E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSBy Ron Mott, NBC News Correspondent
Smithville, Mississippi will never be the same. It can't be. Not when at least 13 people here in this community of about 900 died Wednesday after a powerful tornado ripped through town, destroying nearly everything in its path.
After surveying the damage from the tornados across the Southeast on Thursday, the National Weather Service upgraded its estimate of the storm's fury to a rare EF-5 rating. The winds at the twister’s peak are estimated to have reached 205 miles an hour – which rates it as an EF-5 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. That is the highest level for tornado damage and the first EF-5 in Mississippi since March 3, 1966.
Phillip Lockhart was in his recently opened pizzeria with two of his employees when he looked out the window and saw the funnel cloud headed right at them from a few football fields away.
Thomas Wells / AP
An aerial of a single block of Smithville Ms., on Thursday shows how much destruction the small town took on Wednesday leaving at least 13 dead and the town destroyed.
Thinking there was no chance to survive inside the restaurant, they jumped in his truck and took off as fast as they could, with debris swirling all around them, slamming into the pickup.
In about 10 seconds, it was all over. And, in many respects, so was Smithville. The old Smithville.
"Never been so scared before," Lockhart said. "Our whole town is just gone."
City Hall. Gone. The police department. Obliterated. Grocery store, funeral home, scores of houses. Mountains of rubble.
The clean-up here will be extensive. Rebuilding will be a significant challenge, but one that residents are business owners like Lockhart say they're ready to tackle.
Leave a Comment:
A very tragic day! But it's not a Fajita scale; that's what you eat. It's a Fujita scale.
Enhanced Fujita Scale: measures wind speed as opposed to damage like the original Fujita scale measured.
Enhanced Fajita Scale: how destructive a spicy Mexican dish is to your intestines, aka "Montezuma's Revenge".
(I'm not laughing about the tragedy; it's very sad and I have relatives who were injured in it. I'm laughing at the misspelling of one of the most commonly used meteorological scales.)
Prayers to everyone.
I watched the news conference with our President, the Governor of Alabama, the Congressional Electives, and Mayor Walt Maddox of Tuscaloosa. The Mayor quoted Paul from Scriptures, regarding our competent hope in Jesus Christ. Praise you Jesus. Your Spirit is alive and speaking to us who can hear. In an instant, our temporal lives on this earth can be gone, but You and Your Word, are forever. Yes, for all those who accept His invitation, we will live again without fear or grief. Thank you Mayor Maddox for sharing His Hope.
On the lighter side, that news conference is a script for Saturday Night Live. A bee was buzzing around and the Governor told our President, "to hold it," while he touched the President's pant leg to swat it away. In the background someone yelled, "where is the secret service?" A short time later, the President, was then swatting the same bee away from the Governor. Shortly after that, a Congress person sneezed and then pretended to wipe his hands on the Congresswoman's back, who was standing in front of him.
It is good to have faith, and to laugh, even in the storms of our lives. We can make it through this world, if we have faith, and if we can help and laugh with each other.
God, raise up these people who have been affected by these devastating storms. Comfort them, and bring Your Comforter to them. Amen.
Your faith in that God in which we trust, and Christ, is inspiring. Thank you for your public comment.
I saw that as well. It was funny and in such circumstances the people must look for inner strength and some levity. I love the south. I am heartbroken.
Well when all you God faring people finally get off your knees and stop praying MAYBE you will do something constructive like actually going to the latest ACT OF GOD disaster and doing some work and actually helping out your fellow mortals for a change
Witchking not an act of God. Jesus called the storm on the lake peace. Job's children were killed by a great wind send by Satan. John 10:10 The thief (Satan) comes to steal kill and destroy.
Face it. God is very angry at the southerners for dissing Obama and for having voted twice for Bush.
On a more serious note, if there was a God, he wouldn't have let this kind of evil happen. It's amazing how the religious see him everyone, and find meaning even in his treacheries. It's still not too late to get your head out of the sand, and put a stop to climate change. Tornados? You ain't seen nothing yet.
Build more resilient structures. Brick, stone and steel. More expensive to build, but less prone to vaporizing if you live in a disaster prone area.
Didn't you see the pictures? There isn't any way to build a structure that is completely storm proof, unless it is underground!
On a post a few days ago, someone mentioned a hobbit house. After seeing the pictures of the destruction, that wouldn't be a bad idea. Or maybe an ammo bunker. At minimum, there should be neighborhood storm shelters.
You mean the entire south half United States?
@Realistic: you mean ALL of the US. EVERY US state has had at least one tornado rated EF0 or higher-- EF0 winds START at 65 mph, which is enough to blow an empty Rubbermaid trash can through a glass window and hurt someone (I've seen it done, the guy was knocked unconscious by the can and had to have several dozen stitches in his arms, legs and face from the glass. He hasn't lived down putting his garbage can in the wrong spot, lol). California had a tornado in Riverside County, near Moreno Valley in 2008. Still, your point is definitely seen.
Another to be made for Sp3ktr3: Did you know that Charleston, SC and Memphis, TN are more at risk for a major earthquake (6.0 or above) than LA is? Did you know that SC's largest earthquake registered a 7.3? http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/states/events/1886_09_01.php Statistically speaking, SC can have another major quake. Links, SC and TN respectively http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/states/south_carolina/hazards.php ; http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/states/tennessee/hazards.php
(by comparison, here is a map of California: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/states/california/hazards.php The red areas are areas by faults and are at risk for a massive earthquake)
By your reasoning, we should employ BILLIONS of dollars in resources to make sure SC and TN have the same earthquake damage prevention as Tokyo-- the buildings are on rollers to minimize damage; they SWAY as oppose to crumble.
Where, Sp3ktr3, are we to get that kind of money?
A friend of mine who is an insurance adjuster wrote a book on property insurance claims. He's giving copies of the E-book away to help the tornado survivors get their lives back together. (I'm surprised MSNBC isn't aware of this)
www .claimgamebook.com
makes me glad I live in AZ. Honestly we have crap for weather, and more or less geologically dead. Granted our Monsoons can be bad, but yeah they have been getting sissier and sissier over the past 5 years with an occasional storm in the mix.
No building is ever going to be weather proof. The day someone starts boasting it is, is the day the worst natural disaster will come and prove otherwise. Just look at Titanic, and their boasting of, "Unsinkable" ...
My heart goes out to the families involved. For 24 hours I worried about my God mother in Alabama. Thankfully her, and her family are safe.
And where the "F" is FEMA?
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected. May God grant you the strength to face the trials before you and may he bless those who have been lost.
God Bless these people and give them the strength to build anew. Many good things can become of tragedy; it will take time but they can do it. I have not heard from my sister they are out that way travelling; I will pray for all good things to come your way. Do your best to keep positive.
I recall a large mass of humanity from the damaged area CHEERING when Jerry Falwell told the country that "God is punishing California with an Earthquake for it's sins".
I recall the past 2 Gov's. of Mississippi & Alabama DEMANDING an end to Federal "Handouts" & Welfare" of people in desperate need of services that they cannot afford.
I also recall those Gov's. saying that they would send back Federal Money for economic stimulation.
Where was that Gov. from who stood in Congress and APOLOGIZED to BP for the "Shakedown" the Fed's had committed?
And in Texas the Gov. who publicly stated he wants to secede from the Union now is demanding money to help Texas' fire damage.
I wish I was ignorant enough to demand the same things for these victims of the Tornado....
to give them what they cheered for & demanded
...
but at this point all I can offer is sympathy.... which is what they wanted all along,
to play victim & have us feel sorry for them....
they eat they babies & cry that they have no children.
I
Fids, you are a lost soul who is relishing in the pain and suffering of others. I will pray for you along with the families and loved ones affected by this tragedy and pray that something of this nature will never happen to you or your loved ones.
Fids, first I agree with WhiteMenace, and just want to set the record straight, it was Texas Congressman, Joe Barton that apologized to BP, Governor Perry of Texas has his own cross to bear ;-)
I just spent the day assisting in the cleanup in Smithville. Here's why we would prefer you keep your Federal money: Droves of volunteers with tractors, dump trucks, backhoes, and chain saws are being turned away at roadblocks on the perimeter of town because they are not under contract with the only "FEMA Approved" heavy equipment supplier for the cleanup. Citizens are being told that FEMA funds will only be available if they use the FEMA contracted company for cleanup. Nice monopoly when you are turning away 90% of the people who are begging to do the work for free.
If you want to help, contact the local churches. They have feet on the ground, and the citizens know and trust them.
I just dont understand why people are making this about politics. This is a tragedy that I hope NOONE ever has to go through. I know that isnt realistic, but these people are someone's kids, parents, granparents, etc. I too will pray for these individuals that have nothing better to do than relish on this type of tragedy!! I know people in the two most effected areas, one which is now deceased in the blink of an eye. This is our home and we are in mourning!!!!!
In NC dealing with last week's damage.
Smithville? A tornado would definitely destroy that little podunk town. I know Smithville because my mom is from there...and I have relatives there, although I do not know them very well.
I normally would not even waste my time or lower my standards to respond to a post like this, but after the devestation that happened on Wednesday to Smithville I feel that I need to express my total disgust. Dnimerick, you are a prime example of what is wrong with the world. You are void of respect, courtesy, empathy, compassion, and common sense. I am from that town you call "podunk" and I am very offended. The town is small but that is part of the reason people live here. The people in the town and outlying communites are close and they care about each other. The school is a source of pride and have graduated many students who have college degrees and many of those have PhD behind their name like I do. They have won state championships in football, softball, weightlifting, and band. Our baseball and softball teams are both playing in the playoffs on Saturday and Monday with equipment, uniforms, and the use of playing fields donated by surrounding schools. This is proof that the caring spirit goes far beyond our town. Smithville has lost everything at this point but its faith, family, love for God and others, and its proud support for our school and students. Dnimerick, I am sure your relatives at Smithville share in this and I am sure that is part of the reason you don't know them well because you are void of this type of love and feelings. Please stay where you live and visits to our town are not necessary. I feel sure your relatives would feel the same!
I also never post to comments but I feel I need to respond to this one. I live right outside of Smithville and the devestation this community has faced is unbelievable. With that being said, the love, support and faith that Smithville and the surround communities have will rebuild this town. I am thankful to say that I am from Northeast Mississippi and feel blessed that I have the opportunity to live in a place where people respect each other and help in times of need. Please understand that even though Smithville has been destroyed, with their faith in God they can overcome this. Lives have been lossed and people are suffering, they are digging through what is left of their homes searching for anything the can salvage. Right now there are family members who don't know where their loved ones are. Please have some respect for the people of Smithville.
@dnimerick you really should be praying for those ppl they've lost everything! You can call it podunk by we call it home just as you might call a big city home.
This is so heartbreaking -- our hearts and prayers are with all of you --
God is ever present at the heart of a storm. Remember "Job" and how he lost everything, God multiplied the things in his life. Although the storm is over, your blessings will begin. May the peace of the Lord comfort this town and the many others that were stuck by the devastation of this storm.
Loud and clear, we need to love and care about one another, not just those who are members of our church. " Love your neighbor as you would love yourself". Stop hiding behind the words in the Bible and take action. For every missed opportunity to do good comes punishment.
unless god can pick up a hammer or a shovel. donate a blanket or tents. then just leave him the hell out of it. real help is needed, tangible. pray on your own time.
God can do all those things through the people who believe in him. I hope you are never in need. If prayer is all that people can do ,fadman and Eva, then those people are giving more than money can ever buy. Fadman, just curious as to what tangible thing you are doing for the town of Smithville and Eva what action are you taking?
we are his hands and feet.
I think after viewing this disaster and if I lived in areas with the potential for such storms an investment in either an underground structure, or a steel and reinforced concrete room in the cellar would be a sound one. Large enough for the size of the family, and perhaps cots, emergency radio, etc. You may never need it, but the one time you do, it would be there. A very sad situation, and my heart goes out to those affected by these tornados.
I feel for those who think that when something bad happens that God is punishing, yes God's wrath against sin is punishment, however that wrath was satisfied through the sacrifice of Jesus which was planned in eternity from the foundations of the earth, Rev 13:8.
For us to understand why bad things happen we need to understand that God has had and will always have two eternal purposes as long as this earth endures, first he wants all men saved 1Tim.2:4, second he wants all of the saved to conform to the likeness of his son Romans 8:29. In everything God has done and will do he is working these two eternal purpose.
For those who are not in a covenant relationship with God, God uses storms and the like to say I love you and want you to be my child and you are not paying attention, maybe now you will seek out for me that you realize you are not in control and I am. How many of you could have held the storm back!
Jonah only looked up when he was sinking to the bottom of the sea, sometimes the only time we will look up is when we are sinking. God saved Jonah and he wants to to save everyone but he will only save those who look up and seek out for him.
Next if you are in a covenant relationship with God, can people look at you and say there goes someone who looks just like Jesus, if not the storms of life and the testing we go through is God's way of molding you into the likeness of Jesus. If you are in that covenant relationship you need to use these times to ask yourself how would Jesus be handling this. Would Jesus be concerned with the physical things or the Spiritual? Would he be worried about what he would eat, where he would sleep or what he would wear.
The answer lies in Matthew 6:25 to the end of the chapter!
We can get so caught up in the physical that we loss sight of what is really important. You can rebuild a house but you can not get back a life that is lost to eternal destruction. We all have the opportunity of eternal life until the last breath is taken after that our eternal destination is set in concrete and will not change whether good or bad.
The storms should move us toward making sure we or those we know and love are ready to meet God at any given moment.
Pray that out of this destruction that God will use this opportunity to move people toward one of his two eternal purpose.
Underground storm shelters or a solid cement room in a basement are really the only safe places to be. If you don't have a basement, go to the center part of your house, a closet or bathroom. Never in a room that has an outside wall. I grew up in Kansas. I know what kind of destruction tornadoes can do. If you are driving in your car, don't try to outrun a tornado. Get out of your car, and into a ditch, and cover your head with your arms. Never underestimate these storms.
Everyone in this country needs to know what to do during a tornado. They don't just happen in Tornado Alley, they can happen anywhere, and people need to know how to survive them.
I now live in Georgia, not too far away from where some of these tornados hit. I ask that your thoughts and prayers (if you believe in prayer) are for the people who were hit by these storms.
and for pete's sakes, don't use an overpass as shelter. The overpass can actually AMPLIFY a tornado's winds and PROBABLY cause injury as opposed to possibly if you were to just leave the car and jump into a ditch or a substantial structure.
I repeat my question that was originally addressed to Sp3ktr3 to Elizabeth Marie: with what money? Do you have any idea how much Greensburg, Kansas cost after it was 95% obliterated by an EF5? $100 million ( http://www.nutsonline.com/jericho-greensburg.html ). Just to rebuild the town. Now they're rebuilding the town GREENER. And STRONGER. That in itself is going to put the cost through the roof: Greensburg had a population of 1500 people at its peak; Tuscaloosa has a population of almost 100,000, most of whom are college students.
Now, if you were to have a house or apartment complex designed around a steel re-enforced safe room, that may be more cost effective. Building an ENTIRE HOME out of ... say... steel is pointless: one, because of the cost (it's a frontloaded cost-- you have to pay for it, THEN it gets built) and two, not even steel will stand up to the winds of an EF5, two mile wide tornado. Steel is a LOT heavier than sheetrock and there would be FAR more casualties.
Keep in mind that NO STATE is immune from tornadoes: my state had THREE tornadoes in the span of two weeks and that's unusual for us. They destroyed a town, killed people and threw everyone into a state of panic: "OMG what do we do now??"
nn
In reading some of these comments, the phrase "You can't fix stupid" comes to mind. The devastation of the tornados is mind boggling. I don't care who you are or where you live, you have to FEEL something. These poor people have had their lives shatttered. They will be affected for the rest of their lives. Scarred inside and out. If you are in a position to help, then do so, but don't put them down. It could've been you.
May God have mercy on the souls who lives were lost and God's grace of strength to those left behind to pick up the pieces.
The storm may come. If there are shelters, then it is time to go to the shelters. If there are no shelters in town, then the shelters need to be set up to the next town.
The storm may come. They can clean up after the storm.