The Joplin Route 66 Fest, created shortly after Jim Conkle was removed as primary organizer of the International Route 66 Festival, has been postponed indefinitely after this week's destructive tornado in Joplin, Mo. This message was posted today on the Joplin festival's website: The Festival Committee has decided to re-schedule the Joplin Route 66 Festival … Continue reading Route 66 festival in Joplin postponed
Category: Weather
Now tornadoes lash Oklahoma
Just days after much of Joplin, Mo., was destroyed by a tornado, twisters are wreaking havoc in neighboring Oklahoma -- including near and in the Route 66 town of El Reno, where at least three people are dead, according to the Daily Oklahoman and other media outlets. One Oklahoma City television crew that chased the storm … Continue reading Now tornadoes lash Oklahoma
Joplin tornado, continued
The Joplin, Mo., tornado thread was getting long, so here's another one to keep track of developments: The death toll as of Monday evening stands at 116 people, according to the Joplin Globe, with more then 1,100 injured. Local officials estimate about a third of the city has been destroyed. The disaster is the worst … Continue reading Joplin tornado, continued
Widespread damage, dozens dead in Joplin tornado
At least 24 people are dead and widespread damage has been reported after a tornado Sunday in the Route 66 town of Joplin, Mo., according to varying media reports. Here are a few facts that have come over in the last hour or two: 75 percent of the city reportedly has sustained damage All lanes … Continue reading Widespread damage, dozens dead in Joplin tornado
Meramec Caverns barn damaged by storm
A barn near Hamel, Ill., that used its north side as an advertisement for Meramec Caverns in Missouri was severely damaged by a tornado in late February, reported Rich Henry at Henry's Rabbit Ranch in nearby Staunton, Ill. Henry wrote on the Route 66 yahoogroup: It didn't level it, but took it down considerably. The … Continue reading Meramec Caverns barn damaged by storm
Severe storms, tornadoes strike Missouri and Illinois
Severe thunderstorms and even tornadoes lashed Missouri and Illinois roughly along the Route 66 corridor on Friday. Developments are coming fast, so here's the important stuff so far: A tornado touched down in Fort Leonard Wood near Waynesville, Mo., injuring at least three and prompting a temporary closure of the military base. A state of … Continue reading Severe storms, tornadoes strike Missouri and Illinois
Christmas Eve at the Wagon Wheel Motel
I finally had the chance to stay overnight at the Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba, Mo., and am glad I did. This historic Route 66 motel has been transformed from a diamond in the rough into a gleaming jewel, thanks to the ongoing renovation efforts by new owner Connie Echols. I noted the Wagon Wheel … Continue reading Christmas Eve at the Wagon Wheel Motel
This is supposed to be a desert
You'd think the Mojave River, being in the middle of Southern California's harsh desert, would remain dry or see just a trickle of water, at most. But not today. Here's what the river looked like after the region was lashed with severe rainstorms. This is off Route 66 near Helendale: More storm and flood coverage … Continue reading This is supposed to be a desert
Tornadoes strike near Flagstaff
Two tornadoes touched down Wednesday in the Route 66 village of Bellemont, Ariz., west of Flagstaff, causing widespread damage, according to varying northern Arizona media outlets. One of the casualties was the Camping World on Route 66 in Bellemont. About 30 RVs were blown over and scattered debris over Interstate 40. A freight train was blown off … Continue reading Tornadoes strike near Flagstaff
Flash flooding reported in Flagstaff
A cloudburst Friday in the Flagstaff, Ariz., caused scattered flash flooding around the city, including standing water at the Milton Road underpass on Route 66, reported the Arizona Daily Sun. The mid-afternoon bursts led the Coconino County Sheriff's Office to temporarily close Highway 89 between Silver Saddle Road and Sunset Crater, along with several other … Continue reading Flash flooding reported in Flagstaff