Somehow I didn't quite realize the scale of the destruction in Oklahoma last night, but reading the reports this morning, it's hard not to cry at my desk. 91 people confirmed dead so far, and that number is likely to rise. It's so awful.
I'm sure there are hundreds of organizations that will be taking donations in the coming days and weeks, but one I know of right now is the Cimarron Alliance, "central Oklahoma's preeminent LGBT advocacy and education organization": [link] Though now that I read through their last few posts, it looks like they're mostly taking food/clothing donations, as well as checks made out to the American Red Cross. So if you're looking to send money right now, the Red Cross is probably a good place to send it. I will let you all know if I hear of other local orgs that are accepting donations.
Kate, if it's any comfort, they're revising the number downward, because some casualties were double-counted. According to NPR, the official death toll is 24.
That's good to hear, Dana.
Wow, that is really great to hear, and quite the reversal. Not that that's any comfort to the families of those 24 victims, but it's a damn sight better than 91. I am fervently hoping that number doesn't rise any higher.
Somehow I didn't quite realize the scale of the destruction in Oklahoma last night, but reading the reports this morning, it's hard not to cry at my desk. 91 people confirmed dead so far, and that number is likely to rise. It's so awful.
One of our good friends is from Oklahoma, and her (grown) children and grandchildren are still there. One daughter lives in Moore, and her house was untouched (and she and her kids are safe). That's amazing. Several of them lived in the town next to Moore, and others lived about 5 miles away. They're all okay, thank god, but it seems like such a close call, and just plain luck.
I just had an extensive conversation with a woman on the subway who told me that the weather has been crazy since Sputnik! That's what did it -- all the going to space.
In case anyone was wondering.
Of course. It's all so obvious now.
I just got home from an interview, and so I guess I could go into work, but I don't wanna! Meh.
One daughter lives in Moore, and her house was untouched (and she and her kids are safe). That's amazing.
I'm so glad your friend's kids and grandkids are all okay! M found out last night that his cousin has just recently moved to Moore with his new wife, but their home was spared as well. I am so relieved that nobody we know was hurt, though it's hard to feel very happy about that when there are so many people who can't say the same.
The story about the daycare where the kids were all herded into the bathrooms to ride out the storm is the one that really got me, for obvious reasons. The staff members brought them to the safest space they could reach, covered them with blankets, and sang "You Are My Sunshine" to them while the storm ripped off the roof of the building. They all survived.
