mack -

No such thing as a small tornado in our vernacular. There's bad ones and then there's worse ones.

It appears from the early reports - links above - that there were few injured, and significant but not overwhelming damage to buildings. We'll hope that report holds up as more comes out about the London one.

We get queasy feelings whenever someone uses "the _\T_/ word" - especially in connection with places where we might have friends.

Whenever someone brings up the weather, Lin's likely to say "ya ain't seen nothin' like ..." Her brother told me (several times) the year she was born, their "home town of Higgins TX was all but wiped out by one of them thar twisters, with the result that she had to be bornded in Perrytown 'stead of at home with her ma like she'd a wanted."

Higgins may be compared with the BBC photos linked up above.

Oklahoma City Times - Thursday, Aril 10, 1947 gives an original story.

Lin didn't get there 'til a a bit after it hit; but she still likes to talk like it was a "personal experience."

We've unfortunately seen lots of pictures like "Higgins" over the years around here. Only the big ones get a lot of coverage now, and the Higgins area monster is considered the 4th biggest ever in Texas and 6th among US killers; but we still pay attention when the weather turns, or looks like it might.

Weather warnings have gotten a lot better, and construction is a little more robust, so we don't lose as many people as we once did; but they're still a constant threat - and Kansas where we are now, despite it's reputation, ranks well down on the list of places where they're most numerous in the US, but a little higher up for big 'uns.

Hoping for good reports, especially on any or our folk who may have been in the area.

John