Living in Nebraska, you grow used to having tornados in the spring...it's just a fact of life. However, last night was one of those times when reality becomes surreal...
There was a movie made, many years ago, called "Night Of The Tornados", and that's what last night was...except it was real, so there was no changing the channel -
I honestly don't know how much media coverage there will be on what unfolded last night, but suffice to say, one of the twisters brought death to four young boy scouts. Because I believe in giving accurate information, here is what transpired....
At approximately 6:45 last evening a tornado touched down at a Boy Scout camp by Little Sioux IA. At the time there were 119 people there, almost 100 scouts (ranging from ages 13 to 18) with the rest being scout leaders etc.
There were 53 troops at the boy scout ranch (only 3 or 4 from each troop were selected to attend this leadership week - in otherwords, the cream of the crop) and all had come from 3 states, SD, NE and IA.
The camp itself is on 1800 acres, very wooded and about a mile back from the road and in typical boy scout fashion, all of the kids had been sleeping in tents - There are 2 main club houses scattered through out the property - one of which took a direct hit from the twister, which is where the kids were killed. (A rock fireplace fell in on them). That's also where all the injuries came from - most all the (approx) 50 kids in there were hurt, many suffering from broken bones, cuts and sprains. 4 are still hospitalized in serious condition with head, spine or pelvic injuries.
3 of the dead are from Omaha, (age 13) and the 4th was from IA - he was 14. 100 rescue workers from over 10 different counties all convened at the scene, but couldn't get through due to downed trees. (they had to wait to bring in front loaders and chains saws)
In the meantime, the boy scouts that weren't injured (the 2nd club house wasn't struck) set up their own triage. Several realized the park ranger wasn't around, so they broke into a metal shed, grabbed a chain saw and an ATV and began to make their way to the rangers house. It too had taken a direct hit and had leveled the house. They dug them out and transported them back to their 'triage' (the picnic area) and treated their injuries as best they could. The 2 month old baby was unharmed.
The club houses were not tornado proofed, just your typical shelters you see everywhere - all made of wood with lots of windows. The kids tried to hide under tables, but as the building was blown apart, many ended up under the rubble. The kids themselves sounded the tornado siren when one spotted it forming and called 'head quarters' to hit the alert button. Several kids didn't make it back to any of the buildings and had to ride the storm out in ditches close to the building... it's amazing there were not more fatalities.... And after the storm had passed, they even dug their way out of the rubble...
I'm sure in the days to come, there will be many stories of the heroics these young 'men' displayed....young boys, who, due to a twist of fate became men last night. No 13 year old should have to use his body to cover his bestfriend as their world gets torn apart. No 14 year old should have to dig through the rubble and help remove the bodies of boys their own age. Were you to see these young men on TV, you would know what courage they displayed in the face of this black monster. Yes, they are up and coming leaders, but no one of that age, should have their skills tested that way.
There is, by the way, a cell phone video, shot by one of the boys as the storm moved through. I don't know whether it will make it to the national news, but were you to see it, you would know how large this twister was. This was also the same tornado, that just a half hour later, caught a storm chaser, and we sat and watched it live as his vehicle was spun around 180 degrees, hearing his windows being shattered, and him screaming above the wind, telling everyone listening to him to take cover. (it was a rain wrapped twister, the deadliest type to have)
Anyway, there is now a sense of numbness that has overtaken the states of IA and NE. We're skilled at tornados and altho many towns have been wiped off the map, seldom is there any deaths. On this occasion, however....what can I say? Gov. Heineman was on just a short time ago and asked the state to pray for these young boys who lost their lives and I ask all of you to say a prayer too - for the boys who were lost, for the boys who survived, and for the families of all these young men.
This was suppose to be a week of achievement....a week of honing their skills at becoming leaders. They did....but what price they paid....
Tay
Full Version: Night Of The Tornados
Tay,
I did see this on the news and said a prayer for the boys and their families. What a horrible horrible tragedy. As a parent, I cannot imagine how anyone gets through something like this. God bless all of those young boys who did their best to help. They certainly demonstrated a courage well beyond their years.
Donna
I did see this on the news and said a prayer for the boys and their families. What a horrible horrible tragedy. As a parent, I cannot imagine how anyone gets through something like this. God bless all of those young boys who did their best to help. They certainly demonstrated a courage well beyond their years.
Donna
I saw this on the news this morning...how terrible. Praying for everyone here.
I am in Canada, and this story made it onto our news as well. What a tragedy. As your all said, how horrible for a bunch of kids! I feel so bad for the boys and for the families. I can't imagine what the families of these kids must have been feeling when they heard, worried sick, wondering if their children were all right. Our coverage did not cover the details that you gave Tay, and how proud everyone should be of those boys for taking care of things and being heros. They really were. It is amazing what people are capable of in times of disaster.
I just wanted to give you an update....
The coverage here has been almost nonstop - but they did finally allowed the local media in to the area and the damage is....indescribable - that's the only was I can put it. Where the clubhouse stood just yesterday, there is nothing left but a concrete slab with piles of debris. To the left of it, are cars either smashed by trees or flipped in random fashion - having been tossed around like toys. There are tattered remains of coolers and tents lodged up in what is left of the few trees still standing, first aid kits laying on the ground, abandonded after the rescue teams finally arrived.
Some people are working, others....(mainly parents) are simply wandering around, gazing in stunned disbelief at where their children rode out the storm. One young scout (Jason) who is 13 spoke to the media just a few moments ago. He talked about being tossed around, feeling as if he couldn't breathe, and not really understanding what was going on. He said...one minute we were setting down to watch a movie and the next we heard a sound, then the roof blew off and the door landed on me...then I think part of the fireplace. While he spoke with such eloquence it was obvious he was in total shock. He kept rubbing his arm and talking about a scout he'd helped uncover after the storm. He said...and I quote - "I knew he was dead, but I want his parents to know I never left him, I just kept holding his hand and telling him it was ok"....then he kind of ebbed off into silence....
There are other scouts who will speak later today. Some are still in the hospitals, others are determined to go back out there and do what they can to help. The courage these kids showed has me stunned. But each spoke of the one young man (Tom White age 18 from Blair), who happened to be a camp councillor - his dad is a PA, his brother an EMT and another brother who is a trained storm spotter. It was that young man who began to watch the clouds and who notified the headquarters to sound the siren. And he was also one of the first who grabbed a first aide kit and began to set up the triage area....
There is still no word on the 4 who were seriously injured. The only information that's been released is that they are at a trauma center in Omaha. One has been reported to have suffered a skull fracture, another a broken back, and a 3rd has fractured ribs, and a shattered pelvis and hip. There's no word on the 4th victim or what injuries he received...
As more becomes available, I'll let you know.... Just keep them in your prayers...ok?
Tay
The coverage here has been almost nonstop - but they did finally allowed the local media in to the area and the damage is....indescribable - that's the only was I can put it. Where the clubhouse stood just yesterday, there is nothing left but a concrete slab with piles of debris. To the left of it, are cars either smashed by trees or flipped in random fashion - having been tossed around like toys. There are tattered remains of coolers and tents lodged up in what is left of the few trees still standing, first aid kits laying on the ground, abandonded after the rescue teams finally arrived.
Some people are working, others....(mainly parents) are simply wandering around, gazing in stunned disbelief at where their children rode out the storm. One young scout (Jason) who is 13 spoke to the media just a few moments ago. He talked about being tossed around, feeling as if he couldn't breathe, and not really understanding what was going on. He said...one minute we were setting down to watch a movie and the next we heard a sound, then the roof blew off and the door landed on me...then I think part of the fireplace. While he spoke with such eloquence it was obvious he was in total shock. He kept rubbing his arm and talking about a scout he'd helped uncover after the storm. He said...and I quote - "I knew he was dead, but I want his parents to know I never left him, I just kept holding his hand and telling him it was ok"....then he kind of ebbed off into silence....
There are other scouts who will speak later today. Some are still in the hospitals, others are determined to go back out there and do what they can to help. The courage these kids showed has me stunned. But each spoke of the one young man (Tom White age 18 from Blair), who happened to be a camp councillor - his dad is a PA, his brother an EMT and another brother who is a trained storm spotter. It was that young man who began to watch the clouds and who notified the headquarters to sound the siren. And he was also one of the first who grabbed a first aide kit and began to set up the triage area....
There is still no word on the 4 who were seriously injured. The only information that's been released is that they are at a trauma center in Omaha. One has been reported to have suffered a skull fracture, another a broken back, and a 3rd has fractured ribs, and a shattered pelvis and hip. There's no word on the 4th victim or what injuries he received...
As more becomes available, I'll let you know.... Just keep them in your prayers...ok?
Tay
At the 12 o'clock press conference some additional information was given....
The national weather service has guestimated the tornado was an EF 3, with winds of 120-140, the path of destruction was around 1500 feet wide and they now believe the chimney that crashed down on the kids was caused by a scout masters truck that was picked up and slammed into the building.
Ironically, after the news briefing, an interesting development occurred. The Iowa govenor had congratulated the national weather service for issuing a tornado warning some 12 minutes prior to it actually striking. He even went so far as to say, it was the weather radio that probably saved the lives of many. After the initial conference, a young scout struggled to his feet, his arm still in a sling....he said, I beg to differ sir. I was at adler hall (where the weather radio was at) and there was no warning at all. I had gone to the bathroom several hundred yards away when the siren sounded. I twisted my ankle running back and had only made it to the building when the tornado struck. I first clung to the door, then I was ****** inside and thrown against the east wall - I was 10 feet from the chimney when it came down. The only warning we had was from Tom White - not the national weather service. Next, another young man stood up. He had bandages wrapped around his head and another around his arm. He spoke about holding on to a table as it was ****** up, then thrown out into the trees. He said according to his watch, it took 8 seconds for the entire building to be destroyed. 8 seconds....
And for those of you who saw Tom White on the national news this morning, he too made a brief statement. He apologized for appearing on camera without his shirt, but he explained he had taken it off and covered the face of one of the boys who didn't make it.
I guess, as I sit hearing listening to their words, I'm struck by how vulnerable we are. Tornados can happen anywhere....and like these scouts, they can occur with very little warning. It now appears, weather radios aren't always an accurate 'safety' device, and with so many people who go camping yearly - especially this year with gas prices so high - please keep that thought in mind. Sometimes, we may be in areas that have no sirens - no shelters...so please, please be aware of the weather. Some of those kids were actually caught on the hiking trails, and it was only by the grace of God, that area of the scout camp wasn't hit. Once never knows what may materialize...so, should you choose to go camping this summer....remember to keep an eye to sky, ok??
Tay
PS...and to the ladies from Kansas....my thoughts are with you also. I didn't know Manhatten took a direct hit as well. I hope if you live there, you're safe today....
The national weather service has guestimated the tornado was an EF 3, with winds of 120-140, the path of destruction was around 1500 feet wide and they now believe the chimney that crashed down on the kids was caused by a scout masters truck that was picked up and slammed into the building.
Ironically, after the news briefing, an interesting development occurred. The Iowa govenor had congratulated the national weather service for issuing a tornado warning some 12 minutes prior to it actually striking. He even went so far as to say, it was the weather radio that probably saved the lives of many. After the initial conference, a young scout struggled to his feet, his arm still in a sling....he said, I beg to differ sir. I was at adler hall (where the weather radio was at) and there was no warning at all. I had gone to the bathroom several hundred yards away when the siren sounded. I twisted my ankle running back and had only made it to the building when the tornado struck. I first clung to the door, then I was ****** inside and thrown against the east wall - I was 10 feet from the chimney when it came down. The only warning we had was from Tom White - not the national weather service. Next, another young man stood up. He had bandages wrapped around his head and another around his arm. He spoke about holding on to a table as it was ****** up, then thrown out into the trees. He said according to his watch, it took 8 seconds for the entire building to be destroyed. 8 seconds....
And for those of you who saw Tom White on the national news this morning, he too made a brief statement. He apologized for appearing on camera without his shirt, but he explained he had taken it off and covered the face of one of the boys who didn't make it.
I guess, as I sit hearing listening to their words, I'm struck by how vulnerable we are. Tornados can happen anywhere....and like these scouts, they can occur with very little warning. It now appears, weather radios aren't always an accurate 'safety' device, and with so many people who go camping yearly - especially this year with gas prices so high - please keep that thought in mind. Sometimes, we may be in areas that have no sirens - no shelters...so please, please be aware of the weather. Some of those kids were actually caught on the hiking trails, and it was only by the grace of God, that area of the scout camp wasn't hit. Once never knows what may materialize...so, should you choose to go camping this summer....remember to keep an eye to sky, ok??
Tay
PS...and to the ladies from Kansas....my thoughts are with you also. I didn't know Manhatten took a direct hit as well. I hope if you live there, you're safe today....
Wow, just hearing about this for the first time tonight.
My thoughts and prayers are with those young boys and their families.
Wow.
My thoughts and prayers are with those young boys and their families.
Wow.
Here is a photo of what happens in a campsite in the middle of summer when an F3 tornado rips threw. Eleven people were killed in this campsite. This happened in Alberta, Canada in July 2000. Tay is absolutely correct.....if you are out camping, keep your eyes on the skies. Although exactly where these people could have gone is beyond me! And as tornadoes are not all that common in Canada, there is no sirens.
Float, when I saw that picture I thought it was of the boy scout camp...how strikingly similiar they are! Last night the 3 troops who had lost one of their own, held a vigil - hundreds of parents, friends - all showed up. Later there will be a public one, but last night was strictly for those from the troops involved. Some of the boys came wearing photos of those who were lost. And one parent (whose son was killed) is now setting up a fund to make certain tornado shelters are built up at the scout ranch. She doesn't want her son's death to be in vain, and that was their only child....imagine!
One of the local stations had a special on last night where they'd gathered some of the 'tornado' scouts all together. They were told they could talk about anything they wanted, or simply not talk at all, it was their choice. At first the majority sat silently with only the older one speaking. But as he recounted the aftermath, how the concerte slab, all that was left of the building was covered in pale red rainwater, the other scouts opened up. Soon all of them were pouring out their thoughts, telling how scared they were while the tornado was ripping through, but how afterwards, all they could think about was saving anyone who'd been injured.
What was the most striking, I think, was the parents. They'd all come to offer moral support to their sons, and it was the sons who ended up comforting the parents. One mom said...I sent my little boy off to scout camp, and he was returned to me - a man....
But, there was a bit of good news! The 4 who remain in the Omaha hospital are now reported to be in stable condition, so they've been upgraded from serious....thank goodness!
Tay
One of the local stations had a special on last night where they'd gathered some of the 'tornado' scouts all together. They were told they could talk about anything they wanted, or simply not talk at all, it was their choice. At first the majority sat silently with only the older one speaking. But as he recounted the aftermath, how the concerte slab, all that was left of the building was covered in pale red rainwater, the other scouts opened up. Soon all of them were pouring out their thoughts, telling how scared they were while the tornado was ripping through, but how afterwards, all they could think about was saving anyone who'd been injured.
What was the most striking, I think, was the parents. They'd all come to offer moral support to their sons, and it was the sons who ended up comforting the parents. One mom said...I sent my little boy off to scout camp, and he was returned to me - a man....
But, there was a bit of good news! The 4 who remain in the Omaha hospital are now reported to be in stable condition, so they've been upgraded from serious....thank goodness!
Tay
Thanks for sharing the updates and news with us Tay! Those boys were so brave. May God bless them all and comfort the families of those who were lost in this tragedy.
Tay, where in Nebraska do you live? I was born and raised in Ne., just recently moved back from Minn. We were hit by the 1980 tornados in central Ne. We have had a alot of bad weather this spring, now all the flooding. You can never really understand how bad the damage can be from a tornado until you walk out of your basement and the top floor of your home is gone. Things can replaced, lives can't. I pray for the families of the scouts. Maybe we should be paying more attention to Al Gore, global warning? Hope
Hope...I live 80 miles west of Omaha -
Update on the boys.... The first of the 4 funerals was held on Sat. That was a memorial service since his parents are having him buried in Texas. The other 3 will be held tomorrow. Over the weekend, a huge amount of volunteers descended on the camp, trying to salvage what they could out of the rubble. They managed to recover a lot of the 'red' teams stuff (they had been divided into 2 groups, green team and red team). The green team was the one who took the direct hit. They found nothing of theirs....what they did locate was trashed, so everyone of those boys lost everything they had taken.
One of the boys who was injured has started a fund to help those who suffered injuries and worse. He created a tee shirt that says...'we care', that several of the omaha stores are now selling. He hopes to raise money to help defray medical expenses.... I tell ya, the strength these boys are showing is simply amazing to me!
One of the boys who was airflighted to Omaha was released from the hospital on sat. He'd had a 10 inch gash in his head and bluntly said...were it not for the boy who stayed with me and applied pressure, I would have bled to death. He has no memory of who it was, just a voice telling him to stay calm, he'd be ok, and that he was sorry if he was hurting him. He requested who ever that was to contact him...
Oh...one more thing I forgot to mention. The boy scouts have requested everyone wear something white on wednesday in trubute to those who were lost.... My father-in-law was a boy scout leader, so on tuesday I'm going to take out some white carnations to his grave...I know he'd have taken this very hard, so in memory of those boys, I'll make certain he has a way of paying tribute too...
Tay
Update on the boys.... The first of the 4 funerals was held on Sat. That was a memorial service since his parents are having him buried in Texas. The other 3 will be held tomorrow. Over the weekend, a huge amount of volunteers descended on the camp, trying to salvage what they could out of the rubble. They managed to recover a lot of the 'red' teams stuff (they had been divided into 2 groups, green team and red team). The green team was the one who took the direct hit. They found nothing of theirs....what they did locate was trashed, so everyone of those boys lost everything they had taken.
One of the boys who was injured has started a fund to help those who suffered injuries and worse. He created a tee shirt that says...'we care', that several of the omaha stores are now selling. He hopes to raise money to help defray medical expenses.... I tell ya, the strength these boys are showing is simply amazing to me!
One of the boys who was airflighted to Omaha was released from the hospital on sat. He'd had a 10 inch gash in his head and bluntly said...were it not for the boy who stayed with me and applied pressure, I would have bled to death. He has no memory of who it was, just a voice telling him to stay calm, he'd be ok, and that he was sorry if he was hurting him. He requested who ever that was to contact him...
Oh...one more thing I forgot to mention. The boy scouts have requested everyone wear something white on wednesday in trubute to those who were lost.... My father-in-law was a boy scout leader, so on tuesday I'm going to take out some white carnations to his grave...I know he'd have taken this very hard, so in memory of those boys, I'll make certain he has a way of paying tribute too...
Tay
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