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–6  Badger. “Catastrophic Multiple-Death Fires in 2014.” NFPA Journal, Sep/Oct 2015, p. 77.

–6  Gallagher. “Landlord charged in deadly Noyes Street fire…” Portland Press Herald, 9-8-2016.

 

Narrative Information

 

Badger/NFPA: “Maine…November, 7:17 a.m., six [deaths]…This was a three-story rooming house of unprotected wood-frame construction….There were at least eight occupants in the building at the time of the fire…There were smoke alarms present and they operated….This fire broke out on a porch due to careless use of smoking materials near a plastic cigarette butt container. The fire spread upward through the structure to the attic where it burned the roof…The fire blocked the egress from the second and third floors. There were no fire stops within the roof structure, allowing the fire to spread horizontally from end to end.”

 

Gallagher/Portland Press Herald, Sep 9, 2016: “A Portland landlord who pleaded not guilty to manslaughter charges stemming from the most deadly fire in Maine in 40 years[1] has waived his right to a jury trial. Gregory Nisbet was indicted on six counts of manslaughter in the wake of the Nov. 1, 2014, fire that killed six people. Nisbet has been accused in lawsuits filed by victims’ families of offering individual rooms for rent at the duplex at 20-24 Noyes St. without making the life-safety upgrades that are required to protect tenants in a rooming house.

 

“Nisbet’s lawyer, Matthew Nichols, said a judge granted the request for a bench trial on Aug. 31. The trial, which Nichols estimated would take five to seven days, is set to begin Oct. 3 before Cumberland County Superior Court Justice Thomas Warren. A person is guilty of manslaughter if he recklessly or with criminal negligence causes the death of another person. It is a Class A crime punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a $50,000 fine. If Nisbet is convicted, it would be the first time in Maine that a landlord was successfully prosecuted for manslaughter in the death of a tenant because of negligent operation of the building.

 

“Nichols said Nisbet requested the bench trial, which means the case will be heard by a judge, because of the complexity and because much of the case will revolve around arguments about the legal definition of whether 20-24 Noyes St. was a rooming house or a duplex, which have different fire safety requirements. After those issues are settled, the case will move on to address the manslaughter charge….

 

“The cause of the Noyes Street fire was found to be accidental – a discarded cigarette ignited a fire on the front porch. However, fire investigators concluded that the house did not have functioning smoke detectors, let alone the more sophisticated fire alarm system that would be required of a rooming house.

 

“Marchese[2] has said he state believes ‘Nisbet failed to be aware or consciously disregarded all of the problems with the apartment building,” and noted that other states, including New York and Rhode Island, have successfully prosecuted similar cases.

 

“Fire officials said the fire started on the porch and quickly engulfed the front door. A rear staircase was blocked, forcing the three survivors to jump from second-story windows.

 

“The fire killed Steven Summers, 29, of Rockland, Maelisha Jackson, 23, of Topsham, and Christopher Conlee, 25, of Portland, who were visiting the house, and David Bragdon Jr., 27, Ashley Thomas, 29, and Nicole Finlay, 26, who were residents.

 

“In the wake of the fire, the city toughened its inspection requirements for apartments in Portland and created an office specifically to oversee rental units. Every Portland landlord also is now required to register with the city and pay a $35-per-unit fee, or face a fine of $100 per day. Previously, city firefighters had only been conducting proactive inspections of businesses and apartment buildings containing three or more units. However, nearly half of the city’s rental units are two-family homes like the one at 20-24 Noyes St….

 

“A conviction would not necessarily require Nisbet to go to prison, but the state will push for that, officials said.

 

“A Cumberland County grand jury indicted him July 10 after plea negotiations between Nichols and the office of Cumberland County District Attorney Stephanie Anderson collapsed when Nisbet refused to agree to a manslaughter plea. Anderson’s office had given Nisbet a chance to plead to fewer counts of manslaughter and would have recommended a lesser punishment than what he could face if convicted in court.”

Sources

 

Badger, Stephen G. “Catastrophic Multiple-Death Fires in 2014.” NFPA [National Fire Protection Association] Journal, Sep/Oct 2015, pp. 71-79.

 

Gallagher, Noel K. “Landlord charged in deadly Noyes Street fire waives his right to jury trial,” Portland Press Herald, 9-8-2016. Accessed 10-3-2016 at: http://www.centralmaine.com/2016/09/08/landlord-in-deadly-noyes-street-fire-waives-right-to-jury-trial/

 

 

 

[1] Eight died in a shanty family residence fire in Oxford, July 4, 1967.

[2] Maine Deputy Attorney General Lisa Marchese.

–8  USA Today (Michael Winter). “8 dead in church bus crash on I-40 in Tennessee.” 10-3-2013

–8  WBTV.com. “Investigators release…names…church bus crash in Tenn.” 10-2-2013.

 

Oct 2 and 3:  “Knoxville, TN (WBTV/WVLT) — The Tennessee Highway Patrol has identified seven of the eight people killed in a fiery bus crash on Interstate 40 on Wednesday. Six of the dead were members of the Front Street Baptist Church in Statesville, N.C. They include the bus driver, Randy Morrison, and his wife, Barbara Morrison. Other victims from the church are Cloyce Matheny, Brenda Smith, Marsha McLelland and John Wright. All are from Statesville except Wright, who is from Mocksville…. One person in the sport utility vehicle, Trent Roberts of Knoxville, was killed. The driver of the tractor-trailer also was killed but has not yet been identified.

 

“The Highway Patrol said no charges have been filed in the crash. The Highway Patrol says the bus veered across the median and into oncoming traffic after a tire blew out, hitting a sport utility vehicle and a tractor-trailer, which caught fire. Troopers said that the wire median barrier was not made to handle the weight of the bus.

 

“No juveniles were involved in the crash but troopers said it’s been hard to identify some of the victims due to the nature of the crash….

 

“Sgt. Miller says the bus was owned and operated by Front Street Baptist Church. “It was not a charter or a leased bus.  It was a church-owned bus.  They were on an adult outing and senior trip.  The driver’s history, we can’t get into that at this point in time,” said Sgt. Miller. “As far as an issues with the bus, any safety issues, prior knowledge of that, that’s all under investigation as well.”….

 

“Authorities say the bus hit a tractor-trailer and sport utility vehicle. It happened along I-40 westbound at mile marker 423 in Jefferson County, Tenn., just past the I-40/I-81 interchange on Wednesday.

 

“Eighteen people from Front Street Baptist Church were on the bus. They were part of a senior group of church members called “Young at Heart.”

 

“There were three people in the SUV that was struck, one of those people died.  The eighth victim was the driver of the tractor trailer….”

 

(WBTV.com, Charlotte, NC. “Investigators release victim names in deadly church bus crash in Tenn.” Oct 2, 2013, updated Oct 3. Accessed 10-3-2013 at:

http://www.fox19.com/story/23592786/at-least-six-dead-in-fatal-bus-crash-carrying-church-group-from-statesville)

 

Oct 3: “Eight people died and 14 were injured Wednesday afternoon when a North Carolina church bus crashed into an SUV and a tractor-trailer after it blew a tire and crossed a median on Interstate 40 in eastern Tennessee, according to police and news outlets. The fatalities included six of the 18 bus passengers, the big-rig driver and one of the three people in the Chevrolet Tahoe, said Tennessee Department of Safety spokeswoman Dalya Qualls. Fourteen people were injured, with four airlifted to area hospitals and eight transported by ambulance.

 

“The crash occurred about 2 p.m. near the Interstate 81 split in Jefferson County, about 30 miles east of Knoxville, the Tennessee Highway Patrol said.  Qualls said the eastbound chartered bus veered into the westbound lanes after its left-front tire blew about 2 p.m., clipping the SUV before slamming into the tractor-trailer, which burst into flames, WBIR-TV reported.

 

“The bus carried members of the Front Street Baptist Church in Statesville, N.C., Dionne Stutts, wife of the senior pastor, told the station….

 

“Parishioners, mostly 55 and older, were returning from the 17^th annual Fall Jubilee in Gatlinburg, Tenn., a three-day gathering of gospel singers and speakers….” (USA Today (Michael Winter). “8 dead in church bus crash on I-40 in Tennessee.” 10-3-2013. Accessed 10-3-2013 at: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/10/02/fatal-tennessee-bus-crash/2910431/ )

 

Oct 3:  “The small town of Statesville, N.C., was in mourning Thursday, a day after six members of Front Street Baptist Church were killed and 12 others were injured when their bus overturned on an East Tennessee interstate….

 

“Killed on the bus were:

 

• Cloyce Matheny, 95, of Statesville.
• John Wright, 73, of Mocksville.
• Brenda Smith, 69, of Statesville.
• Randy Morrison, 66, of Statesville. Morrison was driving the bus at the time of the crash, the patrol said.
• Barbara Morrison, 66, of Statesville, the driver’s wife.
• Marsha Mclelland, 62, of Statesville.

 

“….In addition to the driver of the tractor-trailer, Trent Roberts, 24, a rear-seat passenger in the Chevrolet Tahoe struck by the bus, was also killed….

 

“The investigation will be led by state and local agencies after the National Transportation Safety Board — whose assistance was requested — said it couldn’t send any investigators because of the federal government shutdown. “All of our highway investigators are furloughed,” Sharon Bryson, deputy director of communications for the NTSB, told NBC News on Thursday….

 

“Miller [TN HWY Patrol Sgt.] said the investigation remained in the very early stages, but he was able to confirm that the bus had seatbelts. However, it may never be possible to determine whether the passengers were wearing them because the bus was so extensively damaged, he said.

 

“While the cable restraint system dividing the east- and westbound lanes of I-40 are designed to stop vehicles from crossing the median, it’s not strong enough to halt a large bus traveling at full speed, Miller said. Not even a traditional barrier system — even a concrete divider wall — could have done that, he said. “We’re talking a 40,000-pound vehicle,” he said….” (NBC News (M. Alex Johnson). “As church grieves, victims of bus crash that killed 8 in Tennessee are identified.” 10-3-2013.)

Sources

 

NBC News (M. Alex Johnson). “As church grieves, victims of bus crash that killed 8 in Tennessee are identified.” 10-3-2013. Accessed 10-3-2013 at:

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/10/03/20807050-as-church-grieves-victims-of-bus-crash-that-killed-8-in-tennessee-are-identified?lite

 

USA Today (Michael Winter). “8 dead in church bus crash on I-40 in Tennessee.” 10-3-2013. Accessed 10-3-2013 at: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/10/02/fatal-tennessee-bus-crash/2910431/

 

 

— 13  MyFoxAtlanta.com. “Navy Yard gunman had history of mental illness.” 9-16-2013.

— 13  NYT. “Gunman and 12 Victims Killed in Shooting at D.C. Navy Yard.” 9-16-2013.

— 13  Washington Metropolitan Police Dept. After Action Report. Washington Navy Yard…

 

Washington, DC Police Dept.: “On the morning of Monday, September 16, 2013, Aaron Alexis entered Building 197 at the Washington Navy Yard, where he served as an independent contractor, and carried out the most deadly workplace mass shooting in the Nation’s Capital in recent memory.

 

“Over the course of 69 minutes, Alexis terrorized thousands of employees of Naval Sea Systems Command, firing indiscriminately from a shotgun he had legally purchased two days earlier and a handgun he had taken from a security guard after mortally wounding the guard. He would also get into multiple shooting engagements with responding law enforcement officers, seriously injuring a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer. In his final confrontation with police, Alexis ambushed and fired upon another MPD officer. Fortunately, the officer was saved by his protective vest and was able to return fire, killing Alexis and ending his rampage. When it was over, Alexis had shot and killed twelve people and injured several others…” (Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department. After Action Report. Washington Navy Yard, September 16, 2013. Washington, DC: July 2014, p. 3, Executive Summary.)

 

NYT: “Washington — At least 13 people, including one gunman, were killed, and the police were looking for other potential suspects, in a shooting Monday morning at a naval office building not far from Capitol Hill and the White House, police officials said.  One police officer was in surgery after being shot in an exchange of fire with a gunman, said Chief Cathy L. Lanier of the Metropolitan Police Department. The shootings took place at the Washington Navy Yard, in the southeast part of the city.

 

“Senior law enforcement officials identified the gunman as Aaron Alexis, 34. He was identified through his fingerprints. As of Monday night, investigators were operating on the belief that Mr. Alexis acted alone, despite earlier statements from Washington law enforcement officials that there were two other gunmen.

 

“According to the Navy, Mr. Alexis enlisted as a full-time reservist in May 2007 and left the service in January 2011. He served as an aviation electrician, and the highest rank he achieved was mate third class. From February 2008 to January 2011, he was assigned to Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 46, in Fort Worth.  The Navy said that Mr. Alexis had been awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal….

 

“Three weapons were found on the gunman: an AR-15 assault rifle [not accurate], a shotgun and a semiautomatic pistol, an official said….

 

“Police officials said that at least two police officers were shot, and that three people were in critical condition….

 

“The shooting started at 8:20 a.m., the Navy said…. Hundreds of police officers and naval officers surrounded the Naval Sea Systems Command headquarters, where about 3,000 service members, civilians and contractors work on the Navy’s fleet….

 

“Investigators were trying to determine whether any of the suspected gunmen had official access to the Navy Yard. The site is protected by a high wall, with entry through checkpoints that require official identification. However, under the “force protection status” that was believed to have been in effect early Monday, someone with official access to the site could have driven a car into the parking lot without having the trunk inspected, or could have entered on foot without a bag being searched….

 

“The Navy Yard sits on the waterfront along the Anacostia River in southeast Washington, near Nationals Park, where Washington’s baseball team plays. It is also at one end of the 11th Street Bridge, one of the major thoroughfares that bring traffic into the city from Maryland….

 

“Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert, a four-star admiral, a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the chief of Naval Operations, was evacuated from his residence at the Navy Yard complex, along with his wife, shortly after the first report of shots fired, according to Navy officials.

 

“Military helicopters circled the facility as police vehicles and other emergency vehicles rushed to the Navy Yard. A helicopter lowered a basket to the roof of one of the buildings and appeared to be taking away victims.

 

“Officials at the nearby Reagan National Airport briefly stopped airplanes from taking off or landing because of the shooting, according to a spokeswoman at the airport’s media office. The stoppage began just before 10 a.m. and was lifted at 10:14 a.m., said Laurie Weaver, the spokeswoman….” (NYT. “Gunman and 12 Victims Killed in Shooting at D.C. Navy Yard.” 9-16-2013.)

Sources

 

MyFoxAtlanta.com. “Navy Yard gunman had history of mental illness.” 9-16-2013. Accessed at: http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/story/23445383/fort-worth-man-alleged-gunman-in-dc-navy-yard-shootings

 

New York Times. “Gunman and 12 Victims Killed in Shooting at D.C. Navy Yard.” 9-16-2013. Accessed 9-16-2013 at: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/17/us/shooting-reported-at-washington-navy-yard.html?pagewanted=all&_r=2&

 

Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department. After Action Report. Washington Navy Yard, September 16, 2013. Washington, DC: July 2014. Accessed 6-3-2015 at: http://apps.washingtonpost.com/g/page/local/navy-yard-shooting-dc-police-after-action-report/1170/

 

 

 

[1] Gunman with mental health issues killed twelve Navy Yard workers before being killed by police.

–10  Denver Post. “Colorado flood…recovery officer appointed; death toll rises,” 9-20-2013.

—  8  Denver Post. “Elderly woman urged neighbor to save herself from rising floodwaters.” 9-18-2013.

—  8  (Six missing) LA Times. “Number of missing after Colorado flood dwindles to 6.” 9-23-2013.[1]

—  8  NWS. Service Assessment. The Record Front Range and Eastern Colorado Floods… p. iv.

—  8  The Gazette, Colorado Springs. “Flooding. Biden (from p. 1.),” 9-24-2013, A9.[2]

—  8  Roberts. “Colorado Floods: Larimer Co. Reduces Missing List to Zero.” Westward, 9-24-2013.[3]

 

NWS: “Copious amounts of tropical moisture flowed northward from the Pacific Ocean and Gulf of Mexico into eastern Colorado on September 9–16, 2013. The combination of a slow moving upper-level system over the Great Basin region, favorable upslope easterly flow along the Front Range, and the presence of a stalled frontal system resulted in several episodes of torrential rainfall. The heaviest rain fell on the evenings of September 11–12. By week’s end, a swath of 8–17 inches of rain resulted in widespread, devastating flash flooding in the South Platte River  Basin from Denver downstream to western Nebraska and in the upper Arkansas River Basin along the upper Fountain Creek. There were eight fatalities directly attributed to the flooding…. [p. iv.] Most of these fatalities occurred during the height of flash floods on the evenings of September 11 and 12. Local authorities evacuated more than 18,000 people. Approximately 19,000 homes and commercial buildings were damaged with more than 1,500 destroyed. Authorities estimate the flooding damaged or destroyed almost 485 miles of roads and 50 bridges in the impacted counties….” [p. 1.]

 

“Table 1: Colorado flood fatalities during the September 2013 event.

 

Sex      Age     Date    Location                      Cause of Death

 

M         72        9/11     Jamestown, CO           Blunt force trauma when home caved in under 12

James Canyon             feet of rocks and mud.[4]

Boulder, County

F          19        9/11     Boulder, CO               Drowning; abandoning stranded car in floodwaters.[5]

M         19        9/11     Boulder, CO               Drowning; trying to rescue fellow car passenger.[6]

M         80        9/12     Lyons, CO                  Drowning in floodwaters —

St Vrain River             (returning to Lyons after evacuating)[7]

Boulder County

F          60        9/12     Cedar Cove, Co.         Drowning as home washed away.[8]

Big Thompson River

Larimer County

F          79        9/12     Cedar Cove, CO         Drowning and blunt force trauma while trying to

Big Thompson River  climb to higher ground (hit with water and debris).[9]

Larimer County

M         54        9/12     Fountain Creek           Drowning in floodwaters.[10]

El Paso County

M         47        9/15     Sand Creek                  Drowning in floodwaters.[11]

El Paso County

 

(NWS. Service Assessment. The Record Front Range and Eastern Colorado Floods of September 11-17, 2013. June 2014.)

 

Sep 18:  “Submerged up to her armpits in the raging Big Thompson River, 79-year-old Evelyn Starner spoke her last words. “Don’t worry about me … save yourself!” Evelyn Starner said to her elderly neighbor Joyce, who had been struggling to pull her out of the river early Saturday morning, according to Shawn Starner, 43, Evelyn’s son. It was the last anyone ever saw of Evelyn Starner. Evelyn Starner is one of eight people now presumed dead as a result of flooding the past week in Colorado….

 

“According to state officials, six people have been confirmed dead. Two others, including Evelyn Starner, are missing and presumed dead. One man, 80-year-old Jerry Boland of Lyons, is unaccounted for after driving his wife into Boulder and trying to drive back to Lyons. His truck was found empty.

“A body was found Monday on the east side of 4600 Town Center Drive in Colorado Springs. The person’s name has not been released.[12]

 

“Other known flood victims:

 

Joseph Edward Howlett, 72, of Jamestown. The former storekeeper was killed after his home was crushed in a flash flood. His body was recovered Wednesday.

 

Patty Goodwine, 60, of Cedar Cove is missing and presumed dead.

 

Wesley Quinlan and girlfriend Wiyanna Nelson, both 19, died after trying to escape a car stranded on Linden Drive in Boulder.

 

Danny Davis, 54, of Colorado Springs was found in Fountain Creek on Thursday near the 1100 block of South Nevada Avenue.

 

Carroll White, 83, of Idaho Springs, died Monday after the ground collapsed around him and he was swept away by Clear Creek. His body was recovered 3 miles downstream.”

 

(Denver Post. “Elderly woman urged neighbor to save herself from rising floodwaters.” 9-18-2013.)

 

Sep 20:  “….the number of people presumed or confirmed dead reached 10, the number of destroyed homes rose to more than 2,000 and the number of applicants for federal aid topped 10,000…. Flooding along the Front Range began Sept. 11….

 

“Three people are missing and presumed dead in Larimer County: Patty Goodwine, 60, and Evelyn Starner, 79, who were swept away in the Cedar Cove area of Big Thompson Canyon, and an unidentified 46-year-old man whose home washed away near Drake….

 

“A recovery team on Thursday found the body of the fourth person killed by flooding in Boulder County. Retired Lyons teacher and coach Gerald Boland, 80, had been missing since Sept. 12, after he and his wife tried to evacuate their home. Family members said he reached an evacuation center but went back to look for his wife, who was in a separate vehicle.  His wife was rescued from floodwaters by a front-end loader. Boland’s body was found a few hundred yards from his home.

 

“Boulder County had three previous confirmed deaths: Joseph Howlett, 72, who was killed Sept. 12 in Jamestown when his home was crushed by 12 feet of rocks and mud; and Wiyanna Nelson and Wesley Quinlan, both 19, who were swept away in the first night of flooding.

 

“There are two confirmed deaths in El Paso County: Danny Davis, 54, who was found Sept. 12 in Fountain Creek, and James Bettner, 47, was found in Sand Creek on Monday.

 

“Monday in Clear Creek County, Carroll White, 83, was swept 3 miles down Clear Creek when the bank he was standing on collapsed.” (Denver Post (Ryan Parker). “Colorado flood: Chief recovery officer appointed; death toll rises,” 9-20-2013.)

 

Sources

 

Associated Press, Colorado Springs. “Local Victim Found in Colorado Springs Identified.” CBS Denver, 9-20-2013. Accessed 6-4-2015 at: http://denver.cbslocal.com/2013/09/20/flood-victim-found-in-colorado-springs-identified/

 

Denver Post (Colleen O’Connor). “Carroll White: ‘We all miss him.’” 9-11-2014. Accessed 6-4-2015 at: http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_26509204/carroll-white-we-all-miss-him

 

Denver Post (Ryan Parker). “Colorado flood: Chief recovery officer appointed; death toll rises,” 9-20-2013. Accessed 9-23-2013 at:

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_24136597/colorado-flood-chief-recovery-officer-appointed-death-toll

 

Denver Post. “Elderly woman urged neighbor to save herself from rising floodwaters.” 9-18-2013. Accessed 10-2-2013 at: http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_24125377/elderly-woman-urged-neighbor-save-herself-from-rising

 

Find A Grave. “Carroll T. ‘C.T.’ White.” Record created by Gigi M. Jackson and added 9-21-2013. Accessed 6-4-2015 at: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=117416929

 

Los Angeles Times (Matt Pearce). “Number of missing after Colorado flood dwindles to 6.” 9-23-2013. Accessed 6-3-2015 at: http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-colorado-floods-missing-20130923-story.html

 

National Weather Service. Service Assessment. The Record Front Range and Eastern Colorado Floods of September 11-17, 2013. Silver Spring, MD: NWS, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, June 2014, 74 pages. Accessed 6-4-2015 at: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/assessments/pdfs/14colorado_floods.pdf

 

Roberts, Michael. “Colorado Floods: Larimer County Reduces Missing List to Zero.” Westward, 9-24-2013. Accessed 6-4-2015 at: http://www.westword.com/news/colorado-floods-larimer-county-reduces-missing-list-to-zero-5832067

 

 

 

 

[1] “Of the 1,200 people unaccounted for after historic floods deluged Colorado this month, only six remained missing as of Monday….On Monday [Sep 23]….Officials…announced that they had recovered the body of the disaster’s eighth confirmed victim, a 79-year-old woman, according to the Associated Press.”

[2] Writes, though, six still missing.

[3] Cites the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, which the day before had released the names of six missing people. Subsequently all six were located alive.

[4] Appears, from other sources, to refer to Joseph Edward Howlett.

[5] Appears, from other sources, to refer to Wiyanna Nelson. She and boyfriend (Quinlan) were on Linden Drive.

[6] Appears, from other sources, to refer to Wesley Quinlan.

[7] Appears, from other sources, to refer to Jerry Boland.

[8] Appears, from other sources, to refer to Patty Goodwine.

[9] Appears, from other sources, to refer to Evelyn Starner.

[10] Appears, from other sources, to refer to Danny Davis, whose body was found in Fountain Creek on Sep 12.

[11] Appears, from other sources, to refer to James Bettner, whose death was ruled an accidental drowning. (AP, Colorado Springs. “Local Victim Found in Colorado Springs Identified.” CBS Denver, 9-20-2013.)

[12] Appears, from other sources, to refer to James Bettner.

— 6  Badger. “Catastrophic Multiple-Death Fires in 2014.” NFPA Journal, Sep/Oct 2015, p. 73.

— 6  NBC News. “Six Die in Mobile Home Fire in North Carolina.” 8-30-2014.

 

Narrative Information

 

Badger/NFPA: “North Carolina…August, 1:07 a.m., six [deaths]…a one-story, 840-square-foot (78-square-meter) manufactured home of unprotected wood-frame construction…There were no smoke alarms or automatic suppression equipment present…Due to the destruction of the home, no cause or origin could be determined.”

 

NBC News: “Six people died when a fire ripped through their mobile home early Saturday in North Carolina, police said… the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that the fire broke out at 1 a.m. ET just outside Garland, a small town of just over 800 people about 35 miles southeast of Fayetteville. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and no foul play is suspected, authorities said… Neighbors told the station that by the time they awoke and realized something was wrong, the fast-moving fire had already completely engulfed the mobile home.”

Sources

 

Badger, Stephen G. “Catastrophic Multiple-Death Fires in 2014.” NFPA [National Fire Protection Association] Journal, Sep/Oct 2015, p. 73.

 

NBC News. “Six Die in Mobile Home Fire in North Carolina.” 8-30-2014. Accessed 10-2-2016 at: http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/six-die-mobile-home-fire-north-carolina-n192511

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

— 10  NTSB. Fiscal Year 2016 Budget Request. 2-2-2015 letter of transmittal date, p. 60.

— 10  NBC News (Rafferty/Austin). “‘State of Shock’ 10 killed in Alaska plane crash.” 7-8-2013.

— 10  USA Today. “NTSB: 10 killed in Alaska plane Crash.” 7-8-2013.[1]

 

NTSB: “Soldotna, AK…07/06/2013[2]…Rediske Air DHC-3 crashed on takeoff from Soldotna Airport…10 [Fatalities column]. (National Transportation Safety Board. Fiscal Year 2016 Budget Request. Washington, DC: NTSB, 2-2-2015 letter of transmittal date.)

 

July 8, NBC News:  “Ten people were killed Sunday [July 7] when their plane was “engulfed in flames” at the Soldotna Airport in Alaska.  Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board were still trying to determine what caused the DHC-3T single propeller aircraft, owned by Rediske Air, to crash.  The pilot and co-owner of the company, Walter Rediske, 42, was described as “highly experienced” by a spokesman….

 

“The Soldotna Police Department said the accident took place around 11:20 a.m. (3:20 p.m. ET), and emergency responders arrived to find the aircraft engulfed in flames. “We saw the plume immediately when we left the station,” Capt. Lesley Quelland of Central Emergency Services, told the Anchorage Daily News, adding that the big black cloud was visible from the station at least three miles away.

 

“Harcombe [family friend] said the air charter company only flew in Alaska landing at both airports and more remote locations across the state.  The company, formed in April 1991 is registered to Walter and Lyla Rediske….”  (NBC News (Andrew Rafferty and Henry Austin).  “‘State of Shock’” 10 killed in Alaska plane crash.” 7-8-2013.)

 

July 8, USA Today:  “Anchorage, Alaska (AP) — An air taxi crashed Sunday at a small Alaska airport, killing all 10 people on board and leaving the aircraft fully engulfed in flames before firefighters could get to it, authorities said.  The de Havilland DHC3 Otter air taxi crashed just after 11 a.m. at the airport in Soldotna, a community about 75 miles southwest of Anchorage and located on the Kenai Peninsula.  “We do have 10 fatalities, unfortunately, nine passengers, one pilot,” National Transportation Safety Board investigator Clint Johnson told The Associated Press.

 

“The Federal Aviation Administration said the Otter was operated by Rediske Air, based out of another Kenai Peninsula community, Nikiski.

 

“Will Satathite, who was working Sunday at Rediske Air’s Nikiski office, confirmed to the Peninsula Clarion newspaper that the aircraft was flown by Nikiski pilot and company owner Willy Rediske with nine passengers onboard.

 

“A man who didn’t identify himself at the Rediske office declined comment later Sunday to the AP, saying the crash was under investigation.

 

“Alaska State Troopers spokeswoman Meagan Peters said a fire that consumed the aircraft initially kept firefighters from reaching the wreckage. The victims have not been identified.  The Soldotna Police Department said Sunday evening that the remains of all 10 people have been recovered and sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Anchorage for autopsies and positive identifications.

 

“Police said in a release through the Alaska State Troopers that weather at the time of the crash was reported to be cloudy with a light wind.

 

“Johnson said initial reports have the plane crashing after departure, but that will have to be confirmed by investigators.

 

“The NTSB is sending an investigative team from Washington, D.C., and they are scheduled to arrive Monday afternoon….

 

“For many Alaskans, flying across the state is common because of the limited road system, exposing residents to a litany of hazards including treacherous mountain passes and volatile weather. It’s possible to drive from Anchorage to Soldotna, but it’s about a four-hour trip as the highway hugs Turnagain Arm and then cuts through a mountain passage.

 

“Soldotna was founded in 1947 by World War II veterans, who were given 90-day preference for homesteading rights in 1947, according to a state website. The city, now with a population of about 4,300, is on the banks of the Kenai River, and the area is busy this time of the year with people fishing for salmon.

 

“Alaska has already seen a several plane crashes this year, including a June 28 crash that killed a pilot and two passengers on a commercial tour in the Alaska Range.

 

“In another crash Saturday, two men had to swim to shore after their plane crashed in the waters off Kodiak Island. The small plane crashed after its engine sputtered out, and the men swam about 50 yards, the Kodiak Daily Mirror reported.

 

“The Soldotna crash also comes a day after two teenagers were killed when the Asiana flight crashed at San Francisco’s airport.

 

“The municipal airport is located about a mile from Soldotna’s commercial business area and is adjacent to the Kenai River, according to the city’s website.  The runway is 5,000 foot long and paved.”  (USA Today. “NTSB: 10 killed in Alaska plane Crash.” 7-8-2013.)

 

Sources

 

National Transportation Safety Board. Fiscal Year 2016 Budget Request. Washington, DC: NTSB, 2-2-2015 letter of transmittal date. Accessed 6-3-2015 at: http://www.ntsb.gov/about/Documents/FY2016_BudgetRequest.pdf

 

NBC News (Andrew Rafferty and Henry Austin). “‘State of Shock’ 10 killed in Alaska plane crash.” 7-8-2013. Accessed 7-8-2013 at: http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/07/08/19350386-state-of-shock-10-killed-in-alaska-plane-crash

 

USA Today. “NTSB: 10 killed in Alaska plane Crash.” 7-8-2013. Accessed 7-8-2013 at: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/07/07/alaska-plane-crash/2497593/

 

 

[1] From Table entitled: “Ongoing Major Aviation Accident and Incident Investigations as of September 30, 2014.”

[2] Actually 7-7-2013.

–19  ADOSH. ICA Commission Agenda December 4, 2013. Fatality…AZ State Forestry Div.

–19  Arizona State Forestry Division. Yarnell Hill Fire June 30, 2013 Serious AIR. 9-23-2013.

–19  CNN. “Governor calls loss of 19 firefighters in state’s deadliest blaze ‘unbearable’.” 7-1-13

–19  NBC News. “‘For now, we mourn’: Few answers…19 killed in Arizona wildfire.” 7-1-2013

 

July 1: “(CNN) — They were part of an elite squad confronting wildfires on the front line, setting up barriers to stop the spreading destruction. But in their unpredictable world, it doesn’t take much to turn a situation deadly.  In this case, a wind shift and other factors caused a central Arizona fire, which now spans almost 9,000 acres, to become erratic, said Mike Reichling, Arizona State Forestry Division spokesman.

 

“The inferno proved too much, even for the shelters the 19 firefighters carried as a last-ditch survival tool.  “The fuels were very dry, the relative humidity was low, the wind was coming out of the south. It turned around on us because of monsoon action,” Reichling told CNN affiliate KNXV. “That’s what caused the deaths.

 

“The firefighters were killed Sunday while fighting the Yarnell Hill fire, northwest of Phoenix. Among the dead was Eric Marsh, superintendent of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, according to his father, John Marsh….

 

“The wildfire, which is considered the deadliest in state history, is not contained at all, according to [Gov] Brewer’s office and other authorities. About 400 ground personnel and 100 incident-management staff are working to control it….

 

“It was the deadliest day for firefighters since the 9/11 attacks. And it is the deadliest wildland fire since 1933, according to a list from the U.S. National Wildfire Coordinating Group. Twenty-five firefighters died when a blaze burned in light chaparral near Griffith Park, California.

 

“”Our entire crew was lost,” Prescott Fire Chief Dan Fraijo told reporters Sunday night. “We just lost 19 of some of the finest people you’ll ever meet. Right now, we’re in crisis.” The tragedy killed about 20% of the Prescott Fire Department. Fraijo said one member of the team was not with the other crew members and survived.

 

“Authorities have information that during the blaze, the firefighters deployed their fire shelters, a sort of aluminum blanket that protects against the flames and heat. The shelters must be timed well. Set it up too soon, and the heat inside the shelter can become suffocating. Deploy it too late, and the fire is already on top of you. Wearing gloves, a firefighter will lay on the ground under the shelter, the ground being the only thing keeping the firefighter cool. The shelter will block 100% of the heat from flames and hot gases and 95% of the radiant heat from the flames themselves.

 

“Authorities believe lightning sparked the Yarnell Hill fire on Friday. By Sunday night, it had scorched more than 6,000 acres and destroyed more than 100 structures, Reichling said…. The wildfire also forced evacuations in Peeples Valley and Yarnell, but no civilian injuries were reported….

 

“The blaze hadn’t touched Prescott yet. But like many other fire departments across the state, the Prescott team jumped in to help. “A hotshot crew are the elite firefighters,” state forestry spokesman Art Morrison said. “They’re usually (a) 20-person crew, and they’re the ones who actually go in and dig the fire line, cut the brush to make a fuel break. And so they would be as close to the fire as they felt they safely could.” “In normal circumstances, when you’re digging fire line, you make sure you have a good escape route, and you have a safety zone set up,” Morrison said. “Evidently, their safety zone wasn’t big enough, and the fire just overtook them.”

 

“Fraijo, the fire chief, said he did not know the exact circumstances surrounding the firefighters’ deaths and wouldn’t speculate on a cause. But he said drought conditions, combined with winds that whipped unpredictably, have made battling the flames especially difficult….

 

“Before the 19 deaths in Arizona, 43 firefighters had been killed so far in 2013, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. A total of 83 firefighters died last year while on duty.”  (CNN (Holly Yan and Eliott C. McLaughlin).  “Governor calls loss of 19 firefighters in state’s deadliest blaze ‘unbearable’.” 7-1-2013.)

Sources

 

Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health. ICA Commission Agenda December 4, 2013. Fatality/Accident L3419-317242683 Arizona State Forestry Division. Accessed 12-14-2013 at: http://cryptome.org/2013/12/yarnell-hill-fire-13-1204.pdf

 

Arizona State Forestry Division. Yarnell Hill Fire June 30, 2013 Serious Accident Investigation Report. Phoenix, AZ: Office of the State Forester, 9-23-2013. Accessed at: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B36DIycSgbzWSUtjNkl1Z2ROT0k/edit?pli=1#

 

CNN (Holly Yan and Eliott C. McLaughlin).  “Governor calls loss of 19 firefighters in state’s deadliest blaze ‘unbearable’.” 7-1-2013. Accessed 7-1-2013 at: http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/01/us/arizona-firefighter-deaths

 

NBC News (Erin McClam and Ian Johnston) “‘For now, we mourn’: Few answers after 19 killed in Arizona wildfire.” 7-1-2013. Accessed 7-1-2013 at: http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/07/01/19224279-for-now-we-mourn-few-answers-after-19-killed-in-arizona-wildfire?lite&GT1=43001

 

 

–20  AP. “Okla. Death toll rises to 20 after tornado, floods.” Miami Herald, FL. 6-5-2013.

–20  KJRH2, Tulsa. “Oklahoma tornado update: 20 confirmed dead in May 31…” 6-4-2013.

–19  AP. “Death toll reaches 19…Oklahoma tornadoes, flooding; 6 children…13 adults.” 6-4-13

–19  Reuters (O’Brien). “Oklahoma tornado was widest ever measured in U.S.–NWS.” 6-4-2013

–18  Fox News. “Death toll climbs to 18 in Oklahoma tornado outbreak.” 6-3-2013.

–14  Los Angeles Times. “Death toll from Friday’s Oklahoma tornado rises to 14.” 6-3-2013.

–14  NBC News. “As severe storm system finally passes East Coast, 17 dead left….” 6-3-2013.

–13  Fox News. “Star of Discovery’s ‘Storm Chasers’…among dead in [OK] tornado.” 6-2-2013

–13  NBC News. “Oklahoma tornado deaths include three veteran storm chasers.” 6-2-2013.

–13  Reuters. “Three storm chasers among 13 killed by Oklahoma tornadoes.” 6-2-2013.

–10  WYMT TV57, Hazard, KY. “Death toll from Oklahoma tornado rises to 10.” 6-2-2013.

 

June 1, Reuters:  “Nine people were killed in tornadoes that swept through central Oklahoma on Friday, part of a storm system that caused widespread flooding in Oklahoma City and its suburbs, the state’s chief medical examiner said on Saturday.  The dead included two children and seven adults, said Amy Elliott, a spokeswoman for the medical examiner’s office. The tornadoes struck just 11 days after a twister ranked as EF5, the most powerful ranking, tore through the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore and killed 24 people.

 

“The latest storms dumped up to 8 inches of rain on the Oklahoma City area, causing flash flooding that submerged parts of the sprawling metropolitan area that is home to more than 1.3 million people. Nearly two dozen people were rescued from areas cut off by rising water, the National Weather Service said.

 

“More than 70 people were treated for storm-related injuries, Oklahoma hospital officials said.  Severe storms also hit neighboring Missouri, where Governor Jay Nixon declared a state of emergency on Friday, and were forecast to move into Illinois on Saturday.  The devastation was caused by large, long-lasting thunderstorms known as supercells, which produce the strongest tornadoes, along with large hail.

 

“Forecasters believe at least five tornadoes touched down in central Oklahoma, which survey teams were trying to verify, meteorologist Rick Smith said from the National Weather Service office in Norman, Oklahoma.  “Some of these tornadoes were wrapped in rain and they were difficult to see,” Smith said.

Victims Were on the Roads

 

“The tornadoes hit during the Friday evening rush hour and many of those hurt or killed were on the roadways.  Among the dead were a woman and her baby who were traveling on Interstate 40, just west of Oklahoma City, when their vehicle was picked up by the storm and they were sucked out of it, said Betsy Randolph, spokeswoman for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.  One tornado rampaged down the interstate, tipping over trucks and hurling hay bales, a witness said. Television images showed downed power lines, tossed cars and motorists stranded in flood water.  “For reasons that are not clear to me, more people took to the roads, more than we expected. Everyone acted differently in this storm, and as a result, it created an extremely dangerous situation,” said Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett….” (Reuters (Heide Brandes). “Death toll rises to nine from Oklahoma tornadoes.” 6-1-2013.)

 

June 2:  “El Reno, Okla. (AP) — Authorities say the death toll from Friday night’s tornado in the Oklahoma City metro area has risen to 10.  Spokeswoman Amy Elliott said the state medical examiner’s office received another body Saturday evening, increasing the death toll by one.  Eight adults and two children died from the Friday tornado, which charged down a clogged Interstate 40 in the western suburbs of Oklahoma City.” (WYMT TV57, Hazard, KY. “Death toll from Oklahoma tornado rises to 10.” 6-2-2013.)

 

June 2:  “Three professional “storm chasers” were among the 13 people who died in the tornadoes that ripped through the Oklahoma City area Friday, the research project they ran confirmed Sunday. Tim Samaras, 55, founder of the tornado research project, called Twistex, based in Lakewood, Colo.; his son Paul, 24; and their chase partner, Carl Young, 45, all died after they were overtaken by a multiple-vortex tornado that sharply changed direction near El Reno, Okla., The Weather Channel first reported….” (NBC News (M. Alex Johnson). “Oklahoma tornado deaths include three veteran storm chasers.” 6-2-2013.)

 

June 2:  “Three storm chasers were among 13 people killed by tornadoes that rampaged through central Oklahoma on Friday, underscoring the high risk of tracking tornadoes and forcing the media to rethink how they cover deadly twisters….

 

“Five tornadoes touched down in central Oklahoma and caused flash flooding just 11 days after a twister categorized as EF5, the most powerful ranking, tore up the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore and killed 24 people. Severe storms also swept into neighboring Missouri, while Moore experienced only limited damage.

 

“The Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner on Sunday raised the death toll to 13 after listing 10 fatalities earlier. The toll included four children.

 

“On Sunday, authorities in neighboring Missouri confirmed at least three other deaths in flooding triggered by the violent storms on Friday….” (Reuters (Trotta and Allen). “Three storm chasers among 13 killed by Oklahoma tornadoes.” 6-2-2013.)

 

June 3:  “Ferocious storms that battered Oklahoma and Missouri, killing 17 over the weekend, lurched eastward Monday, lashing New England and the mid-Atlantic region with harsh winds and heavy rainfall before moving out to sea.

 

“At least 14 people — including nine adults, three of them storm chasers, and five children — were killed after five twisters attacked the Oklahoma City area Friday evening, terrorizing communities already bludgeoned by lethal storms this spring.  Authorities were still searching Monday for five missing people – including three children – from areas around the Oklahoma River, according to Oklahoma City Fire Department Deputy Chief Marc Woodard.

 

“Hospitals in Oklahoma City reported 115 injuries, officials at the Oklahoma State Department of Health said late Sunday, although that number may have increased Monday as officials began to reckon with the devastation wrought by Friday’s swarm of storms….” (NBC News (Daniel Arkin). “As severe storm system finally passes East Coast, 17 dead left in wake.” 6-3-2013.)

 

June 3:  “The death toll climbed to 18 Monday as search crews recovered more bodies after an outbreak of tornadoes tore through the Oklahoma City area on May 31. Among the victims are six children and twelve adults, including three veteran storm chasers.” (Fox News. “Death toll climbs to 18 in Oklahoma tornado outbreak.” 6-3-2013.)

 

June 4: “Oklahoma City — The Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Office has added another person to the death toll from Friday’s tornadoes and floods, bringing the total to 19. The agency didn’t name the additional victim in its Tuesday announcement but said the victim was an adult. Storms that swept through the Oklahoma City area on Friday generated an EF5 tornado and violent flash floods. A news release from Medical Examiner’s spokeswoman Amy Elliott didn’t indicate whether the latest body was found in an area affected flooding or where tornadoes struck. She also didn’t indicate a cause of death. It was unclear from the release whether the person was among the known missing.” (Assoc. Press. “Death toll reaches 19 from Oklahoma tornadoes, flooding; 6 children and 13 adults.” 6-4-2013.)

 

June 4:  “Luck was on the side of El Reno, Oklahoma, on Friday as the widest tornado ever measured in the U.S. took a long detour around the city, according to the National Weather Service, which released its findings on the massive twister on Tuesday. The rare EF5 tornado, 2.6 miles wide and with wind speeds reaching 295 mph, touched down southwest of El Reno at 6:03 p.m., making a semicircle for 40 minutes around the city of 17,200 people, the National Weather Service said….

 

“The storms and flash flooding that followed on Friday and Saturday claimed the lives of at least 19 people, including three storm chasers, according to the Oklahoma chief medical examiner.

 

“It followed another EF5 tornado on May 20 that flattened whole sections of the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore and killed 24 people. The weather service said it was the first time in Oklahoma history that two such powerful tornadoes struck within such a short period of time.

 

“The storms over most of central Oklahoma on Friday created what Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin called a “nightmare” situation of cars clogging the highways. She said some people got in their cars because they were fearful of a repeat of the devastating Moore tornado…. Fallin said some people were killed because they were sucked from cars or the cars were tossed from the road. A few people remain missing but Fallin said she was not certain of the exact number.

 

“The El Reno tornado reached its maximum width and intensity in a rural area, where few structures stand, southeast of El Reno, Speheger said[2]. The twister diminished 16.2 miles from where it began along Interstate 40, between El Reno and Oklahoma City, the weather service reported….

 

“The National Weather Service has confirmed five tornadoes touched down on Friday night in the Oklahoma City area. Speheger said the service will be confirming more twisters as meteorologists are able to document and investigate reported tornadoes.

 

“The medical examiner has confirmed at least two of the fatalities were drownings. Seven family members, including four children, from Guatemala perished when flood waters swept them away as they hid in a storm drain, according to Oklahoma City Deputy Fire Chief Marc Woodard. The medical examiner is yet to release the cause of death for seven of the 19 deceased.”  (Reuters (Brendan O’Brien). “Oklahoma tornado was widest ever measured in U.S.–NWS.” 6-4-2013.)

 

June 4: “El Reno, Okla.–A child has been added to the list of those killed in Friday’s devastating tornadoes, bringing the death toll to 20, a spokeswoman with the Medical Examiner’s Office said Wednesday.

 

“Tuesday, the National Weather Service called the tornado that tore through El Reno the widest ever recorded. The NWS also upgraded its initial EF-3 rating to an EF-5, with winds nearly 300 miles per hour.  According to the NWS, the tornado was at least 2.6 miles wide — twice the width of the EF-5 that hit Moore May 20.  It traveled 16.2 miles and was on the ground for about 40 minutes….

“One of the youngest victims was identified Tuesday, according to the state medical examiner. One-year-old Rey Pol died of multiple blunt force trauma to the head when the storm passed through Oklahoma City, according to information released by Amy Elliot, chief administrative officer for the Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Office.

“Seven of the victims are children, 13 adults. The following have been identified:

William Rose O’Neal, 67
Timothy Samaras, 55
Carl Richard Young, 45
Richard Henderson, 35
Maria Pol Martin, 26
Rey Chicoj Pol, 1
Cory Don Johnson, 3
Dustin Heath Bridges, 32
Paul Samaras, 24
James Talbert, 65
Brandie Kay Perry, 40
Dorenia Hamilton, 79
Timothy Shrum, 21

 

“….Seven victims have yet to be identified.”  (KJRH2, Tulsa (Jessica Remer and Tyler Dunn). “Oklahoma tornado update: 20 confirmed dead in May 31 tornadoes, child found.” 6-4-2013/)

 

June 5: “Oklahoma City — The Oklahoma medical examiner’s office says the death toll from tornadoes and subsequent flooding late last week has reached 20.  The agency said Wednesday that the additional victim was a girl who died in Oklahoma City. It didn’t provide her name…. Nine of the 20 victims died from blunt force injuries typical from flying debris in tornadoes. The cause of death for two of the victims is listed as drowning.” (Associated Press. “Okla. Death toll rises to 20 after tornado, floods.” Miami Herald, FL. 6-5-2013.)

 

Sources

 

Associated Press. “Death toll reaches 19 from Oklahoma tornadoes, flooding; 6 children and 13 adults.” 6-4-2013. Accessed 6-4-2013 at: http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/8e5d2833afed45c2b317cb8e001eb890/OK–Oklahoma-Tornado-Fatalities

 

Associated Press. “Okla. Death toll rises to 20 after tornado, floods.” Miami Herald, FL. 6-5-2013. Accessed 6-5-2013: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/06/05/3434779/okla-death-toll-rises-to-20-after.html

 

Fox News. “At least nine dead after deadly tornadoes hit Oklahoma City region.” 6-1-2013. At: http://www.foxnews.com/weather/2013/06/01/unstable-air-mass-prompts-tornado-watch-in-central-northeast-oklahoma/

 

Fox News. “Death toll climbs to 18 in Oklahoma tornado outbreak.” 6-3-2013. Accessed 6-4-2013: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/06/03/death-toll-climbs-to-18-in-oklahoma-tornado-outbreak/?test=latestnews

 

Fox News. “Star of Discovery’s ‘Storm Chasers’ show among dead in Oklahoma tornado.” 6-2-2013. Accessed 6-2-2013 at: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/06/02/star-discovery-storm-chasers-show-among-dead-in-oklahoma-tornado-1449817980/

 

KJRH2, Tulsa. “Oklahoma tornado update: 20 confirmed dead in May 31 tornadoes, child found.” 6-4-2013. Accessed 6-5-2013: http://www.kjrh.com/dpp/news/local_news/oklahoma-tornado-update-death-toll-stands-at-18-after-friday-storms-near-okc–6-still-missing

 

Los Angeles Times. “Death toll from Friday’s Oklahoma tornado rises to 14.” 6-3-2013. At: http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-deadly-oklahoma-tornado-20130603,0,4984155.story

 

NBC News (Daniel Arkin). “As severe storm system finally passes East Coast, 17 dead left in wake.” 6-3-2013. Accessed at:

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/06/03/18726949-as-severe-storm-system-finally-passes-east-coast-17-dead-left-in-wake?lite

 

NBC News (M. Alex Johnson). “Oklahoma tornado deaths include three veteran storm chasers.” 6-2-2013. Accessed 6-2-2013: http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/06/02/18702550-oklahoma-tornado-deaths-include-three-veteran-storm-chasers

 

Reuters (Heide Brandes). “Death toll rises to nine from Oklahoma tornadoes.” 6-1-2013. At: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/01/us-usa-tornadoes-idUSBRE94T10N20130601

 

Reuters (Brendan O’Brien). “Oklahoma tornado was widest ever measured in U.S.–NWS.” 6-4-2013. Accessed 6-4-2013 at: http://news.yahoo.com/oklahoma-tornado-widest-ever-measured-u-nws-230129152.html

 

Reuters (Daniel Trotta and Jonathan Allen). “Three storm chasers among 13 killed by Oklahoma tornadoes.” 6-2-2013. Accessed 6-2-2013 at: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/02/us-usa-tornadoes-idUSBRE94T10N20130602

 

WYMT TV57, Hazard, KY. “Death toll from Oklahoma tornado rises to 10.” 6-2-2013. Accessed 6-2-2013 at: http://www.wkyt.com/wymt/home/headlines/Death-toll-from-Oklahoma-tornado-rises-to-10-209869091.html

[1] Two of the deaths were confirmed as drownings amongst group seeking safety in a storm drain. Not in this total are three flooding deaths in Missouri.

[2] National Weather Service meteorologist.

— 25  Baker, Kelly. Oklahoma State Department of Health. CDC Webinar, 3-11-2014.[1]

— 25  News9.com. “Victims Remembered 6 Months After May 20 Tornado.” 11-20-2013.

— 24  Chicago Tribune. “Oklahoma City tornado: Death toll lowered as crews…” 5-21-2013.

— 24  Christian Science Monitor. “Oklahoma tornado’s aftermath: How safe…” 5-21-2013.

— 24  Mellor, Richard. “Moore Oklahoma school deaths could have been avoided…” 5-22-2013.

— 24  NWS WFO, Norman, OK. The Tornado Outbreak of May 20, 2013. 5-6-2014 modification

 

Mellor:  “The death toll in Moore, Oklahoma after a tornado battered the town for 45 minutes stands at 24, ten of them children, more than 240 have been injured according to reports in the media. Seven of the children were killed when the tornado tore through the Plaza Towers School destroying it completely.  According to the National Weather Service, the tornado had winds of 200 miles an hour, was about 17 miles long and 1.3 miles wide.

 

“As we always remind people when the big business press talks about money shortages for this or that social investment, it is important to reject that argument as there’s lots of money, it’s simply a question of allocation.

 

“So once again, the deaths in this instance are largely market induced, they were far from inevitable.  Some building and homes have underground shelters or “safe rooms”, rooms built of reinforced concrete in which residents can take cover when these storms hit. These safe rooms cost a few thousand dollars apparently.

 

“Many schools have them as well.  The Plaza Towers School didn’t have an underground shelter and Oklahoma state law doesn’t require schools to have above ground shelters despite this area being a tornado prone area.  There are about 100 schools in the state do have safe rooms built with federal funds.  But that money “has dried up” the Wall Street Journal reports and many of the schools are now on a waiting list.  Plaza Towers won’t have to wait, as it no longer exists.

 

““The people of Moore should know that their country will remain on the ground there for them, beside them as long as it takes for their homes and schools to rebuild,”, president Obama said today.  But this is typical after the fact.  The same with the West, Texas explosion, workers killed by the explosion on the deep water rig in the Gulf of Mexico and other disasters that inflict more damage and destruction than they should due to the attacks on public spending and the way capital is allocated in society and the priorities as determined by the politicians in the two Wall Street parties.  As I wrote before, OSHA shows up after workers die.

 

“Glenn Lewis, Moore’s mayor said he would propose an ordinance requiring a reinforced shelter to be built in every new home which will also save lives in the future and assumes the bill will pass easily.  But we need to instill firmly in our minds the understanding that certainly the human deaths and most likely structural destruction in these disasters are greatly increased by the priorities of capital.  We do not control the allocation of capital in society otherwise we wouldn’t be spending a few trillion dollars on foreign wars and other expenditures aimed at protecting the rights and bank accounts of the 1%.

 

“There are many instances where measures taken that would improve the quality of our lives, communities and our safety, regulations and government oversight for example, are squelched by politicians in the pay of lobbyists representing the 1%. Mustn’t cut in to profit taking.

 

“A simple thing like a safe room would have saved the lives of six Oklahoma children at least.  But the money’s “dried up” it’s called Austerity.”  (Mellor, Richard. “Moore Oklahoma school deaths could have been avoided with proper safety measures.”  5-22-2013. Accessed 5-31-2013 at: Facts For Working People.)

 

NWS: “A tornado outbreak occurred during the afternoon and evening hours of the May 20, 2013, and was the last day of a three-day stretch of significant severe weather from May 18-20. This event also produced the most deadly and devastating tornado of the year for Oklahoma and the United States.

 

“Several supercell thunderstorms developed during early afternoon of May 20th along a dryline in central Oklahoma. One of these storms developed near Chickasha and rapidly intensified, producing a tornado which touched down at 2:56 PM CDT on the west side of Newcastle. The tornado became violent within minutes, then tracked east-northeastward across the city of Moore and parts of south Oklahoma City for about 40 minutes before finally dissipating near Lake Stanley Draper. The tornado caused catastrophic damage in these areas, and was given a maximum rating of EF-5. The tornado claimed 24 lives, injured scores of people, and caused billions of dollars in damage.

 

“Several other tornadoes also occurred in Stephens and Lincoln Counties during the afternoon of May 20. In addition to the tornadoes, large hail and damaging winds caused damage in many areas….” (NWS Weather Forecast Office, Norman, OK. The Tornado Outbreak of May 20, 2013. 5-6-2014 mod.)

Newspapers:

 

May 21:  “….Officials in Oklahoma City said on Tuesday that 24 bodies were recovered after a 2-mile wide tornado tore through Moore, a sharp decline from the 51 deaths they previously reported. “We have got good news. The number right now is 24,” said Amy Elliott, chief administrative officer at the Oklahoma City Medical Examiner’s Office. The prior figure of 51 dead may have included some double-reported casualties, Elliott said…. In addition to the fatalities, at least 60 of the 240 people injured were children, area hospitals said.  “The whole city looks like a debris field,” Glenn Lewis, the mayor of Moore, told NBC.

 

“The National Weather Service assigned the twister a preliminary ranking of EF4 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, meaning the second most powerful category of tornado with winds up to 200 mph….

 

“Firefighters from more than a dozen fire departments worked all night under bright spotlights trying to find survivors at Plaza Towers Elementary School, which took a direct hit. Rescuers were sent from other states to join the search….

 

“Another elementary school, homes and a hospital were among the buildings leveled in Moore, leaving residents of the town of about 55,000 people 11 miles south of Oklahoma City stunned at the devastation and loss of life. Many residents were left without power and water.

 

“The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center warned the town 16 minutes before the tornado touched down at 3:01 p.m., which is greater than the average eight to 10 minutes of warning, said Keli Pirtle, a spokeswoman for the center in Norman, Oklahoma. The notice was upgraded to emergency warning with “heightened language” at 2:56 p.m., or five minutes before the tornado touched down, Pirtle said….

 

“Briarwood Elementary School, which also stood in the storm’s path, was all but destroyed. On the first floor, sections of walls had been peeled away, giving clear views into the building; while in other areas, cars hurled by the storm winds were lodged in the walls.”   (Chicago Tribune. “Oklahoma City tornado: Death toll lowered as crews search for survivors.” 5-21-2013.)

 

May 21: “(CNN) — Dozens of people — including several children — were killed when a massive tornado struck an area outside Oklahoma City on Monday afternoon, officials said.

 

“At least seven of those children were killed at Plaza Towers Elementary School in Moore, Oklahoma, according to a police official. Emergency personnel on Tuesday continued to scour the school’s rubble — a scene of twisted I-beams and crumbled cinder blocks.

 

“The tornado was estimated to be at least two miles wide at one point as it moved through Moore, in the southern part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, KFOR reported. The preliminary rating of the tornado was at least EF4 (166 to 200 mph), the National Weather Service said.”  (CNN (Sterling, Joe). “Oklahoma City tornado.” May 21, 2013.)

 

Nov 20: “Moore, Oklahoma — Six months after a tornado roared across Moore and south Oklahoma City, survivors plan to mark the sad milestone and remember the 25 people killed. The EF5 tornado began its destructive path just before 3 p.m. It destroyed both Briarwood and Plaza Towers elementary schools, and significantly damaged Highlands East Junior High…..

 

“Seven children were killed in Plaza Towers….” (News9.com, Oklahoma City. “Victims Remembered 6 Months After May 20 Tornado.” 11-20-2013.)

 

Sources

 

Baker, Kelly, MPH (Director, Center for Health Statistics, Oklahoma State Department of Health). “Using Electronic Death Registration Systems (ERDS) to Conduct ‘Real-Time’ Disaster Mortality Surveillance” (Webinar). Sponsored by International Society for Disaster Surveillance. 3-11-2014.

 

Chicago Tribune. “Oklahoma City tornado: Death toll lowered as crews search for survivors.” 5-21-2013. Accessed 5-21-2013 at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-oklahoma-city-tornado-20130520,0,7920720.story

 

Christian Science Monitor (Amanda Paulson). “Oklahoma tornado’s aftermath: How safe were schools in Moore?” 5-21-2013. Accessed 5-22-2013 at: http://news.yahoo.com/oklahoma-tornados-aftermath-safe-were-schools-moore-213400287.html

 

Mellor, Richard. “Moore Oklahoma school deaths could have been avoided with proper safety measures.” Facts For Working People. 5-22-2013. Accessed 5-31-2013 at: http://weknowwhatsup.blogspot.com/2013/05/moore-oklahoma-school-deaths-could-have.html

 

National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, Norman, OK. The Tornado Outbreak of May 20, 2013. 5-6-2014 modification. Accessed 6-1-2015 at: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/oun/?n=events-20130520

 

News9.com, Oklahoma City. “Victims Remembered 6 Months After May 20 Tornado.” 11-20-2013. Accessed 6-1-2015 at: http://www.news9.com/story/24020267/victims-to-be-remembered-6-months-after-may-20-tornado

 

[1] Includes one “indirect” death.

— 5  ABC News (C. Sandell). “Five Snowboarders Dead in Colorado Avalanche.” 4-20-2013.

— 5  AP.  “Authorities identify skier, 4 snowboarders killed in Colorado avalanche.” 4-21-2013.

— 5  Denver Post. “Colorado avalanche at Loveland Pass ranks among…deadliest.” 4-21-2013.

 

AP:  “Denver — Authorities have released the names of four Colorado snowboarders and one skier killed over the weekend in the state’s deadliest avalanche in more than 50 years. Clear Creek County Sheriff Don Krueger said search and rescue crews recovered the men’s bodies from a backcountry area on Loveland Pass several hours after Saturday afternoon’s slide, which was estimated to be about 600 feet wide and eight feet deep. All of the men were equipped with avalanche beacons.

 

“The sheriff identified the victims Sunday as Christopher Peters, 32, of Lakewood; Joseph Timlin, 32, of Gypsum; Ryan Novack, 33, of Boulder; Ian Lanphere, 36, of Crested Butte; and Rick Gaukel, 33, of Estes Park. Another snowboarder, identified by friends as Jerome Boulay, was buried and survived, but authorities have not released his condition.

 

“The Denver Post reported Sunday the group of men, all experienced in extreme terrain, were participating in a snowboarding event called the Rocky Mountain High Backcountry Bash to raise money for the Colorado Avalanche Information Center when the slide occurred.  Snow-boarder Mike Bennett of Dillon told the newspaper he dug through hard-packed snow to help free Boulay before finding two others buried about two feet below the surface. “They were wrapped around each other, below a patch of trees,” he said….

 

“Meanwhile, Adam Schmidt, editor in chief of Snowboard Colorado Magazine, told The Associated Press the event organized by Timlin, “ironically,” was aimed at promoting backcountry safety….

 

“The slide occurred on a spring weekend when many skiers and snowboarders took advantage of late season snowfall in the Rocky Mountains. Loveland Pass, which rises to an elevation of 11,990 feet about 60 miles west of Denver, is popular among backcountry skiers and snowboarders, but dangerous conditions are common in the area even in the spring.

 

“Ethan Greene, director of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, said a systemic weakness in the snowpack was exacerbated by heavy snow that fell on the pass over the past week and a half….

 

“According to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, 11 people have died in avalanches in Colorado this winter season.

 

“Greene said Saturday’s was the deadliest in the state since 1962, when seven people were killed in a slide that wiped out several homes in the town of Twin Lakes near Independence Pass.

 

“U.S. avalanche deaths climbed steeply after 1990, averaging 24 a year, as new gear became available for backcountry travel. Until then, avalanches rarely claimed more than a handful of lives each season in records going back to 1950.”  (Associated Press.  “Authorities identify skier, 4 snowboarders killed in Colorado avalanche.” 4-21-2013.)

 

Denver Post:  “The avalanche that killed five experienced backcountry riders on the western flank of Mt Sniktau near Loveland Pass Saturday ranks as the deadliest involving skiers or snowboarders in the U.S. since records began to be kept in 1950.”  (Denver Post (Jason Blevins). “Colorado avalanche at Loveland Pass ranks among nation’s deadliest.” 4-21-2013.)

 

Sources

 

ABC News (Clayton Sandell). “Five Snowboarders Dead in Colorado Avalanche.” 4-20-2013. http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2013/04/five-snowboarders-believed-dead-in-colorado-avalanche/

 

Associated Press. “Authorities identify skier, 4 snowboarders killed in Colorado avalanche.” 4-21-2013. http://www.foxnews.com/weather/2013/04/21/authorities-identify-5-snowboarders-killed-in-loveland-pass-avalanche-all-from/

 

Denver Post (Jason Blevins). “Colorado avalanche at Loveland Pass ranks among nation’s deadliest.” 4-21-2013. http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_23075287/colorado-avalanche-among-nations-deadliest