Tornadoes tear through Kansas, Oklahoma and Iowa

[Baz]

(CNN) -- Tornadoes touched down in three states on Sunday, ripping roofs off homes and turning trees to matchsticks, as severe weather swept the region.

A large "violent and extremely dangerous" tornado was spotted on the southwest side of Wichita, Kansas, the National Weather Service said.

A second confirmed tornado was seen near Edmond, Oklahoma, said the weather service. Another tornado was spotted in nearby Luther, Oklahoma, but it was not immediately clear whether that was the same twister.

A third tornado touched down near Wellston, Oklahoma, taking out power lines and damaging several homes, according to video from CNN affiliate KFOR. The affiliate's helicopter pilot estimated the funnel cloud to be about a half-mile wide.
See funnel cloud in Oklahoma
See massive tornado in Kansas

"It's tearing up everything," the pilot said. "Just ripping everything up in its sight."

Tornadoes tear through Kansas, Oklahoma and Iowa - CNN.com




Hope our friends in these states are OK.

Sidney, Glen, Matt, Matt, etc......

[porsche4life]

Alls well here... I know it passed not far from Glen in Edmond.

Texted Matt in KS earlier and he was in the clear as well.

[Baz]

Very good - thanks Sidney.

That tornado footage was incredible.

Stay safe everyone!

[onewhippedpuppy]

Yup, thanks for the thought Sid. We were actually heading home from central KS, and picked our way through the storms using iPhone radar. Fortunately the nasty stuff was gone by the time we got home, and the S8 sustained some small hail without any damage. I haven't heard much about the damage in SW Wichita, other than that the Sheriff's department was discouraging travel to the area. We also had up to baseball sized hail just N of our area that took out windows, as well as wind damage around the city. Gotta love the midwest!

Just an aside, when you pass multiple convoys of storm chasers in your area, you know it's going to be a good day.

[lowyder993s]

Waiting w/ baited breath for Bruce (BSiple)...from Colo but went to KS chasing Toms (turkeys)...not guys named Tom.

[Gooch1971]

Missed my parents by about 2 miles and other relatives by only a 1/2 mile. Prayers said for those touched by the tragedy.

[GH85Carrera]

I was about two miles from us. About a dozen of the neighbors were outside watching the storm. With the radar from the TV stations is is easy to know about where the storms were. Many houses were flattened and many hurt. They are predicting more of the same for tomorrow.

Edit. The news report showed one tornado just 1.5 miles away. A house lost a roof just 1.5 miles away. We only got a very light drizzle and mild winds.

[Baz]

Hey guys.....does anyone out there have storm shelters - cellars - safe rooms - anything like that to take cover in?

[porsche4life]

We do.... Underground concrete room.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Many newer homes have true safe rooms. We have a basement, it was a requirement when we were house shopping. Our safe area would be either under the stairs or in a storage area with three concrete foundation walls, both are not near windows. We keep some extra bottles of water and snacks down there just in case.

Just an aside, I've lived here my entire life and never actually seen a tornado on the ground. Lots of funnel clouds but never a tornado actually doing damage. It's actually not as common as it seems.

[Baz]

Just like Florida and hurricanes. Not every town is hit by one. Now the year 2004......that was pretty crazy!

[911boost]

Yeah we were under some serious warnings on Saturday and had to sit through a pretty bad storm this morning. Driving home pulling the camper was fun in the wind and horrible rain...

We were in northwest Kansas in a little town named Herndon...

Thanks for the thoughts Jim. Was great hunting and we didnt come home empty handed...

Bill

[lowyder993s]

[BReif61]

Someone was flying a helicopter that close to a tornado? That doesn't seem like a very good idea...

[porsche4life]

They pretty much always do.... I'd bet there were at least 3, if not 5 or 6 around it... Weather is big business in OK....

[BRPORSCHE]

Originally Posted by lowyder993s

Waiting w/ baited breath for Bruce (BSiple)...from Colo but went to KS chasing Toms (turkeys)...not guys named Tom.

Hunting Tom's eh? Glad I wore my camo this weekend!

[trekkor]

**update**

new storms forming and touching down now.

Live footage on CNN.


KT

[Baz]

Just turned on TWC and Al Roker in OK City reporting - said the streets are deserted, torrential rains coming down, tornado sirens going off - first time he's ever heard it in the city.

Wow.....stay safe folks....

[Baz]

[onewhippedpuppy]

Two tornadoes on the ground headed through Moore and S OKC. Stay safe guys!