Missouri and Oklahoma Storms Kill 16

[gristy]

Source: NY Times

SENECA, Mo. (AP) -- A tornado that spun across the Oklahoma-Missouri border killed several people as severe storms raked the nation's heart Saturday, taking at least 16 lives, mangling buildings and trapping people in rubble in the storm-weary region.

At least 10 people were killed after severe storms spawned tornadoes and high winds across sections of southwestern Missouri, the State Emergency Management Agency said.

At least six people were killed as the tornado flattened the northeastern Oklahoma town of Picher.

''The last two years we've had floods and tornadoes -- it's just one right after another,'' said Susie Stonner of SEMA.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Severe-Weather.html?hp

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. I just saw a documentary film about Picher.

There is an abandoned mine there. There has been a controversy about whether to abandon the town or not.

Sounds like the tornado made the decision for the townspeople.

[aaronbees]

3. I read the AP story about Picher earlier today

Just devastating.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iYxOYr0lwmwuoEQwIXhpJEvhglwwD90ITKRO1

Pollution brings end to mining town in Oklahoma

By JUSTIN JUOZAPAVICIUS – 12 hours ago

PICHER, Okla. (AP) — Waiting in their cars or on broken sidewalks, the blue-jeaned crowd has turned out for a parade. But they could pass for mourners at a funeral.
They line up along the main drag in front of empty cafes and shops and rusted mining equipment fenced off with barbed wire. Passing time, some press hands and foreheads against windows of stores that went out of business so many years ago it's hard to remember what they sold.
Two graybeards stand near a telephone pole, watching for any sign of action in front of Susie's Thrift and Gift.
"I hate this," the older one laments. "I hate to see Picher go."
"Yeah," the other mumbles, looking down at his shoelaces.
"All those memories."
"Been mined out pretty bad, though."
___

When the lead and zinc mines all around here closed down, many folks told themselves and promised their kids that Picher could go on and even be the same. There would always be church, high school football and the Dairy Queen.
But that was nearly 40 years ago, and all the praying and wishful thinking can't undo what's happened here.
People are leaving, escaping the reality of life in one of the worst environmental nightmares in the country. A voluntary federal buyout is hastening the exodus.

[Catch22Dem]

4. There was an MSNBC story about Pitcher

Very sad. These old towns have a lot of character. Did you see the Disney movie, Cars? It actually brought a tear to my eye for that very reason.

I was passing through an old Oklahoma town on my way to Dallas called Stringtown. I wondered how anyone could live there. It barely existed. Turns out it was the second largest town in the county and was the site of a Clyde Barrow shootout.

[uppityperson]

2. NWS says 19 so far, other media says 18. Links..k&r

Shit shit shit
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/climo/reports/080510_rpts.html




http://www.southernledger.com/ap/129550/At_least_18_dead_in_Central_US_in_new_round_of_tornadoes

A tornado that spun across the Oklahoma-Missouri border killed at least 18 people as severe storms raked the nation's heart Saturday, injuring many and mangling buildings in the storm-weary region.

At least 12 people were killed after severe storms spawned tornadoes and high winds across sections of southwestern Missouri, the State Emergency Management Agency said. Ten of the dead were killed when a twister struck near Seneca, near the Oklahoma border.

At least six people were killed as the tornado flattened the northeastern Oklahoma town of Picher, authorities said.

"They're going over the hard-hit area and turning over everything and looking," SEMA spokeswoman Susie Stonner said of emergency workers' search for victims and assessment of damage. "It's hard to do in the dark."..

Glenn Waggoner surveys a hole torn into the roof of the Pinecrest Private School by a severe storm Saturday, May 10, 2008, in Bentonville, Ark. There were three adults and six children inside the building seeking refuge from the storm when the tornado stuck. Eyewitnesses said they saw a funnel cloud over the location at the time it was damaged. There were no injuries. (AP Photo/The Morning News, Marc F. Henning)

[JimmyJubes]

5. Our prayers are with them

It goes without saying.

[Broken_Hero]

6. it was a rough evening, thats for sure

I'm about 10 miles from Seneca...we had tornado's hit Neosho, and Joplin as well...and some in NW Arkansas as well....

[darue]

7. time for the War on Storms n/t