F-5

The verdict is in. The tornado that hit Parkersburg and New Hartford can be scaled as a low-end EF-5 (Enhanced Fajita scale). At its strongest point the winds registered 200 to 205 mph.

An additional man from Parkersburg died in the hospital, bringing total fatalities to 7 for those two towns.

The Applington-Parkersburg schools (small towns often combine, educationally) have been canceled until further notice. While final exams were scheduled for this week, the high school seniors are finished since they graduated approximately one week ago.

The Des Moines Register had a very nice color photo layout and accompanying articles on everything, but since they sold out between 7-8 this morning, there was no chance of Ma getting one. I won't complain. The people who lost their homes ought to at least have a paper commemorating the event.

Here are "several" photos from which you can choose a closer look--from the KWWL news site. There were other montages at the Des Moines Register, but their site has suddenly put up the 'under construction' sign, so I can't steer you to them at this moment. You may wish to try again, later.

{Now I've accessed it again...after you get to the site, scroll down to "photos" and immediately under "staff favorites" should be a picture of a flag flying in the rubble...that's the one you want}
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In other news--because our lives have pretty much gone on, though others' have been irrevocably changed--I did the shopping today. I would say that food expenses have gone up close to 40% for our family over the past 9 months. Even though we're not eating meat for every main meal, I think we'll be making some additional cutbacks.

It's downright depressing.

And that's why I'm gonna put up a picture of my blooming peonies :-) 'cause I need something pretty to look at and think about.
Not the greatest, since the shadow of the mailbox falls across the corner, but one needs to look at something other than destruction, once in a while.
 

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