Source: PIA (Philippine Information Agency)

Source: PIA (Philippine Information Agency)

Saturday will see normal service resumed with temperatures up a little as the sun assumes its normal position high in the skies to shine on the 2013 Miss Seychelles Pageant .

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We arrived in Tenerife last night at 7.00pm to temperatures of 23 degrees.  We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the UK but we did have rain at some point every day we were there except on Monday.  I also thought it was cold 15C maximum and while some people were walking around in summer clothes and just cardigans I mostly had on jeans and jumpers and on two occasions BOOTS!

So this was our first view of home and it was beautiful as the sun set.

Why not Step Through the Looking Glass and read the  Red Queen Musings

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Scientists concluded the storm was a rare and extraordinarily powerful type of twister known as an EF5, ranking it at the top of the enhanced Fujita scale used to measure tornado strength. Those twisters are capable of lifting reinforced buildings off the ground, hurling cars like missiles and stripping trees completely free of bark.

After nearly 24 hours of searching, Moore’s fire chief said he was confident there were no more bodies or survivors in the rubble.

“I’m 98 per cent sure we’re good,” Gary Bird said Tuesday at a news conference with the governor, who had just completed an aerial tour of the disaster zone.

Authorities were so focused on the search effort that they had yet to establish the full scope of damage along the storm’s long, ruinous path.

They did not know how many homes were gone or how many families had been displaced. Emergency crews had trouble navigating devastated neighbourhoods because there were no street signs left. Some rescuers used smartphones or GPS devices to guide them through areas with no recognizable landmarks.

WATCH: Oklahoma recovering from the devastation

[tp_video id=579777]

The death toll was revised downward from 51 after the state medical examiner said some victims may have been counted twice in the confusion. More than 200 people were treated at area hospitals.

By Tuesday afternoon, every damaged home in Moore had been searched at least once, Bird said. His goal was to conduct three searches of each building just to be certain there were no more bodies or survivors.

The fire chief was hopeful that could be completed before nightfall but efforts were being hampered by heavy rain.

Crews also continued a brick-by-brick search of the rubble of a school that was blown apart with many children inside.

No additional survivors or bodies have been found since Monday night, Bird said.

Survivors emerged with harrowing accounts of the storm’s wrath, which many endured as they shielded loved ones.

WATCH: Oklahoma survivor stories

[tp_video id=579726]

Chelsie McCumber grabbed her 2-year-old son, Ethan, wrapped him in jackets and covered him with a mattress before they squeezed into a coat closet of their house. McCumber sang to her child when he complained it was getting hot inside the small space.

“I told him we’re going to play tent in the closet,” McCumber said, beginning to cry.

“I just felt air so I knew the roof was gone,” she said Tuesday, standing under the sky where her roof should have been. The home was littered with wet grey insulation and all of their belongings.

“Time just kind of stood still” in the closet, she recalled. “I was kind of holding my breath thinking this isn’t the worst of it. I didn’t think that was it. I kept waiting for it to get worse.”

“When I got out, it was worse than I thought,” she said.

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin lamented the loss of life, especially of the nine children killed, but she celebrated the town’s resilience.

“We will rebuild, and we will regain our strength,” Fallin said.

From the air, large stretches of the town could be seen where every home had been cut to pieces. Some homes were sucked off their concrete slabs. A pond was filled with piles of wood and an overturned trailer.

Also visible were large patches of red earth where the tornado scoured the land down to the soil. Some tree trunks were still standing, but the winds ripped away their leaves, limbs and bark.

In revising its estimate of the storm’s power, the National Weather Service said the tornado, which was on the ground for 40 minutes, was a top-of-the-scale EF5 twister with winds of at least 200 mph (320 kph).

The agency upgraded the tornado from an EF4 based on reports from a damage-assessment team, said spokeswoman Keli Pirtle. Monday’s twister was at least a half-mile (nearly a kilometre) wide, and it was the first EF5 tornado of 2013.

Teachers carry children away from Briarwood Elementary school after a tornado destroyed the school in south Oklahoma City, Monday, May 20, 2013.

Other search-and-rescue teams focused their efforts at Plaza Towers Elementary School, where the storm ripped off the roof, knocked down walls and destroyed the playground as students and teachers huddled in hallways and bathrooms.

Seven of the nine dead children were killed at the school, but several students were pulled alive from under a collapsed wall and other heaps of mangled debris. Rescue workers passed the survivors down a human chain of parents and neighbourhood volunteers. Parents carried children in their arms to a triage centre in the parking lot. Some students looked dazed, others terrified.

Plaza Towers and another school in Oklahoma City that was not as severely damaged did not have reinforced storm shelters, or safe rooms, said Albert Ashwood, director of the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management.

More than 100 schools across the state do have safe rooms, he said. He added that a shelter would not necessarily have saved more lives at Plaza Towers.

Officials were still trying to account for a handful of children not found at the school who may have gone home early with their parents, Bird said Tuesday.

President Barack Obama pledged to provide federal help and mourned the death of young children who were killed while “trying to take shelter in the safest place they knew – their school.”

Moore has been one of the fastest-growing suburbs of Oklahoma City, attracting middle-income families and young couples looking for stable schools and affordable housing. Many residents commute to jobs in Oklahoma City or to nearby Tinker Air Force Base.

—

Associated Press writers Tim Talley, Ramit Plushnick-Masti and Nomaan Merchant and Associated Press photographer Sue Ogrocki contributed to this report.

So what is the National Weather Service to do to make sure people take tornado warnings seriously? The NWS has been experimenting with blunt warnings as part of the “impact-based warning system.” When the same storm that hit Oklahoma rolled through Kansas, Kansans were warned, “You could be killed if not underground or in a tornado shelter. Complete destruction of neighborhoods, businesses and vehicles will occur. Flying debris will be deadly to people and animals.” The warnings were meant to raise hair on the arms of listeners, in hopes of preventing casualties.

For more on the trouble with tornado warnings in regards to the F5 that hit Moore, Oklahoma, watch the following video:

Discussion Questions:

1.  Why do people ignore storm warnings?

2.  How is the National Weather Service trying to adapt to human behavior toward storm warnings?

3.  Is the “impact-based warning system” effective? Why, or why not?

Dearest Oklahoma,

To not begin with your beauty would be unfair. You are a land of watercolor painted skies where fireflies still dance, flickering in the dusk. Wild winds blow real, pure air, filling my lungs with freshness. Sweet honeysuckle blooms, bringing memories of running around a grandparent’s pond, discovering every acre in sight. Green grass crunches under our feet, as children take turns running through sprinklers.

Passion abounds with each place we turn. Where else was a land so longed for, with the opportunity to begin a new life, that people settled “sooner” rather than wait? A love for Early Childhood brings you to the forefront of educational equity. A love of the Lord is within so many, including nearly 200 places of worship for my own small town. The loudest of fans, even outside of Loud City and a celebration of every form of art echoes throughout our state from Country musicians to infamous ballerinas. Your food? Well, that would be an entirely separate letter. A reverence of culture from our humble beginnings, you are the most ambitious of self-starters. Though we spend most of the seasons pretending to dislike the other, Sooners and Cowboys always stand together when burnt orange is near.

Built from tragedy – the Trail of Tears to No Man’s Land, the Tulsa Race War to the Dust Bowl, The Oklahoma City Bombing to the May 3rd tornadoes, and finally – the massive F5  storm which ravaged parts of our home from Shawnee to Moore. Perhaps this is why our people are so resilient. Much like the Phoenix, Oklahoma knows how to rebuild and rise from ashes, or red dirt. It is your people who define so much of the joy you bring. People who do not wait for federal relief, but would rather give the shirt off their back and completely buy out every grocery or supply store. People who are so exuberant to lend a hand, that they must be told to step back, for overflow of volunteers. People who are so kind that they will hold any door for a stranger, make friends in line at a checkout stand, and pull over when someone has a flat tire. This is Oklahoma, and I love you more than words could say.

We’re doing fine Oklahoma, stay OK.

For a complete listing of ways to aid in the wake of the Oklahoma storms, please

visit the OU Lead and Volunteer page.

:: I will also be making a trek from Tulsa to Shawnee/Oklahoma City if you are in the area and would like to pack my car full of donations for the Red Cross and victims ::

As I mentioned previously, Jackadam developers took their expertise and the favorite features of their Dark Sky app and created a free full-featured weather app.

Per usual, let’s start with the features.

Forecast gives you the most used weather data features that all of us mainstream weather data consumers need:

• Current conditions
• Forecast
• Radar

The current conditions are on display in newspaperesque simplicity.

Forecast.io Current Conditions

You can access additional current weather data, such as wind, humidity, visibility, pressure, and low/high temp information by touching the plus sign to the right of the current conditions.

Forecast.io Additional Conditions

The rest of the weather data on the main screen is where the developers flex their forecast muscles. The main screen gives you the precipitation forecast for the next hour and a scrolling timeline for the next 24 hours.

Touch the word MAP in the upper right corner to get the radar. But this isn’t your mama’s radar. This is fancy schmancy radar with blues, purples, orange-pinks, and yellows morphing into its various precipitation forms taking place during a seven-day period of historical, current, and future glimpses. It is a video-like view of smooth scrolling weather moving across your local or regional area or touch Global to see your side of it in all its weather glory.

Forecast.io Global Radar

Swipe upward from the bottom to get the seven-day forecast, initially showing only precipitation via animated gifs of sun or clouds and the low/high temps. Touch the plus sign next to any of the days to access the scrolling timeline for temp and precipitation for the full 24-hour day.

Forecast.io Seven-Day Timeline

Forecast.io Seven-Day Additional Data

One feature I’m most excited about is not ready yet. It is their Time Machine, which will eventually let you see historical weather data (go back in time, my friends, to the day you were born and find out what the weather was like) and future weather up to a year in advance. Some of this I find hard to believe, like the year-in-advance weather because the forecast for tomorrow has already changed from eight hours ago. But, this would still be a fun feature to play with.

Forecast.io Time Machine Coming Soon

What is good about this app?

I like this app for a few reasons.

1. The interface is intuitive – you know how to use it without instructions.
2. They show only what you need to know. You can see more weather information by touching the plus signs where they are available.
3. The past, current, and future weather data is a practical and fun feature.

What isn’t so great?

Some of the reasons I like this is app are also reasons I don’t like it. I know, I know, make up your mind. Sometimes, though, you run into love-hate situations. Hear me out.

1. Lack of “real feel” temperature.
2. The week long forecast provides only low/high temp and precipitation weather data. Other apps provide more data. How much of that really matters? That depends on your own personal needs, so make this call yourself.
3. It has a extremely basic interface, mostly black and white. Honestly, this is low on my list. However, I like a nice-looking, inviting user interface. This one leaves a newspaper print taste in my mouth – boring. The only color you see is on the upcoming weather bar at the bottom (blue) and the radar. However, it is growing on me quickly.

What is the bottom line?

I really like this app. It gives me what I need for weather data, the simplistic interface is growing on me, and who can resist historical, current, AND future precipitation data?

Many wild flowers and plants, and so-called “weeds” will “close ” as the moisture in the air increases; many times, this happens well in advance of a storm and/or  ”slight  chance of rain.”

This will happen no matter what, especially  when moist, and possibly bad weather approaches. It could be in the middle of the day, instead of the evening when the humidity rises wand the dew settle as the temperature drops and there is a lot of moisture in the air. Either way, many plants and flowers will “close up”  their pedals and/or leaves early in n effort to to avoid their pollen from escaping. For example, check into Shamrock (aka clover):

Also, look into Chicory and Morning Glory  plants, along with other native plants (again, some refer to as so-called weeds). Observe how they close up when bad weather is or even may be anticipated.

So this Handy Dandy Tip is: know and watch the vegetation around you. Learn how it reacts to climatic situations. Our ancestors learned this from the “Indians aka/Native Americans” long ago. yet, it is another piece of knowledge that has been buried .

Happy weathering.

Source: PIA (Philippine Information Agency)

Yesterday afternoon, I saw one of the most, if not the most, horrifying weather events I’ve ever seen. And it wasn’t in Omaha, but in Moore, Oklahoma, where a massive tornado was eating everything in its path.

40 minutes. 17 miles. 24 dead, including nine children, after the tornado tore through Moore yesterday. Homes, businesses, schools, farms–just gone. Fires. Collapsed buildings. Gas leaks.

And one very worried newsgirl in Omaha, watching horrific live streaming video from OKC’s News 9 of a huge tornado.

“My community is destroyed.” That’s what my younger sister texted to me Monday evening. About two miles south of her home in Oklahoma City, there’s complete and total destruction. She’s ok, her dog is ok, and her friends are ok. But many others are not.

Since yesterday afternoon, so many horrible stories have come out of Moore, from children trapped in a school, to a family killed when they were trying to get to shelter in a 7-11. The photos and video are unlike almost anything I’ve ever seen. The accounts of heroism are raw, emotional, and can only be told by someone who’s been there.

There have also been some great stories today about survivors who’ve found their pets. 101 people were found alive overnight. Relief efforts are already underway, and support is coming in from around the country.

Today, I’m praying for the people of Moore and Oklahoma City. I pray that God comforts them and their families, and watches over His children as they rebuild.

I can’t even begin to comprehend how frightening it was to be there yesterday as the tornado moved through. I do know this: even in tragedy, there’s a lot to be thankful for. Things can be replaced. People can’t. Love one another, help your fellow man, and remember that each day is a gift. Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed to any of us.

God Bless OKC and Moore.

For coverage of the tornado: The Oklahoman, News 9, KFOR, KGOU, and many others

For information on relief efforts: American Red Cross, Salvation Army, City of Moore, OK

1. The Black Rain signal is still up at the HK Observatory. As of now the soonest market could open is 2 hours after signal is lifted. If the signal is not lifted by 12pm no trading today, and go straight to LKF to start boozing.
2. HKMEx closure takes the next logical step as police investigate possible financial fraud. 3 people have been arrested, the offices of HKMEx have been raided, and Barry Cheung has taken a leave of absence from LEGCO.
3. He’s back! Timmy Tong to re appear before LEGCO on Friday. Now that he is immune from prosecution for anything uttered at this next hearing lawmakers hope he’ll be more forthcoming.
4. Goldman sells Temasek buys, who is right? Temasek lifted it’s holdings in ICBC on the same day as Goldman placed it’s shares. Our money is with Goldman on this one.
5. Rents fell in April for first time in 14 months. Kowloon rents took the biggest hit.
6. Tung Chung wants to reclaim more land for property development. The WWF believes the Chinese White Dolphin habitat will be harmed. No chance the developers halt their plans for some dolphins.

Over the decades, with bipolar extremities

That is desired and then refused yearly

This sharp awareness
grounds you, pulls you far outside
and right back inside yourself
telling you to take cover
telling you to survive.

So you walk a little faster
or drive a little slower
so you close the windows
and you think
this is an opportunity
a time for pause.
And so you wait…

Listening.
Hoping.

What makes a thunderstorm
most worthy of your affection
is that during the crash,
the boom, the rumble and the rain
during the time it should be most
fearsome and unforgiving
there is an unexpected glow
an offering of light
a way to see through the darkness.

And when the sky has fused
its splintered pieces, when the clouds
have ceased their fury, and the wind
has calmed its wailing…suddenly–
as if you had only imagined it–
there is peace after the storm.

Great
generous
prodigious peace.

Peace

These events become the stuff of history, and therefore lessons. The truths of these events– the forces preceding the events and the forces of the events, as well as the aftermath, become the stuff of art.  In the meantime, we watch and listen to images of reality that force us to imagine what we would be; what we could be; what we should be.

On days like today, reality shows us the art of living.