I'm here. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

The last couple of days have been touch and go at times though. I walked out of the office yesterday evening to see clouds moving very quickly in two different directions... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> I wondered what my mile walk to the parking lot was going to be like... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> I made it fine though. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

My heart goes out to all those who were much less fortunate than myself these past few days.

Smoke and prayers sent.

Prayers for those affected. Hopefully this will have a silver lining in encouraging other folk around the nation to ENGAGE IN DISASTER PREPAREDNESS.

According to my college education in this area, the best way to help far away disaster victims is by giving money to say the Red Cross (you can specify for use only in a particular disaster area if you wish). By the time shoes / clothes / food are gathered, shipped, received, sorted, stored, distributed the most critical period of the crisis has passed and the process proves to be a logistical nightmare.

Monetary donations are relatively instant and easily transferred geographically to help provide IMMEDIATE aid, which is most important.

To all my American pack mates.
I hope you and yours are safe and remain safe

My heart, thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families

Prayers sent to the victims.

This why everyone should at least take basic CPR emergency responder courses.
They are inexpensive and may save a life.

Prayers are being offered all the time brother.

My inlaws are in Alabama as missionaries and were right in one of the most affected areas. They were (miraculously) unharmed and have spent the day running around the county checking on members of their congregation. So much devestation, it's hard to comprehend.

My wife told me this morning that while there were tornadoes in nearby towns in northern VA, she and the kids were safe.

Sometimes you wake up and see the news and gotta wonder if this isn't the end of days.

As was posted previously, encourage those you know to engage in emergency preparedness. Can't be ready for everything, but having a supply of food, water, emergency tools (knives, tarps, hand cranked radios, etc) stored in a safe location (like a basement) or at least handy and ready to grab and go is a good idea for everyone.

The more prepared we as individuals are to care for ourselves and our families, the more we will be able to help out our friends and neighbors when tragedy strikes and help can't get there right away.

Amen to that D/T! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" />

I'm still waiting to hear from my son and family, but with phones out etc. it could be a while. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Keep the faith Tom. Is there any communications open to the base that could put you in touch with his workcenter? Just trying to help brainstorm brother.

Oh and in line with the disasters, I was told tonight be a couple different folks we got between 20 and 23 inches of rain in 8 days. WE are finally starting to see some headway as far as water removal from our area of town but as the water comes down from up north and the larger ditches and waterways become fuller, breaches in the levees have happened and caused flooding further down the line.

kylies brother & his wife live just outside of tuscaloosa.. they were ok. they didnt have a basement but went to their church & holed up in its basement

Glad to get a good report. And I know it makes you feel a lot better.

Think I'm gonna walk over to the next blook and check the water levels. Be back in about 20 minutes.