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Thursday, June 13, 2013

the significance of insignificance: tornadoes, Hur, and non-profits

I want to tell you a story. Some of this story is currently well-known, but I'll add a little bit to it that you may not have known:

On May 20th Moore, OK was hit with a devastating tornado which broke records in wind speed and property destruction. Somewhere between $3-$5 billion was estimated in damage. Educational programs told us that the best of houses collapse to winds of just over 100mph. This tornado had winds of over 200mph. We watched horrified as it struck hospitals, houses, and elementary schools. The 2-3 mile wide strip of damage quickly became referred to as Ground Zero.

In the hours and days afterwards, thousands of people flooded to the disaster area to help in any way they could. Average people were digging through piles of rubble to find survivors and their pets. Others gave rides to those whose houses were obliterated.

Posted by TylerMenge on ireport.cnn.comBut actually, way too many people than were needed went to Ground Zero—so much so that emergency vehicles couldn't enter and exit. First responders had little room to work; police shut down the area and all the news channels pleaded for people to stay away from the disaster area. There were so many helpers (and people wanting pictures) that they were actually causing harm.