Branson, MO And Harveyville, KS Hit Hard By Storms
A tornado-damaged home sits amid debris along Main Street, Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012, in Harveyville, Kan. The small eastern Kansas town of Harveyville took a direct hit from an apparent tornado late Tuesday, injuring 11 people and reducing much of the town to ruins. Authorities say at least 12 people were injured. (AP Photo/John Hanna)
First Posted: 02/29/2012 10:22 amUpdated: 02/29/2012 1:29 pm
Branson, Mo. and other towns in Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska were hit by deadly storms Wednesday morning. At least one person was killed in Buffalo, Missouri and dozens were injured when the storm system and reported tornadoes tore through the Midwest.
In Kansas, the small town of Harveyville was also battered by the storm. According to ABC News, 40 percent of the town was destroyed, including a church and an apartment complex. A local resident told ABC it was "just like a shotgun went off" when the storm hit.
[{"entry_id":"1559586","entry_url":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/stefanie-penn-spear\/grassroots-activism-and-environmentalism_b_1559586.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/229819\/slide_229819_1041868_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/229819\/slide_229819_1041868_small.jpg","title":"Grassroots Activism: The Core of the Environmental Movement","slideshow_id":"229819","vertical":"green"},{"entry_id":"1554259","entry_url":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2012\/05\/29\/boy-riding-shark-in-national-geographic-travel_n_1554259.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/229342\/slide_229342_1032940_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/229342\/slide_229342_1032940_small.jpg","title":"Boy Rides Shark In 'National Geographic Traveler' Photo Contest Entry","slideshow_id":"229342","vertical":"green"},{"entry_id":"1441657","entry_url":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2012\/04\/21\/earth-week-2012-challenge_n_1441657.html","content_type":"tweet","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/220770\/slide_220770_893727_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/220770\/slide_220770_893727_small.jpg","title":"Earth Week 2012 Challenges: Second-Hand Clothes And Products","slideshow_id":"220770","vertical":"green"},{"entry_id":"1547507","entry_url":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/natalie-pace\/the-diamond-jubilee_b_1547507.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/228792\/slide_228792_1023414_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/228792\/slide_228792_1023414_small.jpg","title":"The Diamond Jubilee and Nature's Prince","slideshow_id":"228792","vertical":"green"},{"entry_id":"1551110","entry_url":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/sandy-rosenthal\/hurricane-katrina-levee_b_1551110.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/229003\/slide_229003_1028370_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/229003\/slide_229003_1028370_small.jpg","title":"The Start of Hurricane Season and Quick Drive-by Levee Inspections","slideshow_id":"229003","vertical":"green"},{"entry_id":"1464119","entry_url":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2012\/04\/30\/green-shipping-tips_n_1464119.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/222928\/slide_222928_913662_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/222928\/slide_222928_913662_small.jpg","title":"Green Shipping Tips: How To Send Eco-Friendly Packages","slideshow_id":"222928","vertical":"green"},{"entry_id":"1446550","entry_url":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2012\/04\/23\/green-festival-2012-fostering-sustainability_n_1446550.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/222072\/slide_222072_896542_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/222072\/slide_222072_896542_small.jpg","title":"Green Festival 2012: Fostering Community And Sustainability In New York City And Beyond","slideshow_id":"222072","vertical":"green"},{"entry_id":"1555623","entry_url":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2012\/05\/31\/april-britt-massachusetts-baby-bird_n_1555623.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/22942\/slide_22942_947515_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/22942\/slide_22942_947515_small.jpg","title":"April Britt, Massachusetts Woman, Finds Baby Bird With 2 Heads, 3 Beaks","slideshow_id":"22942","vertical":"green"},{"entry_id":"1471218","entry_url":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2012\/05\/02\/tornado-france-f1-toulouse-video_n_1471218.html","content_type":"video","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/223989\/slide_223989_930216_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/223989\/slide_223989_930216_small.jpg","title":"Tornado In France: F1 Storm Touches Down South Of Toulouse (VIDEOS)","slideshow_id":"223989","vertical":"green"},{"entry_id":"1542443","entry_url":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2012\/05\/24\/japan-tsunami-debris-bone-ocean_n_1542443.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/212208\/slide_212208_747435_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/212208\/slide_212208_747435_small.jpg","title":"Japan Tsunami Debris: Bones Expected To Wash Ashore, Oceanographer Says","slideshow_id":"212208","vertical":"green"},{"entry_id":"1446786","entry_url":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2012\/04\/25\/state-of-the-air-2012-american-lung-association_n_1446786.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/222482\/slide_222482_903077_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/222482\/slide_222482_903077_small.jpg","title":"State Of The Air 2012: American Lung Association Reports Improvements, Challenges","slideshow_id":"222482","vertical":"green"},{"entry_id":"1452938","entry_url":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2012\/04\/25\/salton-sea-dry-san-diego-water-authority-plan-california_n_1452938.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/222631\/slide_222631_907275_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/222631\/slide_222631_907275_small.jpg","title":"Dried Salton Sea Could Produce 'Clouds Of Toxic Dust' Under San Diego Water Authority Plan","slideshow_id":"222631","vertical":"green"},{"entry_id":"1483420","entry_url":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2012\/05\/05\/climate-impacts-day-extreme-weather-climate-change_n_1483420.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/224577\/slide_224577_941490_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/224577\/slide_224577_941490_small.jpg","title":"Climate Impacts Day: 350.org Campaign Connects The Dots Between Extreme Weather And Climate Change","slideshow_id":"224577","vertical":"green"},{"entry_id":"1501015","entry_url":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/jennifer-grayson\/eco-etiquette-9-time-savi_b_1501015.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/225190\/slide_225190_954459_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/225190\/slide_225190_954459_small.jpg","title":"Eco Etiquette: 9 Time-Saving Tips For Busy Green Moms (PHOTOS)","slideshow_id":"225190","vertical":"green"},{"entry_id":"1464277","entry_url":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2012\/04\/30\/exxon-mobil-louisiana-oil-spill_n_1464277.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/220727\/slide_220727_873338_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/220727\/slide_220727_873338_small.jpg","title":"Exxon Mobil Louisiana Oil Spill Clean Up Begins","slideshow_id":"220727","vertical":"green"},{"entry_id":"1478513","entry_url":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/jamie-henn\/the-world-begins-to-conne_b_1478513.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/224542\/slide_224542_940819_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/224542\/slide_224542_940819_small.jpg","title":"The World Begins to 'Connect the Dots'","slideshow_id":"224542","vertical":"green"},{"entry_id":"1462989","entry_url":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/laura-dimugno\/five-natural-sites-where-_b_1462989.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/223254\/slide_223254_917283_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/223254\/slide_223254_917283_small.jpg","title":"Five Natural Sites Where Humans Threaten Biodiversity (PHOTOS)","slideshow_id":"223254","vertical":"green"},{"entry_id":"1556504","entry_url":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2012\/05\/30\/puma-cub-born-at-german-zoo_n_1556504.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/214233\/slide_214233_781732_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/214233\/slide_214233_781732_small.jpg","title":"'Missoula' New Puma Cub Makes Debut at Berlin Zoo","slideshow_id":"214233","vertical":"green"}]
Branson, Mo. and other towns in Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska were hit by deadly storms Wednesday morning. At least one person was killed in Buffalo, Missouri and dozens were injured when the storm sy...
Branson, Mo. and other towns in Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska were hit by deadly storms Wednesday morning. At least one person was killed in Buffalo, Missouri and dozens were injured when the storm sy...
HARRISBURG, Ill. (AP) — A hospital administrator in the southern Illinois city of Harrisburg says at least three people were killed in a severe storm...
BRANSON, Mo. -- A powerful storm system that produced multiple reports of tornadoes lashed the Midwest early Wednesday, roughing up the country music resort city...
Weather Underground Forecast for Wednesday, February 29, 2012. A strong storm in the Central U.S. will continue moving northeastward through the Upper Midwest on Wednesday,...
WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans' belief in global warming is on the rise, along with temperatures and surprising weather changes, according to a new university poll....
vbookish Since I'm not allowed by hp to post my concerns on this, I'll simply ask you. Just what do you hope can be accomplished by pushing "climate change?" Do you think that by making up "carbon credits" which allow one country to "pay" another (once that tops 5-90% is skimmed off the top) and the consumer to have their fuel rates "necessarily sky rocket" that the weather will suddenly become different? Is that what the "climate change" scientists have told you? That redistributing the wealth will make the "scary" weather go away?
HAD_ENUFF_HUFF: vbookish Since I'm not allowed by hp to post my
Strangely, the one that hit Harveyville was less than 20 miles (tornado miles) from my home. This morning people started asking if we were ok and I had not even realized it had come so close. Then again, in my area the tornado sirens usually just mean to get to the porch quick or you will miss the excitement.
Mark_Aaron_Murnahan: Strangely, the one that hit Harveyville was less than 20
All predicted by climate change scientists.............more intense storms...........and super cell like weather.
Can we address this yet..........Republicans? When?
vbookish7: All predicted by climate change scientists.............more intense storms...........and super cell
Good grief. PLEASE go back and research the weather patterns since the beginning of record keeping. If you will go and look...you will stop asking such stupid questions. This is nothing new. Its only being broadcast more. I remember back in the 80's they were predicting we were heading toward another ice age because the earth was cooling...and now just like clock work...just like it always has..the earth is in a cycle of warming. It will swing back around to cooling in time..just like it always has. Dont fall for it V. You cant believe what you see or hear on television.
brendaf031266: Good grief. PLEASE go back and research the weather patterns
There were several tornadoes in Kentucky but they didn't even mention that. There are tons of homes and businesses destroyed. I'm praying for them and in all the other states.
boodiers: There were several tornadoes in Kentucky but they didn't even
For those who wonder why anyone would want to live in an area where tornadoes occur, consider this. Any region has it's own natural events to be concerned about, whether it's earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, massive fires in heavily wooded areas, avalanches, flooding, etc. It leaves me wondering where some consider to be more safe than others.
This is cyclic, has been happening for thousands of years, and will continue. We do hear more about it now because of better communication resources, but that doesn't mean we're seeing more of it. But the bottom line is that it's inappropriate to be cracking tasteless jokes when people died violent deaths last night. Use a little sensitivity, please.
Eleventh_Hour: For those who wonder why anyone would want to live
After over 60 years in New Jersey, I now live in Georgia and we do have many tornado warnings, but few tornadoes. In New Jersey I don't remember any tornado warnings. The biggest threat was living 5 miles from Newark! I'll take Georgia!
tepeko: After over 60 years in New Jersey, I now live
Something to think about. The earthquake in Japan caused the whole Island of Japan to shift AND the earth moved 6 degrees on it's axis. The sun didn't move but the earth did. That, I believe is why we are seeing so much change in wheather patterns. Who knows what is coming with the earth being moved 6 degrees????????????????
reab800: Something to think about. The earthquake in Japan caused the
This has absolutely NOTHING to do with politics!!! It has nothing to do with Republican, Democrat, liberal, conservative, Obama or Bush. It has to do with those people whose lives have been affected by these tragedies. It's about helping those in need, and putting all that trivial, mindless partisan crap behind us.
It's only the end of February/beginning of March. We still have all of March, April, May and the whole Summer to get through yet. It's just the beginning. If last year was any measuring stick (let's hope it's not), it is going to be a very, very long 6 months or so. If it's starting this early, we may be in for what is an even worse storm season.
sandman7733: This has absolutely NOTHING to do with politics!!! It has
True. But some self-centered individuals choose to launch sick jokes, only because they're small-minded attention seekers. You obviously don't belong in the same category with them, you have compassion and common sense.
Eleventh_Hour: True. But some self-centered individuals choose to launch sick jokes,
Sounds like you are just as worried about this year as I am! I live in kansas and im keeping my fingers crossed that my house is still standing by the end of tornado season!!
angelhow1st: Sounds like you are just as worried about this year
I hope the best for you. Last year was truly unbelievable. Living in the Twin Cities, we are not subjected to tornadoes as much as those in Kansas would be, but we still get our fair share. Been through a couple of very close calls, but nothing like those in Joplin, MO, Tuscaloosa, AL, Greensburg, KS and many other places have been subjected to. Hoping for a better year this time around.
sandman7733: I hope the best for you. Last year was truly
Your lack of sensitivity makes it clear that you don't think beyond yourself. Have you even considered how many people died last night in a storm that you flippantly joke about? Poor taste outweighs common decency for some people, yet you try to make fun of others? You should be on the receiving end of the joke.
Eleventh_Hour: Your lack of sensitivity makes it clear that you don't
The weather is changing that's for sure. The entire country has had far more violent storms than we have had in the past. The tornado's seem to be starting earlier in the year with much more power and destruction. Over 550 people died last year alone in tornado's. Now this year its starting all over again. Something is changing the climate there is no doubt about it.
guitarwizard55: The weather is changing that's for sure. The entire country
Tornado death tolls don't really mean there are more or less tornadoes. It just means bad storms happened to hit more populated areas. The total number of strong tornadoes has been much lower in recent years than in the past. There is little evidence that we are experiencing a significant increase in natural disasters. We just do a better job detecting them.
dtgringo: Tornado death tolls don't really mean there are more or
The United States averaged 1,274 tornadoes per year in the last decade, with about 1000 tornadoes so far in 2011. April 2011 saw the most tornadoes ever recorded for any month in the US National Weather Service's history, 875; the previous record was only 542 in one month.[3] It has more tornadoes yearly than any other country and reports more violent (F4 and F5) tornadoes than anywhere else.
guitarwizard55: The United States averaged 1,274 tornadoes per year in the
Just like in this storm series, death tolls are higher when the sirens and alert systems fail to alert the people, especially in the middle of the night. It doesn't mean we have more tornadoes, we just hear more about them because of increases in ways we can communicate. Chec the statistics on it.
Eleventh_Hour: Just like in this storm series, death tolls are higher
a lot of the areas that were hit were rural and have no siren. My family live in rural Branson, the storm hit at 1:00 a.m. so unless someone was able to call you (cell phones weren't working, electricity was out), there was no warning. I'm just praising God that my family is safe. The tornadoe came within 1/4 block of my sister's house.
IRGrannyGoo: a lot of the areas that were hit were rural
This is not politics! Its nature! It happens and it isn't getting any better. It is a sad story for all involved, no matter who they are or what they come from. The world has lost it's sympathetic nature towards another human being.
Ashley_Smith0327: This is not politics! Its nature! It happens and it
If you look back at records there have been tornadoes in all seasons. Just because they're more common in the spring doesn't mean they can't happen any time of the year. We're only hearing about more of them because of our heightened ability to communicate. Most statistics don't really show there are more now than there have ever been. Climate change does happen; we don't live in the ice age that was eons ago, but it's an example that it's such a slow process that most experts still doubt what's being touted as a more rapid climate change.
Eleventh_Hour: If you look back at records there have been tornadoes
Wow. This morning was scary. Woke up to the sirens going off. Turned on the TV and there were two tornadoes in my county. So sorry to the families who lost loved ones and their homes. I knew we had been too spoiled by this weather. I am scared we will have a repeat of the April 3, 1974 tornadoes, I was 10 years old and it was by far the scariest thing I have ever seen. It was worse that the hurricanes we went through when I lived in Florida.
Susan_Keeling_Blakeman: Wow. This morning was scary. Woke up to the sirens
Why would anyone want to turn a horrible natural disaster into a political football? That is what many posters here are doing. Are we so divided as a nation that this kind of BS is the result?
olehippi: Why would anyone want to turn a horrible natural disaster
Lack of consideration for those who lost loved ones in this storm is really sickening. People are suffering and hoping to survive, yet some whose skulls must be empty try to get attention with unfunny jokes that only make them look like attention-seekers.
I commend you for not being in the same category they are in.
Eleventh_Hour: Lack of consideration for those who lost loved ones in
Well, these storms and natural disasters have been happening for MILLIONS of years. It really is no different now than it has ever been. It's just that there is so much more media to cover such events, not to mention that there are more people living on this earth than ever before.
sandman7733: Well, these storms and natural disasters have been happening for
Loading comments… 
First Posted: 02/29/2012 10:22 am Updated: 02/29/2012 1:29 pm