I opened my Google Earth tonight, and am possibly the first to notice a fresh imagery update has just been published for Minneapolis.
To my surprise, you can make out THE PATH OF THE TORNADO! A scuff mark across the north-side is unmistakable. And within the scuff zone, you can see many homes with blue tarp roofs. From Wirth Park, through Wilard-Hay, Jordan, Fowell, Weber-Camden, you can see the tornadoes path because the trees were destroyed and the foliage is less dense. On average, the tornado path appears to be 4 blocks wide, traveling diagonally to the north-east.
A few buildings are seen destroyed. Notable among them, the Broadway Liquor Store, which was recently torn down.
UPDATE: Google MAPS has new imagery too, showing even more dramatic views. HUNDREDS of blue tarp roofs and missing trees. Dumpsters parked in yards for clean up. Pan around the map below, or click it's link to view larger.
Compared to what was previously available, the new imagery is stunning. In addition to the tornado damage, you can see new construction which was not depicted until now. The new Lowry Bridge, The Twins Stadium, Gophers Stadium. I'm sure I'll be exploring all night. I recommend you open up Google Earth and take a look!
After focusing on Broadway Ave, east of the Mississippi, I've noticed some new imagery has become available for West Broadway! So I'm now able to create 3d Models for buildings and shops along the North sides "main street".
I'd previously had models for the old IRVS Bar, and the large blue building next to the lot where White Castle was demolished and the YMCA development is planned...
As I model these buildings, I'm doing light research on them to determine accurate content. To this end, I'll probably do a few posts in the future, focusing on individual locations. Some have videos, websites, news clips and all kinds of content, that will not fit in a simple description box.
So, without further explanation,
NEW ADDITIONS TO NORTH SIDE WEST BROADWAY GOOGLE EARTH:
EMERGE w/ Bean Scene Coffee Shop
Friedmans Shoe Store notice Farview Park Hill in the background..
Gods Prayer Center
I've found kids can be taught these geo-graphical arts, and they actually love learning to. It's allot of fun. So if anyone wants a quick class in it, I'm available..
On Tuesday July 19th 2011, KRS One was invited to Minneapolis by Dj Xpect and the University of Minnesota Institute For Advanced Study to talk to North Minneapolis residents, who were struck by a tornado on May 22nd 2011. Later in the evening he also headlined a benefit show dubbed 'Moja' ( swahili for 'one') where he delivered an electrifying performance accompanied by local Bboys and Bgirls. The show also featured Slum Village from Detroit, Local artist Toki Wright, Truth Maze, Black Pearl, Boima Freeman, Dj Dmil, and more. Video clips and more will be uploaded soon. iRelief Organization http://ireliefnow.org
http://mplstornado.info http://ias.umn.edu
The death toll from Sunday's tornado has risen to 122, making it the eighth-deadliest tornado in U.S. history, the National Weather Service said.
The Joplin twister was upgraded to EF-5, the strongest category on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, with winds exceeding 200 mph. The storm was apparently a "multivortex" tornado, with two or more small and intense centers of rotation orbiting the larger funnel, a rare occurrence.
The site also has a list/map of residents in immediate need of food or other help. It's an innovative way for volunteers and neighbors to see where efforts would be best directed.
This is the first of several updates from the City of Minneapolis, please head their instructions.
Tornado response update- restricted zones on the North Side
Share
This morning the Minneapolis Police Department in cooperation with other City departments has developed anexclusion zone in the hardest hit areas of North Minneapolis into which only residents will be allowed once the areas are considered to be safe.
Currently crews are in the area repairing gas leaks, clearing roads, locating and neutralizing downed power lines and assessing the damage to buildings. This work will continue through the day until it is complete. As such it is necessary to prohibit all access to a block until that block is considered safe. Once a block is considered safe residents of that block can enter the area through one of the designated checkpoints.
Checkpoints are located at the following intersections:
Checkpoints are located at the following intersections:
42 Avenue North and Lyndale Avenue North
Dowling Avenue North and Lyndale Avenue North
Lowry Avenue North and Lyndale Avenue North
26th Avenue North and Fremont Avenue North
West Broadway and Fremont Avenue North
Penn Avenue North and Golden Valley Road
Oak Park/ Thomas Avenue North
Golden Valley Road and Xerxes Avenue South
Penn Avenue North and 12th Avenue North
Penn Avenue North and 26th Avenue North
Penn Avenue North and Lowry Avenue North
Penn Avenue North and Dowling Avenue North
42nd Avenue North and Humboldt Avenue North
MPD says that no checkpoint will open before 10 a.m. and no travel will be allowed in the exclusion zone before 10 AM. Then, only residents will be allowed to come and go after the areas have been cleared of major hazards. Anyone in the North Minneapolis area should be aware that emergency responders have found quantities of small debris that have damaged numerous vehicle tires.
Other Closures:
The following exits from northbound I-94 will also be closed until further notice starting at 5 a.m. Monday (on ramps are not affected):
Broadway/Washington Avenue
Dowling Avenue
49th Avenue North /53rd Avenue North
The Minneapolis Public School District says the following schools in the exclusion zone will be closed Monday:
Lucy Laney
City View
Nellie Stone Johnson
Hmong International Academy
Northstar
Plymouth Youth Center
No school buses will be able to enter the exclusion zone as many roadways are still impassable.
