Texas got slammed this week. Tornadoes at Christmas in the DFW area and a blizzard across the panhandle into the New Mexico area. I heard that Roswell NM has 18 inches and is expecting 6 to 8 more as is the panhandle area. I've seen the video from local news stations in the DFW area and the destruction and loss of homes, businesses, and life is dumbfounding. It will be hard, especially the first few days and weeks, but they will survive and rebuild and emerge stronger for it.

My daughter and son in law were in the Mesquite area visiting his folks for Christmas when the tornado came through. One of the tornadoes touched down only 4 miles away. They were very fortunate to have missed the destruction that other large areas saw.

I know Beagle is in that area....I think he's on the other side of the DFW area. I also know Mike Hanson is in Mesquite as well.  I'm not sure who else here is in that area that might have been affected. My prayers to each and every one of you and all the people there.

You didn't have to be hit to be affected. Our town here in Wilson was hit a few years ago with several tornadoes that did some major damage and it was like the entire town was sucker punched. People pulled together and the areas have mostly recovered now. Some things were rebuilt and others were bulldozed into history. No one will ever forget that day and the things we saw and experienced. My prayers go out to the families affected both directly and indirectly.

My daughter had a hard time getting a flight out. So many flights were canceled and she finally made it to NC last night at 2am.

We were so glad our extended family in Texas is OK. Others were not so fortunate.

Keep Texas, and the people affected by this, in your thoughts and prayers.

+1
 
Hope all are well in the UK as well as here.

yep, I live west of where the tornadoes hit, we got storms and a lot of wind, but the tornadoes didn't hit close to us.  DFW is a very large area (the "metroplex" is over 9,000 sq miles!).  
 
MichaelHanson is safe, but he did get caught in the major front of the storm and had to take safety in the freezer of Albertsons!  He was also driving along the front line of the storm (tornadoes form on the front line where the two pressure systems collide) on his way home, I believe.  but I know he and his family are safe and I don't think they had any damage at their house in Mesquite.  I'm sure he can tell you better, but wanted to let you know we're both safe.
 
there are many people in the DFW area affected, however and many who have lost their lives, have been injured and many who have lost their homes and businesses.  here is the official blog of the American Red Cross regarding the storms in DFW:  https://redcrossdfw.wordpress.com/2015/12/26/red-cross-responds-to-tornadoes-across-north-texas-in-december/
 
there's a couple of links there, one will help you search for loved ones you've lost contact with in the area and the other will lead you to the Red Cross website where you can donate to help the RC help the victims of the storms.

Glad to hear you and Michael are ok......hopefully others from here are also safe.

Yes, Thanks Reece for letting everyone know that I am OK.  Sunnyvale, Garland and Rowlett took the direct hit.  
 
We were out to eat at the Mellow Mushroom (Pizza) across the lake in Rockwall.  After eating we headed home.  About half way home, on a city road in Mesquite the sirens started going off, the wind began to gush and leaves started swirling high into the air, in front of me.  We quickly pulled off the road and ducked into an available Albertson's.  From there we were shuffled to the back of the store and into the freezer, along with every one else.  We sat it out for about 30 minutes.  Boy was that cold.  Keep in mind that it had been in the 80's earlier, so we were dressed for Summer weather.  My daughter was in shorts.  
 
When we got home, it was still there in tacked and we started watching on the news the incredible destruction that was starting to appear on the broadcasts.  It was not until the next day, after the path of the tornado had been completely tracked, did we realize that we basically drove right down the path of the tornado, but that it was overhead while we passed underneath it.  It touched down a couple miles past us and then stayed on the ground for 13 miles.  We will not forget that experience for quite a while.  
 
We are praying for those that have lost homes.  Several people from our Church have been reported to have lost everything.  There is an enormous recovery effort in place and several food shelters that we often help out at, have started to donate food and clothing.  

I am so glad you Texans are OK. I feel for those that were not. This weather is getting crazy dangerous.
 

Hi,
 
Hopefully everyone is OK over there.
 
We, here in Portland/Vancouver area have gotten over 10 inches (TEN INCHES) of rain in December alone,. I think this is the fist time in like 10 years where the average rain fall and water levels are above average over here. And Mt. Hood has a very nice abundance of that nice white stuff ... !!!