HOLY COW!!!

(**All images and story quotes are the property of their respective artists**)

Can you believe this? I turn on the television this morning and while channel surfing came across these two news stories. (clicking on the images will take you to the story) This first story happened at around 9:15 am EST.

Jul 18, 2007 4:34 pm US/Eastern
Tornado Leaves Thousands Without Power On L.I.

(CBS) ISLIP, N.Y. The National Weather Service confirmed that an F-1 tornado touched down in the Islip area of Long Island Wednesday morning.

At the F-1 level, a tornado carries hurricane-force winds that can reach 110 mph. It can peel off roofs, push mobile homes off their foundations or blow vehicles off the road.

LIPA reports major power outages on Long Island. At its peak, some 51,000 customers were without power. Currently, 12,900 still have no electricity.

Here's a pic of a Whitestone Home owner:



Now, if that weren't bad enough - look what happened at 6PM in Manhattan at the height of Rush Hour:

Air OK, but asbestos in debris from N.Y. steam pipe blast

The 6 p.m. blast, which sent sent plumes of smoke and ash into the air around
Grand Central Terminal, killed a woman and injured at least 44, according to
authorities and local hospitals.

Lois Baumerich, of Hawthorne, New Jersey, died of cardiac arrest, New York City
Mayor Michael Bloomberg said. Three firefighters and a police officer were treated
on the scene for minor injuries, according to a New York Fire Department spokesman.
Bellevue Hospital Center received 14 patients, including Baumerich, hospital
Administrator Larry Dugan said. New York Presbyterian Hospital said it received 27
injured people, 25 of whom were treated and released. As of Thursday, one person
was listed in critical condition and another in serious. The area encompassed by
40th and 43rd streets and Vanderbilt and Third avenues was "frozen" because of
the asbestos threat.

Those in that zone are allowed to stay in the area, but should use caution. No one
will be allowed to enter the zone, the Office of Emergency Management said."People
inside buildings in the frozen zone should keep windows closed and switch air
conditioners to recirculate the air inside instead of drawing in air from outside,"
the office said. Also, parts of Lexington Avenue, Third Avenue, Park Avenue,
42nd Street and Vanderbilt Avenue will be closed to traffic.

Subway lines near the explosion were initially rerouted to bypass Grand Central
Terminal, but the Metropolitan Transportation Authority said Thursday the subway
infrastructure was not damaged. Bloomberg told reporters the pipe that exploded
was installed in 1924. "There was cold water getting into the pipe, and cold water
apparently causes these to explode," the mayor said. "It might have been bursts of
cold water from the rain or because of another water main break." Hundreds of
people frantically fled the scene as police, fire and utility officials converged on
the area around the blast, which left a crater 25 feet wide and 15 feet deep,
according to utility provider Con Edison. More than 170 firefighters were dispatched
to the site, the fire department said.

Unbelievable!! I called Pop this morning because he works in Manhattan but he hasn't called me back yet :( That was a double whammy for NY. I can't believe that. Oh well, had to put it out there for those of you who may have missed it.