Yeah, that 91 total sounded kind of high to me last night (based on what I had been reading). I still haven't watched news coverage beyond Maddow last night. I don't like inaccurate early reports. They make me freak out.

The emergency personnel are still looking for people, but the mayor apparently was confident that the 24 is the number. I don't know.

Also, here is a list of a few local orgs that are accepting financial donations: [link]

As bad as it is, if the people hadn't been well-prepared and serious about their safety, the toll would have been much much worse.

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.

Damn.

Wow. Just burst out crying at my desk. For some reason that song is a crypoint for me anyway.

What Theo said. In addition, cuts to National Weather Service would have given the people 3 minutes to shelter instead of the ~17 they got.

Sorry, Sophia!

Good points, Theo and le nubian.

That's OK Kate. I have my own office. I really find You Are My Sunshine to be one of the saddest songs ever-- like up there with Danny Boy on Bagpipes.

ETA: I was also just hanging on by a thread after watching the video where the little old lady gets reunited with her dog.

I also have to share a picture of this mutant bird: [link] I can't stop looking! (It is not gross).

One tornado story with a happy ending - this is the only news I'm letting myself watch right now:

[link]

(My boss is taking on the bulk of the tornado news-watching for our department, since I did the Boston marathon bombings.)