I hate that I’m writing this right now.
D and I had one of our very favorite photographers shoot our home today, and I was literally brimming with excitement, knowing we were one step closer to sharing photos of our home’s transformation. That was, until about halfway through the shoot when texts, emails, and messages started rolling in.
“Is your family safe?”
“Praying for you and your family.”
“The destruction is horrible. I’m so sorry.”
Honestly, I had no idea what those texts were about. I had been diligently cleaning and styling my home halfway across the country, completely oblivious to the world.
And then I sat down and saw it for myself. My hometown, ravaged by yet another tornado, and it brought me right back to May of 1999. I was living in Oklahoma City when that tornado destroyed miles and miles of homes and lives, and it was one of the most frightening days of my life.
I can’t imagine what my hometown is dealing with right now. (Except I kind of can. It’s absolutely harrowing.) Elementary schools destroyed. Death and destruction everywhere.
You all, I can tell you firsthand that what you’re seeing on your computer and television doesn’t even compare to what is actually going on in Oklahoma right now. Neighborhoods gone, little children aimlessly walking around battered neighborhoods looking for their parents, absolute confusion and chaos.
Please help. Your resources and donations will make a huge difference. Here are some ways to help:
Text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 to the disaster relief fund – this took me about 10 seconds to complete
If you prefer to donate to the Red Cross online, click here.
You can text FOOD to 32333 (the OK Food Bank) to give $10 to help with relief efforts via News 9
Feed The Children Disaster Relief
Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief
If you are looking for a family member, please visit Safe & Well.
The Penn South Pet Clinic is collecting displaced animals.
Annie’s Ruff House in Norman, OK is taking any dogs displaced by the tornadoes in Moore.
I will update this list as I learn of more ways to help.
God bless Oklahoma.
Mariah
May 21, 2013 at 5:37 amThank you for this information. It is so helpful to hear about how we can help from someone who knows the area. Our hearts and minds are with the people who have been affected…
ELIZABETH MITCHELL
May 21, 2013 at 5:57 amWe live in VB, VA……ANY ELDERLY FOLKS ARE WELCOME IN OUR HOME, I KNOW IT IS NOT CLOSE, BUT YOU WILL BE SAFE AND FED. WE HAVE TWO LARGE ST. BERNARDS WHO ARE NOT CHILDREN FRIENDLY, SO ADULTS ONLY. PLEASE CALL ME AT 757 724 8896 IF YOU WANT TO COME AND STAY. WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU.
ELKZABETH MITCHELL
Esther
May 21, 2013 at 5:58 amPraying for Oklahoma!
bishop stu tu
May 21, 2013 at 6:26 amwhOOrl gOOrl,
here are some posts that I made in a discussion room to inform concerned pals…
The power of these storms (winds in excess of 300 MPH) is beyond comprehension and the destruction occurs in just a few seconds. I suppose it’s like a huge bomb.
We are all well aware of these twisters…we accept them as a consequence of life here. All the same, these mega-storms are events that you can’t really handle the scope of destruction.
You are correct about construction…re-inforced masonry is the best defense. But sadly it’s very expensive and most can’t afford it. Our home has an exterior wall of concrete and rebar filled blocks. On the exterior of that is a covering of granite. But all that won’t keep a roof on even with steel girders.
Risky bidness…livin’ in the alley. But it’s our way of life.
(skip)
Forgot to answer you inquiry re: Tinker AFB…Unlike the 1999 Moore storm, this twister crossed I35 and traveled almost due east. So the storm remained south of Tinker by about 7 miles…the 1999 storm turned north and ended close to Tinker.
Since we have had severe storms since 2:00pm Sunday, the local media have had storm coverage around the clock since then. As P.bear just remarked regarding the emotional pain, we are watching the local TV stations talking to small children wandering around, some too young to know their names, looking for parents or their homes in neighborhoods that have been leveled flat. There is no way to know what street you’re on.
Who knows if their parents are alive or if these children actually fell from the sky from homes located somewhere else?
(skip)
The old saying, “There but for the Grace of God go I” …comes to mind. We Okies are a tough lot, having seen a lot of hardship endured by each generation since 1907. You can bet we’ll be OK.
Dee Wilcox
May 21, 2013 at 6:29 amThank you for this, Sarah!!
Kerri Anne
May 21, 2013 at 8:56 amI’m so sorry, about all of this. Thinking of you and your home state today.
Amanda C.
May 21, 2013 at 9:59 amI live in Arkansas, and am United Methodist, and our church conference is making tornado tubs. Go to this website for a list of supplies: http://www.arumc.org/n_new_tornado_tubs_meet_post-disaster_need.php. So far, this is only a project unique to Arkansas, but if any other groups or organizations want to get in on it, please do. If you’re in AR, drop this off at any Methodist church–they’ll know what to do. We had some tornados in our state a few years ago, and people commented about how helpful these tubs were. Many many many prayers for your homestate.
Amy
May 21, 2013 at 11:12 amOperation BBQ Relief is deploying to Moore to feed first responders, volunteers, and victims … they are always in need of donations, and they can easily be sent via their Amazon Wish List.
http://www.operationbbqrelief.org
Amy in StL
May 21, 2013 at 12:49 pmYou can also text STORM to 80888 to donate $10 to the Salvation Army for the tornado victims.
Tiera
May 21, 2013 at 7:16 pmArchitecture for Humanity is on the ground and assessing damage. They will help with the long term rebuilding efforts
giselle
May 23, 2013 at 10:50 amHi Sarah! I’m so heartbroken. Living in Tulsa and knowing people that live in Moore, I feel very helpless. Here’s another wonderful way to help support the Red Cross in their efforts. Seems right up your alley, so I won’t be surprised to see you sporting one of these sweet necklaces.
http://thevintagepearl.com/love-for-Oklahoma.html
giselle
May 23, 2013 at 10:51 amJust wanted to point out that I’m not affiliated with The Vintage Pearl, but I am a fan of their jewelry.
giselle
May 23, 2013 at 10:58 amOne more! If you want to help the animals affected by the tornadoes, please visit:
http://www.animalallianceok.org/
or
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Update—More-tornado-donation-drop-off-locations.html?soid=1101559363784&aid=7hoNFfZRsQA
Thank you to all that are spreading the word about helping those devastated in our state – human or otherwise. We are in great need right now.
meka
May 27, 2013 at 5:56 pmWe have set up a page so that communication can be reached to others to where the help is most needed. Please feel free to join the group and post to help us get the word out to anyone that wants to help or where to donate.
https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/452284194861213/
home protection products
July 1, 2013 at 1:19 amAw, this was an incredibly good post. Taking the time and actual effort to create a very good
article… but what can I say… I put things off a whole lot and never manage to get nearly anything done.