Oklahoma's May 31st tornado was determined to be the largest on record. We were all still shell shocked from the May 19th tornado (23 dead) that had leveled much of Moore, OK. This new storm made us nervous. In the end the death toll for the freaky Friday tornado and flood, shown in our video, stands at 22. Oklahoma is listed as #7 on the 'World's Most Dangerous Places to Live' a 2009 article in Popular Mechanics. How did we manage? Just watch...
Two families tried to take shelter from the tornados in this same drainage ditch, the Deep Fork River. They were swept away by the torrential flooding. Rain came down all night, about ten inches. Many of their bodies were not found for weeks after the storm. I witnessed the fast moving water that night, and imagined seeing a fear stricken person speeding by, helpless in the concrete walled storm drain.
Several days after the storm, one of the missing mothers, Yolanda Santos', body was found near 36th and May, about a block from our home. KOCO.com reported on the shocking discovery.
Several days after the storm, one of the missing mothers, Yolanda Santos', body was found near 36th and May, about a block from our home. KOCO.com reported on the shocking discovery.
 The Deep Fork River beside our home has concrete walls about 20 feet high My son, August, and I unknowingly walked close by Yolanda's body many times on our night walks through the flooded Venice neighborhood. Her body was hidden in debris that had piled up against a chain-link fence along the drainage ditch. The day her body was found, Casey saw a posse of searchers, probably her family members, in high rubber boots walking down the drainage ditch. It is a sad end for this young family. The meteorologists warned that we needed to get underground, an interior room wasn't good enough for a storm of this size and strength. We were all still terrified by the last deadly storm. This family was trying to be safe. |  Deep Fork as seen in the video of the storm 5.31.13. The water reached the footbridge.  Shrine for Yolanda on 36th between May and Villa. |
swift water rescue by the mailbox I wish there could have been a swift water rescue that night. We've seen a swift water rescue at our place before. We watched from the driveway.
This happened in the spring of 2011. It hadn't been raining in our area, so it was a surprise when the drainage ditch filled up with storm water from south of here. Luckily this man was saved, he was able to call for help with his cell phone. This team of men saved him with the ropes you see.
One of the rescuers had a sincere talk with August and me. He made us promise never to go down in the ditch. We have broken the promise. The drainage ditch is a kind of nature sanctuary. Right in the middle of the city, you can climb down there, and it can be so peaceful. We have to keep in mind from time to time it takes lives.
This happened in the spring of 2011. It hadn't been raining in our area, so it was a surprise when the drainage ditch filled up with storm water from south of here. Luckily this man was saved, he was able to call for help with his cell phone. This team of men saved him with the ropes you see.
One of the rescuers had a sincere talk with August and me. He made us promise never to go down in the ditch. We have broken the promise. The drainage ditch is a kind of nature sanctuary. Right in the middle of the city, you can climb down there, and it can be so peaceful. We have to keep in mind from time to time it takes lives.
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