your "fine" home state: Nixon. Reagan.

Need I say more?

[vkkv]

40. You forgot Arnie, Wilson, Deukmejian

We learn, we don't exasperate the problem. Big difference.

[kentauros]

42. The -problem-

is that Reagan's legacy will be with us far longer than anything to do with your hatred of all things Texas.

[vkkv]

49. Apparently the rest of the country LOVED Ronnie!

or he would not have been elected PRESIDENT.. right?

[kentauros]

50. A majority did, yes.

The point of all of this is either going over your head, or it's as I've said before. Many of us realize that republicans and other people we don't like come from areas all across the country. Some of us are aware enough to apologize for the idiots in our area foisting them upon the country, and similarly, some of the rest of the country are magnanimous enough to accept that apology and move on. As in, not continuing to bash that particular area/region/state again and again because of said distasteful people hailing from that same area.

And others, like you, hold it over our head, refusing to accept our apology and continuing to hate because it gives you pleasure? That's all I can figure for why to keep holding on to the hate and not moving on in order to work for something better in the next election. Hanging onto the past gets everyone nowhere.

[vkkv]

53. And then, on TOP of all that:

Why does God hate the Bible belt so much?

Yah, I have my reasons and they aren't 'God, Guns and Country'.

[kentauros]

55. Honestly, I don't really care about your opinion any more.

If you can't let go of the hate, then you're no better than those you hate.

[Throd]

43. "Exasperate"?

[vkkv]

28. Translation for those who can't figure it out below

Sad news, yes, and responded to appropriately.

The closing NFL joke is OBVIOUSLY unrelated to twister event. So what? I can't poke a little fun at the Cowgirls with the NFL play-offs coming up? Got it... Why should I even care what you think anyway?

More seriously, to you from a state who literally votes in a way that harms our democracy, you can take your EXTREMELY RUDE "What the fuck does your last sentence mean?" and... You aren't helping MY perspective of TEXASS that is for sure.

Here' some advice - Just stop 'Shouting and screaming, too'.

[Ishoutandscream2]

30. Did it occur to you, asshole, that this has impacted many people I know

And two deaths at a convenience store in a town called Copeville that I stop at to get cokes when I go to work each day? Two families who have lost their homes? The devastation.

No, you don't care. You are a selfish asshole.

Here's some advice - try to be somewhat human.

[Ishoutandscream2]

33. Here is another post I wrote about what happened to my family that night

And we were lucky. This may give you a few laughs.

I live in Rockwall county. It miraculously missed me, but death and destruction are north, south, and west of us. Several friends have lost their homes. A business I drive by to work in Copeville was destroyed on HWY 78, killing two. I drove by there last night after it hit returning from work. I was rerouted and saw in scores of emergency personnel lights people holding hands, arms around each other, crying. Probably recently homeless and mourning their friends in the small community.

I got home very late and found out from my wife (my wife, two of my kids, and our dogs had taken shelter in the bathroom until the warning was over) that the gas station on my route had been destroyed and two people inside were dead. I never bought gas there because it was always about a dime higher per gallon than elsewhere, but occasionally I would stop there to buy a coke. Now it's gone, and the people who were working there are possibly dead as well.

Meanwhile, my older daughter and her boyfriend were coming to our home during all of this from Arlington, and couldn't get to our house. I30 was closed at the bridge, they had a cell phone but no phone charger, and simply didn't know how to get home with all the road closures. They were just outside of Rowlett, but the devastation had occurred and emergency vehicles had cut off many exits. Luckily, they found a Walgreens that still had electricity and bought a phone charger for their phone. They got GPS directions for a very circular route, and after several hours on the road, they finally got home. Much to the relief of my wife and myself, obviously.

My daughter's best friend had her windows in Rowlett blown out, but the house stayed attached. But all around her, homes were destroyed. Two other friends in Rowlett have lost their homes. A friend of mine from college said his mother in law has a home near the Bush turnpike and 30 where the cars were thrown off the bridge. Lee couldn't get a hold of her, and his wife was panicking. Thankfully, they heard from her this afternoon and she is fine.

My message to the Texas bashers here - for every slight you have thrown at us, and for what you are doing now. Fuck you. Fuck each and everyone of you. Turning this into a political issue, calling Texans stupid, thinking this was something we deserve. On another thread, a person even made a detrimental comment about the Dallas Cowboys concerning this tragedy. A football team. Fuck you.

And please, go ahead and tombstone me, great overlords. I don't give a fuck anymore. I'm tired of this shit. It is acceptable here. A tragedy has happened that has affected my community directly, and was just a couple of miles from destroying my home and hurting or killing my family. Yet, this shit on DU is allowed to continue to occur. I don't give a flying fuck anymore. Anyone who finds glee in this, giving a smirk and mentioning secession or global warming or whatever, can go take a flying leap. The bigotry here is disgusting, and this is certainly not the place I first found in 2002. I'm so done with this garbage.

[Ishoutandscream2]

36. Oh, and just got word that a third friend lost his home in Rowlett

Actually, he passed away a few years ago, and his widowed wife lived there. She is alive, but her home is gone.

But it's Texas, and it was deserved.

[Skittles]

52. love how you manage to diss females while "explaining" yourself

you are a piece of work

[vkkv]

54. Calm down, their cheerleaders denigrate women far more than anything I could ever say.

So take it up with Jerry Jones, CEO.

[Skittles]

56. aahhhhhhh OK

I can be sexist because my sexism is worse than their sexism

ugh, PLEASE STOP DIGGING

[vkkv]

57. No, because the Dallas cheerleaders OWN self-denigration (as in your opinion) is not

denigrating at all in their own minds, and that is fine with me and them, and most people... but not you apparently.

Come on Skittles, ribbing some Dallas resident about the Dallas "Cowgirls" ( NFL Cowboys) is hardly a critical offense toward women. I think you're a little off just for butting in to make a stupid point, or you've got some real issues over EXTREMELY trite social exchanges. Ease up.

Models, cheerleaders, beautiful spokes-models, actresses.. all sell themselves because people WILL buy it.
"If you've got it, flaunt it." I sense that you struggle with that concept since you've never likely had "it" to sell.

Your comment about the Texas Open Carry law, quoted ""makes it easier to identify gun humping cowards"" suggests that YOU have some issues with men and sex.. "gun humping"... got it. No denigration there...

[Skittles]

58. IGNORE

*DONE HERE*

[Ishoutandscream2]

32. You don't give a damn about the families

You have proven it below. You have no compassion. You are no liberal.

[Throd]

34. Compassion is often conditional here at DU.

There is a sliding scale regarding sense of tragedy depending on where something occurred.

I'm sorry this happened to your community.

[Ishoutandscream2]

37. Thank you

I just found out that a friend of mine (who passed away a few years ago) had his house destroyed in Rowlett. His widow still lives there. She now has no home. But luckily, she is alive.

[Efilroft Sul]

41. Jury results

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Mon Dec 28, 2015, 02:50 PM, and the Jury voted 3-4 to LEAVE IT.

Juror #1 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Texas/Regional bashing needs to stop on DU.
Juror #2 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: The reaction is understandable.
The DU habit of making jokes about tragedies is the real problem.
Juror #4 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: While I agree with the sentiments, the language of the post is deliberately rude and provocative.
Juror #5 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #6 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: That is too OTT.
Juror #7 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Under normal conditions, I would probably vote to hide Ishoutandscream2's post. But this poster and friends and family have been hit by a natural disaster, and they're not into humor or politics right now. They're stressed out, they're hurting, and they're scared. They need help, not alerting and snide comments. I don't think Ishoutandscream2 would snap at people under normal conditions, so cut the poster a break and quit kicking a poster when he or she is down. And if you don't like my opinion, well, you deserve every bit of Ishoutandscream2's wrath.

I was Juror #7.

I'm not sure what more support I can provide, but I think I would've responded to others here exactly as you did.

[vkkv]

44. A joke about the Dallas Cowboys' is NOT REGION BASHING!

Get over it!

[Ishoutandscream2]

45. Just shut up. It's more than that

Making jokes in the midst of a tragedy. Just shut up.

[vkkv]

48. You've spent nearly all day wasting time on the internet

while your friends and neighbors need help cleaning up after this tragedy.

Where is the volunteer?

Are the Cowboys or Texans canceling any practices or games because of this tragedy? No?

Q. Why not?
A. Because it is unrelated, just as my joke was.

[Ishoutandscream2]

46. Thank you so much

It's amazing that my post is alerted, while people making horrible remarks about the tragedy through region bashing get a free pass. Only at DU.

Again, thanks.

[vkkv]

47. No worries, I'm sure all the TX Republican reps that vote against Federal Aid for every other state

will be clamoring for some free taxpayer money.

[kentauros]

39. I've been saying that for years,

ever since reading a thread about what welfare recipients should be "allowed" to buy with "our" money. That's not compassion by any definition of the term. And it's only been getting worse since then.

I'm often compelled (yet never follow through) to comment on the next tragedy to happen in the NE or PNW with "Wisconsin. Figures." or "Washington. Whoda thunk? (eyes)" and so on. I wonder how they'd react...?

[Paper Roses]

51. This place is getting nasty. This is the second post in a short time with horrible comments.

This is not about politics, it is about tragedy. Lighten up folks and extend sympathy. Your family or house could be in line for some horrible event. Think about the shoe on the other foot.