Why doesn't oklahoma city schools have shelters? What a joke. (Moore: homes, contractor)

[TheBeagleLady]

If they closed school every time there's a risk of severe weather, kids would never be in school! I'm not going to criticize people in OK. I grew up in Nebraska, and our schools didn't have basements. Generally we went in the hallways or bathrooms. The house I lived in was a split level so we had a basement. If an EF5 had hit us? I don't think the basement would have been much help. I have been fortunate to have never been through a tornado.

It's sad that not all of the kids survived, but remember that most of them did. They very well may have been safer at the school than at their homes. People did the best they could with the situation they faced, and my thoughts are with them all.

[debzkidz]

If they'd closed the schools, many of those children would have been at home, possibly alone or with just other siblings while the parents worked. Parents can't take off work every time we have the threat of storms. I fear that if the schools had been closed the death toll would have been much higher.

[TheBeagleLady]

Originally Posted by debzkidz

If they'd closed the schools, many of those children would have been at home, possibly alone or with just other siblings while the parents worked. Parents can't take off work every time we have the threat of storms. I fear that if the schools had been closed the death toll would have been much higher.

It may have actually been good that the storm hit when it did, when kids were still in school. What if it was later and the kids were on their way home? As bad as it is, it could have been much worse.

[debzkidz]

Originally Posted by TheBeagleLady

It may have actually been good that the storm hit when it did, when kids were still in school. What if it was later and the kids were on their way home? As bad as it is, it could have been much worse.

Exactly. I've heard this discussed by our local media. The May 3rd 1999 tornado was in the evening, when more people were at home or on their way home.

[KaaBoom]

Originally Posted by HarryBTL

As if earthquake and fire country is any better? At the end of the day most of the lower 48 is prone to some kind of natural disaster. Nothing nobody can do about it except try and be prepared. Personally CA is the last place on earth i would move especially with a child. I hope all works out for you and everyone else.

LOL, I love to hear people in Tornado Alley worry about California earthquakes. I believe that there have been two earthquake related deaths in California in the last 20 years. More people then that are killed by tornados every year in Oklahoma. Despite the much smaller population.

That said I don't think natural disasters are something that people should worry much about. Guns and cars kill way more people.

[jyost]

Originally Posted by KaaBoom

LOL, I love to hear people in Tornado Alley worry about California earthquakes. I believe that there have been two earthquake related deaths in California in the last 20 years. More people then that are killed by tornados every year in Oklahoma. Despite the much smaller population.

That said I don't think natural disasters are something that people should worry much about. Guns and cars kill way more people.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994_N...dge_earthquake
So 57 killed 8,700 injured... I'll be happy to say no more on this subject.
Oklahomans are both independent and caring as a people. We will persevere and continue to be my favorite state in the Union.

[KaaBoom]

Originally Posted by TheBeagleLady

It may have actually been good that the storm hit when it did, when kids were still in school. What if it was later and the kids were on their way home? As bad as it is, it could have been much worse.

Homes with small rooms are a much safer place to be in a tornado, then a large cinder block building.

[KaaBoom]

Originally Posted by jyost

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994_N...dge_earthquake
So 57 killed 8,700 injured... I'll be happy to say no more on this subject.
Oklahomans are both independent and caring as a people. We will persevere and continue to be my favorite state in the Union.

That was 19 years ago. Since then I know of only two earthquake deaths in California. How many people have been killed in Tornados in Oklahoma in the last 19 years?

[TheBeagleLady]

Originally Posted by KaaBoom

Homes with small rooms are a much safer place to be in a tornado, then a large cinder block building.

If those homes are flattened, they aren't very safe.

[justNancy]

Originally Posted by TX75007

I grew up in Oklahoma. Unlike you. And have ridden out a tornado.

An F4/F5 tornado will scrape concrete from the road and asphalt from the street. It will crush in storm cellars. Rip doors off safes.

Looks like three schools took direct hits and most of the kids survived. While most other structures were wiped completely clean. Most of the kids who did not were drowned in a basement. (and people wonder why there are no basements...well, that is why) Looks to me like the schools were the toughest structures in the area and did their job. Sure, they can look into putting in special closets. But even those can get scoured out.

I think Okies know more about building schools for Tornadoes that someone from the Bronx.

Yes, I agree. I've never seen a tornado and I cannot imagine being in the path of such a large one. It's very easy for others to criticize, including the news reporters.

Thank goodness the death toll has been changed, although the loss of even 1 child is 1 too many. Some media outlets initially reported as many as 50 or 100 deaths. I just heard that the medical examiner said there are 24 total deaths, 7 of them children.