Just days after much of Joplin, Mo., was destroyed by a tornado, twisters are wreaking havoc in neighboring Oklahoma — including near and in the Route 66 town of El Reno, where at least three people are dead, according to the Daily Oklahoman and other media outlets.
One Oklahoma City television crew that chased the storm said the tornado struck Route 66 and Interstate 40 west of town and caused damage on El Reno’s north side. Several of the fatalities occurred when vehicles were blown off the road.
Computer models of weather conditions spelled such a grave forecast that many high schools and universities across the state shut down hours before the storms developed.
We’ll have more on this as it develops …
UPDATE: The storm system went through Route 66 News HQ in Tulsa with heavy rain, gusty winds, lightning and little else.
UPDATE 5/25/2011: The Oklahoman reported that eight people throughout Oklahoma have died from the storms. The ones near El Reno died when their vehicles were blown off I-40 or were caught by the twister when they abandoned their cars.
I actually planed a trip through Joplin but I decided to do it another time when it will be more safe….I hope Joplin will get the support they need.