This is a public-interest archive. Personal data is pseudonymized and retained under GDPR Article 89.

[INDOOR-GARDENING:394] Re: "TORNADO DISASTERS IN KANSAS AND OKLAHOMA"

Dear Jim,

Our love and prayers to you and the ones you are assisting.  Know that our
hearts go out to you, and that we are wishing you all well.  

God bless all of you,
Jennifer Reed,
Paducah, KY
At 07:27 PM 5/4/99 EDT, you wrote:
>Dear Friends of the Glassehouse,
>
>There are so many inquiries to us on the computer today regarding the storms 
>here in Wichita, I thought it best to make one posting do it for all to save 
>us some time.  The Glassehouse and its staff are fine, well and not injured 
>or damaged in any way, thank heavens!  The tornados (there were two of them 
>here -- nineteen in the state last night)  were terrible.  We had one, as 
>many of you know, only a month ago just a mile from the greenhouses and now 
>these, again.  One was just a mile and a half from the Glassehouse and where 
>we live; however, it did not damage us except for mild breakage of limbs, 
>foliage and outdoor flowers.  We give many thanks.
>
>There were several deaths as you have seen on television and read in the 
>papers and hundreds are without homes today.  The five huge hospitals here 
>are packed even putting patients in the hallways.  We are closing for the 
>week in order for our employees as well and ourselves, to assist those in 
>need.  We spent some 8 or 9 hours today with our chain saws in the
devastated 
>areas, cutting limbs from homes and driveways and streets so emergency cars 
>and trucks can get in.  Several of our rental properties were damaged and we 
>have crews there working now.  Electricity and gas have been shut off in 
>these areas.  The National Guard is helping to keep looters out.  We will 
>work again tomorow and the remainder of the week to do what we can to help.  
>I believe two families will be staying with Glassehouse staff and myself for 
>the time being, as their homes were so badly damaged that they cannot live
in 
>them.  Several hotels and motels are opening up at no charge to help, also.  
>The Red Cross and Salvation Army are doing a marvelous job helping so many.  
>I stand in awe of these organizations as I watch them in action.
Helicopters 
>are doing much, both here and in Oklahoma City, to fly out the injured where 
>emergency trucks cannot drive in.  The devastation in Oklahoma City is much 
>worse than Wichita.  Our weatherman here in Wichita, says the Oklahoma 
>disaster is the worst in recorded history -- a number 5 on the scale of 
>rating tornados.  The highest there is.  Several of our staff have relatives 
>in Oklahoma City and as yet, don't know how they are.
>
>Thank your for you many calls, faxes and e-mails.  We are fine.  Tired, 
>stressed, but quite fine.  So you can rest easy.  I will spend the evening
in 
>the greenhouses watering and "checking things out," but all is well and we 
>can handle a few dry pots much easier than we can a tornado.  Shipping will 
>resume on Monday if all goes well.
>
>Thank you again.  So many of you have been so very kind and interested in
our 
>well being.  We appreciate you just as we always have.  Plant people are the 
>best!
>
>Cordially,
>
>Jim McKinney, McKinney's Glassehouse in Wichita, Kansas
>
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index