In The Vortex

Author: David Drummond

  • 05/10/2010 HIGH RISK Chase Forecast

    Today is one of those days when it’s hard to be excited about chasing. Storm Prediction Center has issued a high risk for a large portion of Oklahoma and southern Kansas, and more than one long track, violent tornado is a distinct possibility. Hail could be larger than baseballs.

    While I’m certainly excited by what Mother Nature may have to offer for viewing, I’m equally apprehensive about the fact that someone is likely to lose life and property today. If you live in these areas, be certain to have your weather radios and to be paying attention to live news sources, because once storms fire, things are going to be happening quickly and storms will be moving fast. Have your plan now, because warning times are going to be short and you may not have much time to react.

    I’m heading out to Oklahoma today to chase this set up, of course. But I expect it will be difficult to due to fast storm motion and what is sure to be a very large amount of storm chasers on the road.

    Shortly after noon, I will be live streaming video for the remainder of the day on the LIVE ChaseCam page.

  • 04/30/10 Arkansas High Tornado Risk

    Storm Prediction Center has issued a HIGH RISK for Arkansas for this evening, with a high threat for tornadoes. The above graphic indicates the highest tornado threat currently.

    PEOPLE IN AND NEAR ARKANSAS NEED TO HAVE YOUR WEATHER RADIOS ON, AND TUNED IN TO LIVE NEWS SOURCES NOW!

    Numerous tornadic storms are across Arkansas right now. They are fast moving, most likely concealed in rain and darkness.  DO NOT HESITATE TO TAKE SHELTER if you are put under a TORNADO WARNING.

    One particular tornadic storm is threatening Little Rock right now, and has reportedly already caused damage and injuries in the East End area south of Little Rock.

    I’ll update this post as I have more info.

    04/30/10 8:46PM CDT  UNCONFIRMED: Fatalities reported in Conway and Van Buren Counties.

    04/30/10 8:56 PM CDT I40 closed near county line of Lonoke/Polaski County line on east side of Little Rock due to debris on hwy.

    04/30/10 9:01 PM CDT  Arkansas Emergency Management confirming 3 fatalities in Scotland in Van Buren County.  Also 25 serious injuries and countless minor injuries.  They report this is the most serious damage they are aware of at this time.

    04/30/10 9:16 PM CDT  East End, AR near Little Rock is confirmed hit hard by tornado.  Fire Dept. was hit. Likely the only FD there, as it’s a small community. Fire truck was damaged and trapped in the station. Firefighters took shelter in the bathroom and survived.  Major gas leak in the area.

    04/30/10 9:27 PM CDT Polaski County Sheriff’s Office reports major damage in the SE part of the county near 530.  Reporting houses destroyed but not injuries or fatalaties at this time.

    04/30/10 9:43 PM CDT Image of Fire Department in  East End, AR

    04/30/10 10:29 PM CDT  National Guard has been dispatched to East End, AR.  More tornadic storms headed directly at that area now!

    04/30/10 10:54 PM CDT Saline County  multiple homes were damaged, some people were trapped, 8 injured, 1 critical. Trees are hindering access to damage.

    04/30/10 11:09 PM CDT Forestry Crews are being dispatched to the hardest hit areas because of so much tree damage causing difficulty for emergency crews getting to the area.

    04/30/10 11:25 PM CDT  EM from Conway County, AR reporting damage in that county is confined to the north and west part of the county.  A door to door search is being done in the Center Ridge area.

    04/30/10 11:30 PM CDT National Guard deploying 50 troops to Scotland and 50 to East End, AR to help with search and rescue and security.

    05/01/10 12:48 AM CDT  All tornado warnings for Arkansas have finally expired.  This concludes the ongoing updates for this blog post.