Harrisburg Illinois Tornado

[Mike1961]

I'm sure that everyone has heard, but, if not, Harrisburg Illinois was hit very hard by a Tornado about 5 AM this morning. At least 7 people have been killed, over 100 injured, 250-300 homes damaged or destoryed and 40 businesses destoryed. Originally, I'm from just 9 miles away but moved off many years ago. I still have many relatives there, who all survived unharmed Thank God, and we have several forum members there, near there, of from there such as Flatlander and Beerdoodle and more. Everyone there could sure use some prayers right now.

http://www.allvoices.com/contributed...oplin-disaster

The local Harrisburg paper
http://www.dailyregister.com/

[Dirt Nuker]

Azmodeus.....where are you? Check in, ok?

Used to live in that area in my college days.

[VBCurt]

My family and I will pray for everyones safety.

[Mike1961]

Some photos of the damage.



And in another nearby town, Ridgeway.

[firewxman]

Will spend a little extra time praying tonight!

[beerdoodle]

That,s why I moved to Michigan. First touch down was right besides ex-wifes house. She is ok but all freaked out,so basically she is normal. Very sad for the loss of life.

[Me&MyBoy]

I'm always shocked and amazed by tornado damage and that there are not more casualties. It makes me think of what a real war zone would be like, never having experienced that myself. I saw first hand the destruction in Moore, Oklahoma and absolutely couldn't believe it. Concrete block buildings were demolished and even the grass was pulled out of the ground.

Thanks for sharing Mike. Thoughts and prayers to those who have suffered. And, beerdoodle, good to see you around again.

[Patton]

Prayers sent your way my friend.
Living in Kansas its something we have to face every month. My sisters house was destroyed by an F5 Tornado. We have even had Tornado's in December. I pray everyone gets the help they need Mike..

[wooddux]

Thoughts and prayers go out to everyone there, just went thru this in april last year, and know what they feel like.

[Carol K]

Wow, that is MAJOR! So sorry to hear this!

Tornadoes also hit Newburgh in Indiana, and Henderson KY, where my relatives live. They are fine though.

[beerdoodle]

Originally Posted by Me&MyBoy

I'm always shocked and amazed by tornado damage and that there are not more casualties. It makes me think of what a real war zone would be like, never having experienced that myself. I saw first hand the destruction in Moore, Oklahoma and absolutely couldn't believe it. Concrete block buildings were demolished and even the grass was pulled out of the ground.

Thanks for sharing Mike. Thoughts and prayers to those who have suffered. And, beerdoodle, good to see you around again.

Thanks buddy, it,s certainly been a long grind........................................

[flatlander~]

The family & I are fine but lots of people in a bad way in the part of town you posted pictures of.

Harrisburg Illinois Tornado

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm sure that everyone has heard, but, if not, Harrisburg Illinois was hit very hard by a Tornado about 5 AM this morning. At least 7 people have been killed, over 100 injured, 250-300 homes damaged or destoryed and 40 businesses destoryed. Originally, I'm from just 9 miles away but moved off many years ago. I still have many relatives there, who all survived unharmed Thank God, and we have several forum members there, near there, of from there such as Flatlander and Beerdoodle and more. Everyone there could sure use some prayers right now.

[Mike1961]

Glad to hear you are ok Flatlander.

[fire medic 160]

This was very shocking. Pictures and video just don't do the damage justice. Being in the fire and ems service for nearly twelve years this had to be one of the worst things I've ever seen with own eyes. Was there about 2 hours after it hit and still couldn't hardly get anywhere in the damage area despite city crews out with heavy equipment clearing the roads. The area I first went to which was my mom's neighborhood damage was severe, but really appeared minor compared to the Gaskins City, Country Club, and buisness area of town, which is where the fatalities occured. This has hit way to close to home after living in Harrisburg for 25 years. Also one of the fatalities, I graduated high school with her granddaughter.
Went back yesterday to do more work with two other members of the fire department I'm on, one of which is an Iraq war veteran and he said it looks like the war zones of Iraq he saw while in the service. There was also an unbelievable volunteer response both days that I could never have imagined. Talked to people from towns that I never knew existed. I guess in closing with more severe weather currently hitting, keep all those affected in the past and future severe weather in thoughts and prayers.

[Carol K]

Midwest is getting hammered again today????

Stay safe everyone!

[b-boop]

You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

[Carol K]

Live reports from Louisville Kentucky

http://www.whas11.com/live-stream

Hitting Louisville in a half hour!

[Carol K]

Henrytown IN has been leveled!



Sirens are going off in Louisville right now.

[wooddux]

Huntsville and athens alabama hit this AM...at least 2 tornados for sure, and birmingham is set for some fun weather this evening also....at least my newly built house has a storm safe room....hope we dont have to use it

[Mike1961]

Nearly 50 tornados today and the number is rising, or expected to rise. Gonna be a long night for many people in the country.