Historic

[filkertom]

That's the most popular buzzword describing the incredible, horrific outbreak of tornadoes that has smashed through the American East, especially the Southeast. A hell of a lot of people have died, and a hell of a lot more have had their lives, their towns destroyed.

Anybody who frequents this LJ, who lives in or has been traveling through the danger zones, and especially those of you in Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi, please sound off so we know you're okay.

Comments

[smparadox.livejournal.com]

The storm system made it here, but as near as I can tell, the actual tornadoes were unable to make it across the border from Michigan to Windsor, and got held up in Immigration until they dissipated. This may be the only time the security checks at the border have actually done some good!

[saganth.livejournal.com]

Everything's fine here in Chicagoland - just some light rain and the usual winds. I didn't even know about the tornados until just now (no tv reception here, so if I want news I have to go hunting for it). I had no idea there were tornados in Michigan! I am glad you're ok!

[laurel-potter.livejournal.com]

We had one on the west side of the state, near a little town called Dorr, which is SW of Grand Rapids and NW of Kalamazoo. Most of the really bad stuff went south of Grand Rapids. There's an expressway interchange, US 131 and M-6, which is about six miles south of me, that had hail and a possible rotation.

[alverant.livejournal.com]

Has Chicagoland ever been hit with tornadoes? I've been here since '99, almost a dozen years now and I don't remember any. I've been lucky that way. Never had to worry about tornadoes they always seem to avoid where I live.

Maybe I'm a good luck charm. :)

[saganth.livejournal.com]

I've been told we can get small ones in this area.

[tealbeen.livejournal.com]

Well, Chicago certainly has been hit by tornadoes multiple times - from the National Weather Service study of significant tornadoes in Chicago -
Some facts about Chicago's Significant Tornadoes

There were 92 significant tornadoes in the 8-county Chicago metro area between 1855 and 2008.
The deadliest tornado occurred on April 21, 1967, during an outbreak of 5 significant tornadoes. A violent F4 tornado formed in Palos Hills in Cook County and traveled through Oak Lawn and the south side of Chicago. 33 people died and 500 people were injured by this 200 yard wide tornado that traveled 16 miles and caused over $50 million in damage.

The most recent significant tornadoes occurred on June 7, 2008 over Will and Cook Counties.

The only F5 tornado to ever strike the Chicago area was on August 28 1990. This tornado formed near Oswego and passed through Plainfield, Crest Hill, and Joliet. The tornado killed 29, injured 350, and caused $165 million in damage along a 16 mile path.