Texas Spring/Summer Thread

[Western]

West really got hammered, can't imagine a blast heard 50 miles away. Who knew a fertilizer plant was THAT dangerous:shocked: Prayers for all. I heard 5 firefighters unaccounted for.

High winds right now, slight rain has moved through, radar shows wetness east of here and moving further away. Low 50's now. Nap time.

Being ex Texas LEO, I am proud of the response for "All hands on deck" And the response of area businesses that opened their doors to help and feed responders and West residents. The response from Texas agencies was incredible.

As far as the volunteer fireman presumed missing, Heroes IMO and best wishes for their families as they wait for information. Most of these VF, do this for the community, they dont "go on strike", dont "walk out" they just get it done.

Had to "edit"
Not surprised, but likewise proud of the "Texans" that responded, if you where watching the early coverage, you saw "regular folk" running "to the scene to help" not the other way around....Just say'in.

 

[econometrics]

Amen to that, Western. Great Texans and great Americans!

 

[txdon]

West really got hammered, can't imagine a blast heard 50 miles away. Who knew a fertilizer plant was THAT dangerous:shocked: Prayers for all. I heard 5 firefighters unaccounted for.

High winds right now, slight rain has moved through, radar shows wetness east of here and moving further away. Low 50's now. Nap time.

The Texas City explosion was also a fertilizer explosion - April 16, 1947 - 581 people died and it wipe out the FD.
Texas City Disaster - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It should be noted, Texas requires NO minimum training to be a Volunteer Firefighter.

 

[Western]

The Texas City explosion was also a fertilizer explosion, - 581 people died and it wipe out the FD.
Texas City Disaster - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Don, thanks for the link:thumbsup: I had heard about that, but never read any articles about it. 2.300 tons!! WOW the Oklahoma Alfred P Murrah bombing was only 4-5k lbs, or just over 2 tons! I also didn't realize it started on a docked ship.

 

[txdon]

When thinking about evacuation distances I always remember the two-ton anchor of that ship, it was thrown 1.62 miles.

In West I was reading where the VFD was the process of evacuating when it blew. They knew the explosion potential and were trying to minimize life exposure - but time was not on their side yesterday. Sometimes all you can do is still not enough.

 

[Western]

Amen to that Don, I think they did the best they could with what they had..knowing..Heroes by any definition.

 

[jinman]

Looking at the apartment building on the news, I could not help but notice how the roof debris looked like it had been lifted from the inside. I suspect the blast blew out windows and doors and raised the pressure inside the structure so that the the roof lifted and then fell before collapsing. Perhaps that's the view on the side opposite the blast, but it reminds me of the way buildings come apart in movies of bomb tests showing shock wave damage. When you see the terrific damage to vehicles, there must have been lots of heavy debris flying around too.

West is just one of many communities with similar fertilizer facilities. We don't think of them as we think of facilities that make bombs and explosives for weapons. Perhaps we should. Could we look at these facilities and make sure that safety zones are in place and people cannot live so close? Of course, these facilities start small and then grow. In small towns, jobs are more important than zoning restrictions.

 

[bindian]

Don, thanks for the link:thumbsup: I had heard about that, but never read any articles about it. 2.300 tons!! WOW the Oklahoma Alfred P Murrah bombing was only 4-5k lbs, or just over 2 tons! I also didn't realize it started on a docked ship.

Dennis,
That blast put the 3,000 pound ship's anchor over one and a half miles away. They have it at the memorial now.

On the rain front...........I slept thru the piddle we got. Mysteriously, my rain guage disappeared. Very unnerving trying to figure that one out.
hugs, Brandi

 

[Western]

My wife's boss found out today that her sons best friends uncle (I know down the line) died in his house 1 block from the explosion. His house was totally destroyed. The worry was that her son may have been there since he stayed there 3-4 days a week. Last night was her sons luckiest day, since he was in Waco, but she was in a panic until early this morning when he called.


Brandi, is it possible the gauge blew off?? been real windy here, I know that is a "long shot". I swear one of Jim's buckets blow down my street,:laughing: we've had gust probably up to 35mph+

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Sad for West. Prayers for the fallen and their families.

TxDon, question, why do firefighters go into buildings that could collapse or situations where an explosion is a big possibility? I understand if you can quickly get in to attempt to save a human, but only if it is known that humans are in it. The tragedy in Bryan at the burning VFW hall a few months ago that killed 2 firefighters for example. That whole building wasn't worth the spit in a hog's mouth.

Even the police don't HAVE to put their lives in peril, even if it could save another's life. That went up to the supreme court some years ago.