Severe seasonal flooding closed a section of old Route 66 between Essex and Ludlow in Southern California's Mojave Desert, and it may be weeks or even months before it reopens, according to one news source in the area. Zachnews, based in Needles, California, reports more than 40 bridges and some of the Route 66 roadbed … Continue reading Route 66 in Mojave may be closed for months
Category: Weather
Baxter Springs restaurant recovers impressively after tornado
I missed this when it initially happened, but Weston's Route 66 Cafe in Baxter Springs, Kansas, reopened just six weeks after it was destroyed by a tornado in April. KODE-TV filed a recent story about how Weston's, at 1727 Military Ave., and other businesses have recovered after the tornado: An excerpt from the report: For … Continue reading Baxter Springs restaurant recovers impressively after tornado
Many brick buildings in California vulnerable to quakes
After a multitude of earthquakes in California during the 1970s and '80s, we've long assumed the state's old buildings are much less susceptible to damage because of new codes. That's not the case. The Los Angeles Times reported this week that thousands of brick buildings in the region remain unstrengthened against earthquakes, especially in poor municipalities such … Continue reading Many brick buildings in California vulnerable to quakes
Severe storm damages Burger Hut in Needles
A severe storm that caused up to $5 million in damage to the Needles, California, included the historic Burger Hut restaurant along Route 66. The Needles Daily Star had a roundup about the Aug. 12 storm, including the Burger Hut: Ana Johnson, owner of The Burger Hut, said she was glad no one was hurt. … Continue reading Severe storm damages Burger Hut in Needles
Fire destroys Tucumcari hotel
https://youtu.be/UVAxq3pgi8M A Hampton Inn hotel in the Route 66 town of Tucumcari, New Mexico, was destroyed after fire swept through its roof and top floors Wednesday, reported the Quay County Sun and other news outlets. Nearly 30 overnight guests were evacuated with no injuries, reported the newspaper, and were moved to nearby hotels. It's believed … Continue reading Fire destroys Tucumcari hotel
Severe hail causes a white July in Flagstaff
A potent monsoon storm dumped heavy rains and hail on the east side of Flagstaff, Arizona, on Tuesday -- causing residents to break out the snow shovels a few months early. According to the Arizona Daily Sun, so much hail fell that one resident reported that lawns still were white from piled-up hail on Wednesday. … Continue reading Severe hail causes a white July in Flagstaff
The lost photos of Joplin
May 22 marked the third anniversary of the powerful tornado that struck Joplin, Missouri, and changed that Route 66 city forever. I recommend you read this story from Al-Jazeera America about the Lost Photos of Joplin project, which collected more than 40,000 photographs scattered by the storm. There are lithographs of ancestors from the 1800s, … Continue reading The lost photos of Joplin
Route 66 Cares distributes money to tornado-stricken towns
Route 66 Cares, an offshoot of the Route 66 Chamber of Commerce, on Sunday distributed more than $1,500 from donations and fundraisers to the tornado-ravaged towns of Quapaw, Oklahoma, and Baxter Springs, Kansas. The Red Ball Bar & Grill in Baxter Springs provided especially stout support. A benefit pancake breakfast raised almost $750. The first check presentation of $1,265 … Continue reading Route 66 Cares distributes money to tornado-stricken towns
Route 66 organization raising funds for tornado-stricken towns
The Route 66 Chamber of Commerce has launched a Route 66 Cares page on Facebook and is collecting donations to help the tornado-wracked towns of Quapaw, Oklahoma, and Baxter Springs, Kansas, recover in the wake of this week's storms. The PayPal email address is visit66(at)yahoo(dot)com. Donations also can be mailed to: Route 66 Cares, c/o Baxter Springs Chamber … Continue reading Route 66 organization raising funds for tornado-stricken towns
Tornado kills at least one in Quapaw, Baxter Springs
A tornado has killed at least two people one person and destroyed a fire station in the Route 66 town of Quapaw, Okla., near the Kansas border, according to the Tulsa World and other media outlets. One media outlet also reported a death in the nearby Route 66 town of Baxter Springs, Kan. The twister … Continue reading Tornado kills at least one in Quapaw, Baxter Springs