Premier Sends Condolences To Oklahoma
Premier Craig Cannonier contacted the Governor of Oklahoma and expressed Bermuda’s condolences following yesterday’s [May 20] devastating tornado.
At least 24 people — including nine children — were killed when a massive tornado struck an area outside Oklahoma City on Monday afternoon, CNN reported.
The tornado was estimated to be at least two miles wide at one point, and the preliminary rating of the tornado was at least EF4 [166 to 200 mph].
“On behalf of the Government and people of Bermuda, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the people of Oklahoma in the wake of yesterday’s devastating tornado,” said Premier Cannonier.
“As a jurisdiction that is often the target of hurricanes and sometimes tornadoes, we are keenly aware of the pain and turmoil caused by such natural disasters.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those who have lost loved ones, especially those who have lost children.”
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin says Monday’s massive tornado was “one of (the) most horrific storms and disasters that this state has ever faced.”
“Oklahoma will get through this,” she said. “We will overcome. We will rebuild. We will regain our strength.”
Today rescuers searched “board by board” for survivors of the massive tornado that carved a trail through the area as much as two miles wide and 17 miles long, officials said. At least 100 people have been pulled alive from the rubble by rescuers.
The worst part is that the behemoth of a storm ripped apart an elementary school ending the shot lives of innocent children.
My condolences to all affected by this event.
This wake up call is unfortunate but real for the lives of those directly effected by it and indirectly by those who know what real devestation feels like.
Bermuda is so blessed and have had it share of close calls and even with the hurricane that took three lives,we have never really experience a mass devestation in this country.
So with all respect I am grateful for life and the ability to have a home land that has been spared from so much but mindful of the suffering of these folk in Oklahoma and the terrifying nightmare that they are now faced with.
May God strengthen them that have survived this ordeal and comfort those that mourn. let us search within our selves to see how we can help make a difference in the lives of others in the time of their needs.
Don’t know which is worse. Hurricanes or tornados. Hurricanes you can watch them come & prepare for them. They also cover a far wider area. Tornados can drop out of a thunderstorm in a minute & do ferocious damage & be gone. They also smash up a relatively small area.
Driving through Tornado Alley & seeing damage caused by recent & not so recent tornados is not so different from Bermuda after Fabian got finished with us. A swath of large trees stripped of everything but major branches. Few hundred yards further, no damage at all. Structures which have obviously taken a major beating. Not far away others which have stood 100 years.
The good news is that, despite what appears these days on TV, the chances of getting hit by a tornado are extremely slim. Maybe something as remote as getting hit by lightning. Still, they are fearsome things.