"Obama pledges solidarity, aid to Okla. town; In offer, president indicates benefits of government" by Michael D. Shear | New York Times, May 27, 2013
MOORE, Okla. — The president’s visit symbolizes the money and resources of the federal government....
For Obama, natural disasters like the one in Moore provide a tangible example of his political philosophy — how a robust investment in government can provide returns for its citizens. The grim aftermath of each crisis can test the Republicans’ opposition to such policies.
Related: Globe Says Come On Down to the New Jersey Shore
It's still a mess and nothing has been fixed, but don't let that get in the way of the conventional myth built up by the media.
Mary Fallin, the Republican governor of Oklahoma, has repeatedly said the federal government is bloated and inefficient and needs to be reduced in size and ambition. In her State of the State address in 2012, Fallin disparaged the federal government, making no exception for agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
“Our success stands in stark contrast to the record of dysfunction, failed policies and outrageous spending that occurs in Washington, D.C.” she told state lawmakers. “In Oklahoma, we could teach Washington a lesson or two about fiscal policy and the size and proper role of government.”
But faced with financial and logistical damages that are beyond the resources of her state, Fallin has acknowledged the need for federal assistance. In an interview with Glenn Beck on his Internet show, the governor explained the need to work with the federal emergency agencies....
In his remarks in Moore on Sunday, Obama made a point of noting that federal funds have not only paid for disaster relief efforts but also for training of local and state police officers and firefighters that helped them to respond quickly after the tornado struck.
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Related: Obama Headed to Oklahoma
Scandals followed him.
After he left:
"On Monday, the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla., said there was a chance of more thunderstorms, hail, and isolated tornadoes in northern Kansas and south-ern Nebraska though the night. Forecasters said ‘‘intense supercells’’ were expected to form, which raises the risk for tornadoes and damaging winds."
"Okla. storm brings flooding and more tornadoes" by Manny Fernandez and Marc Santora | New York Times, June 02, 2013
HENRYETTA, Okla. — Twelve days after a tornado killed 24 people and destroyed hundreds of homes, Oklahoma City and its suburbs awoke Saturday morning to the aftermath of round two.
A storm set off tornadoes and severe flooding that caused widespread damage throughout the region Friday and claimed at least nine victims, including two children.
None of the tornadoes that touched down Friday was as powerful as the one that tore through much of Moore, Okla., on May 20. But the high winds, hail, and heavy rain — roughly 8 inches in a few hours — wreaked their own sort of havoc on Oklahoma City and suburbs to the west.
They overturned trailer trucks, stranded motorists on flooded streets and interstate highways, and sent passengers at Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City into tunnels to seek shelter.
Tens of thousands remained without power as the storm moved through Arkansas, Missouri, and Kentucky, claiming at least three more lives....
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Related:
"Standing water was several feet deep, and downtown Oklahoma City looked more like a hurricane had gone through than a tornado."
"The fearless find sport, career in severe weather" by Carol Morello | Washington Post, June 02, 2013
MOORE, Okla. — People in central Oklahoma have an intimate familiarity with tornadoes. Schoolchildren are led through weekly tornado drills every spring.
Little boys and girls dream of growing up to become storm chasers the way children elsewhere say they want to be firefighters or doctors. Residents stand calmly outside their front doors taking video of approaching tornadoes on their phones, calculating the moment when they will need to duck inside.
Storm chasing was once a relatively rare activity, conducted primarily by meteorologists who tried to get close enough to a tornado for research that could help predict the path of future tornadoes. Now there are so many people running into a tornado’s wake so they can capture up-close videos that there are traffic jams of storm-chasing vehicles on otherwise lonely country roads....
While the professionals are undaunted by the storm that laid waste to thousands of homes and businesses, some amateur storm chasers are reconsidering whether they want to look at another tornado....
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Related: 3 storm chasers among 13 killed in Okla. tornado
Grads in tornado-raked Okla. town vow to stay
NEXT DAY UPDATE:
"The remnants of a violent storm that claimed 18 lives in Oklahoma sent punishing winds and torrential downpours to parts of the Northeast and a tornado to South Carolina. And there could be more coming, though meteorologists say the worst is over."
"Flood sweeps away 2 trapped in cars
SAN ANTONIO — Torrential rains swamped San Antonio with flash floods Saturday, leaving at least two people dead as workers rushed to rescue more than 200 residents stranded in cars and homes. One woman became trapped in her car and climbed to the roof before being swept away in floodwaters, said a fire department spokesman. Her body was found next to a fence. Emergency officials also found the body of a woman who was swept away in her car while firefighters were trying to rescue her. No names were released (AP)."
"Texas teen killed by flood waters" Associated Press, May 27, 2013
SCHERTZ, Texas — Search teams found the body Sunday of a teenager who was swept away by flood waters as he tried to swim across a swollen creek near San Antonio, authorities said....
The search effort included helicopters, divers, and rescue teams in boats.
The usually dry creek in Schertz, northeast of San Antonio, had dropped about 10 feet since Saturday. Other rivers in the San Antonio area and surrounding counties continued to drop after peaking above the flood stage, but flood warnings remained in effect Sunday.
Two women died Saturday after being swept away by flood waters, some as high as 10 feet on some roads. One who was trapped in her car climbed to the roof before being swept away, and her body was found against a fence, said San Antonio Fire Department spokesman Christian Bove. Emergency officials also recovered the body of a woman in her 60s, whose car was carried away by water as firefighters were trying to rescue her.
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Also see: Trees toppled by wind snarl traffic
Climate change: New England crab chowder
What do you mean the fish just swam away?
Calif. wildfire threatens 2 communities
NEXT DAY UPDATE:
"Residents watched, waited until flames descended" Associated Press, June 04, 2013
PALMDALE, Calif. — Dozens of residents have been forced to flee a wildfire that chewed through more than 46 square miles of old chaparral and threatened two hamlets at the edge of Angeles National Forest....
Firefighters said the blaze was about 40 percent contained by Monday, as cool, moist air replaced torrid weather. The flames moved out of rugged mountains and onto the floor of the high desert Antelope Valley, where they became easier to fight.
‘‘The fire moved into an area where vegetation changed from real dense to real sparse,’’ US Forest Service spokesman Matt Corelli said....
Also Monday, two major wildfires were burning in northern New Mexico, and weather conditions were not expected to be helpful to firefighters....
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