If I may take a moment to any Deviant who is willing to read this, I live just north of Tulsa, Oklahoma which is about a 2 hours drive NE of Moore, OK. As some of you may have heard (and maybe not) Oklahoma in the towns of Moore, Newcastle, Carney, and a few smaller ones was hit Monday the 20th with one of the biggest tornadoes on the EF registry...EF 5!!
It had winds that exceeded over 200 mph and it cut a path thru Moore into some smaller towns for about 50 minutes, approximately 1.33 miles wide, and went on for about 20 miles.
Whole neighborhoods were wiped out which was about 12,000-13,000 homes gone!! Businesses wiped out, 4 schools were demolished in a matter of seconds.
The worst part of all is that 24 people lost their lives. The youngest was 4 months old & the oldest was 65. Over 300 people were injured in all.
10 kids were victims including 7 of those in one school alone, Plaza Towers Elementary.
I have lived in Oklahoma my whole life. I'm 42 and I've never personally been in a tornado, these are still happening in my "backyard" which is nicknames "Tornado Alley".
Amongst the tragedy that unfolded in a matter of seconds, real heroes have risen from the ashes to help their fellow Oklahoman. Not just the first responders, but volunteers from across this great nation have arrived here to help in any way they can with food, water, clothing, or even a helping in hand in the recovery of lives and property.
I read where the Russian president Vladamir Putin offered condolences and unspecified assistance to Oklahoma to those affected.
Personally, I did not know anyone there in Moore or the surrounding towns, but my belated uncle and aunt did raise their kids there over 10 years ago.  I watch the news and tears well up seeing the tragedy and devestation that nature can inflict upon us in a heartbeat.
In an EF-5 tornado, not much of anything can withstand it's fury when it's in the path of this big of a tornado. Only specially built and reinforced concrete/steel buildings have  chance.
I am reaching out to my fellow deviants to at least say a prayer, have a moment of silence, or whatever your faith entitles you to do to take just a moment for these fellow Okies of mine who have lost everything. My heart goes out to anyone who suffers a loss anywhere in this world of ours, but when it's your home state, the loss hurts a little more.
Our state will recovery and rebuild. It will take time, sweat, perserverance, and determination, but My state will bounce back.
We live in a great nation!! We currently have over 35-50 media stations here covering the loss and recovery here and hearing about the generousity by so many people wanting to help with food, water, supplies, money to people they don't even know shows how much people care for one another.
I don't do facebook, twitter, or any other stuff. These journals on Deviant art is the only thing I use reach out.
Again, I ask you to send your thoughts and prayers to the victims and lives affected by this tornado.
Thank you and GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!