At this point, everyone knows the Oklahoma City area was slammed by a massive tornado-maybe one of, if not the worst, in history. News reports say dozens of people were killed and hundreds of others injured. The catastrophic event demolished buildings to their foundations.
CNN reports, "Insurance claims will likely top $1 billion, Kelly Collins of the Oklahoma Insurance Commission told CNN. The cost would be higher than that from the May 3, 1999, tornado that hit the same area."
Weather.com calls the twister an EF5, which means its winds topped over 200 MPH in spots. The Weather Channel's survey shows the tornado's path length to have been 17 miles long and up to 1.3 miles wide. Winds were estimated in some spots to be 200-210 MPH in the area with EF5 damage.
Acts of Mother Nature sometimes eclipse the devastation brought on by man. Some may say that man caused this disaster by initiating global warming. Nobody knows for sure, but one thing is certain: Those affected will bounce back.
Tragedy and adversity have a way of bringing out the best in people. I saw firsthand how people came together after 9/11 and then, more recently, in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings. What has been most significant to me is the outpouring of love and support through direct communications via Facebook, Twitter and in the donations to Boston's OneFund and the American Red Cross for Oklahoma.
Be strong, Oklahoma. Or thoughts and donations are coming your way.
Robert Siciliano, personal and home security specialist to BestHomeSecurityCompanys.com, discussing burglar-proofing your home on Fox Boston. Disclosures.
