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* This is why a properly reinforced tornado shelter is so important. From 2004…
Around 2:30 p.m. last Tuesday, alert employees at the Parsons Manufacturing Co. plant in Roanoke, a little more than 100 miles southwest of Chicago, looked out the window and saw a terrifying sight: an immense tornado bearing down on the plant.
The employees got on the public address system immediately. The warning went out: “This is not a joke. A tornado is on the ground. Get to the storm shelters.”
By the time the tornado slammed into the plant 11 minutes later, everyone had made it safely to concrete-reinforced restrooms, which doubled as storm shelters. The 225,000 square foot plant was destroyed, as was an addition under construction and the cars and trucks of many employees. But none of the nearly 150 workers present at the time was injured. Not a single one.
According to the National Weather Service, this was an F4 tornado with winds of more than 200 miles an hour. That ranks it as one of the most powerful twisters to hit Illinois in the last 50 years. F4 tornadoes are usually deadly. This one wasn’t. That had less to do with luck than it did the planning and preparation of company owner Bob Parsons. His insistence on building storm shelters into the design of the plant and on having regular fire and tornado drills saved lives.
That Roanoke tornado was more powerful than the one which hit Edwardsville Friday night.
* On to Amazon tornado coverage from the Post-Dispatch…
The National Weather Service said Saturday night that the tornado that hit the Amazon building reached the EF3 category — the third-strongest rating on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, with winds between 136 mph and 165 mph.
The tornado touched down just northwest of the intersection of Interstates 255 and 270, then traveled northeast into Edwardsville.
It triggered the collapse of a 40-foot-high wall about the length of a football field, which brought a portion of the roof down as well, Edwardsville Fire Chief James Whiteford said Saturday. […]
Asked about precautions taken, the company said when a facility is made aware of a tornado warning, all employees are told to move to a designated, marked shelter-in-place location. Employees are trained on emergency response, the company said.
* The shelters were supposedly “fortified,” but to what extent is still unknown…
Workers there sheltered in two places, she said, and one of those areas was directly struck. These areas are typically fortified, though it was unclear if they were built to withstand a direct tornado strike. Based on preliminary interviews, Ms. Nantel added, the company calculated that about 11 minutes lapsed between the first warning of a tornado and when it hit the delivery station.
Six people are known dead.
* Eyewitness account from the shelter…
Jaeira Hargrove and Etheria Hebb loaded up their delivery vans Friday morning at an Amazon facility near Edwardsville and spent the day delivering packages in the Glen Carbon area.
When the weather started turning bad, they returned and quickly parked their vans. A woman told them to head to the bathroom because of a tornado warning, Hargrove said Sunday in an interview with the Post-Dispatch. […]
“We were just standing there talking. That’s when we heard the noise. It felt like the floor started moving. We all got closer to each other. We all started screaming,” Hargrove said.
The building collapsed as an EF3 tornado smashed into it.
Both Hargrove and Hebb were knocked to the floor. Hargrove was calling out to Hebb, but Hebb didn’t respond. She was one of the six people who were killed in the building’s collapse.
* Reuters…
Several employees told Reuters that they had been directed to shelter in bathrooms by Amazon managers after receiving emergency alerts on mobile phones from authorities. […]
Some of those workers said they had kept their phones despite what they believed was a violation of an Amazon policy that prevents them from having cellphones at work.
The company responded by saying that there was no Amazon policy that prevents employees or contractors from having a cell phone at work.
* BND…
The building is where drivers who operate the blue-gray Amazon delivery trucks pick up packages for delivery to homes. It’s called the “last mile” building since it’s the final stop before completing an order. Local authorities previously have said that Amazon didn’t have a count of how many employees were at the building because of a “shift change” when the tornado hit, but Nantel said that there was not a shift change.
Instead, she said, it was a case of several employees finishing their delivery routes and returning to the warehouse where their personal vehicles were parked. “There are people coming and going because the drivers are all beginning to wrap up their routes,” she said. “There’s just a lot of activity at that point.”
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 10:23 am
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Prayers for everyone in Edwardsville, Kentucky and elsewhere (including one in Cass County northwest of Springfield) affected by the tornadoes.
This is outrageous, but it took until yesterday for Jeff Bezos to issue a statement regarding the Edwardsville warehouse tragedy:
https://www.thetelegraph.com/news/article/Jeff-Bezos-faces-criticism-for-late-response-to-16697547.php
One would have thought that safety precautions and building imrpovements in warehouse construction would have resulted after the Roanoke tragedy.
Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 10:28 am
The same questions are being asked about the candel factory in Mayfield. It’s easy to ask looking back, but even with the warnings nobody realized how intense these would be. These places had safe areas built in and training on going to these areas. But they did not hold up. In hindsight maybe it would have been a good idea, but when decisions are made they are made without that hindsight. Companies also have to weigh the danger of sending people out in cars instead of sheltering in place.
I was on-site at the candle factory in Mayfield Saturday morning. The majority of survivors were pulled out of the safe area that night. But when the storm is intense enough to take out the safe area, you don’t know that ahead of time.
Comment by SOIL M Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 10:40 am
===but when decisions are made they are made without that hindsight===
You must’ve missed that part about Roanoke at the very top of the post.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 10:41 am
Parsons definitely has set the standard for worker protection in our tornado alley. Amazon may have to soon upgrade their storm shelter builds. This is something that should never be skimped on.
Comment by Anon221 Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 10:42 am
Rich— yes I did. Apologies for not completely reading post before commenting
Comment by SOIL M Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 10:43 am
My daughters practice sports in warehouses like these. I will never look at those bathrooms quite the same way again.
Comment by Jocko Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 10:48 am
To be fair, I think most distribution centers like this use bathrooms, conference rooms without windows as their tornado shelter. It makes tornado drills rather unpleasant.
Comment by dan l Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 10:57 am
“Parsons definitely has set the standard for worker protection”
How Parsons treated their employees afterwards was exemplary. None were laid off. They were set to work recovering the plant. When they ran out of work, they did community service work until the plant was up and running.
Comment by Huh? Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 11:01 am
- NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham - Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 10:28 am:
Jeff Bezos is not the CEO of Amazon, as stated in the article.
Comment by Shield Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 11:06 am
Huh?- Wonder if Bezos will follow suit. Although he’s tweeted he’ll be by their side, I’m not going to hold my breath.
Comment by Anon221 Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 11:06 am
The criticism of Bezos being late with a response seems misplaced. One commenter linked to a Telegraph article, which identified Bezos as the CEO of Amazon. At least according to my google, Bezos has not been the CEO of Amazon since July. The actual president and CEO is Andy Jassy, who was issuing statements on Friday evening. There seems to be a lot of anti-Amazon schadenfreude goin on with this situation.
Comment by duck duck goose Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 11:07 am
I think there are a lot of questions about that telephone policy. Many of the accounts seem to indicate that many of the employees there thought you couldn’t have your phone. I’ve read that in several articles.
I have a feeling Amazon is going to get walloped with law suits.
I read other accounts that employees didn’t know where to go.
I think Amazon is going to look really bad from this.
Comment by Honeybear Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 11:11 am
Aside: if I make a list of places not to be during any kind of disaster, a mega warehouse is number 1. Even the ones that take safety super seriously still have not insignificant risk.
Comment by dan l Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 11:13 am
Stuart Applebaum of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union has ripped Amazon in the wake of the Edwardsville tragedy as another example of “profits over people.”
https://www.starvedrock.media/wlpo/union-rips-amazon-in-wake-of-edwardsville-tornado-disaster/article_15e3e8e4-5b7c-11ec-96b4-cb5ce33ec7ee.html
Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 11:13 am
During the first part of Madonia’s show on 1450 Springfield this morning, the Edwardsville tornado was among the topics discussed. While discussing the tragedy and condolences to the victims, they did use the occasion to wonder why Springfield never made a serious effort to attract the Amazon warehouses instead of Edwardsville. Maybe not the day to speculate What If but I’ve wondered the same thing too. The area along MacArthur extension near Scheels that was supposed to have been the failed outlet mall would be perfect for distribution centers and warehouses.
Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 11:17 am
“Stuart Applebaum of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union”
It is easy ( but tasteless) to point a finger after a disaster - I just wonder if Mr. Applebaum ensures that all the facilities that his union’s members work at have Storm Shelters that meet the requirements in the ICC 500 standard.
Comment by Donnie Elgin Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 11:18 am
——
Stuart Applebaum of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union has ripped Amazon in the wake of the Edwardsville tragedy as another example of “profits over people.”
——
Is there evidence of negligence here? I’m not arguing if there is no doubt AMZN should get it shoved down their throat. I just haven’t heard that there there was a failure to enforce a procedure.
Comment by dan l Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 11:22 am
Many school districts at one time banned students from keeping their cell phones with them. After more school shootings, Illinois law was changed to allow students to keep their phones with them at school. I believe Rep. Mary Flowers sponsored that legislation. Might be time for the same policy for employees at work locations.
Comment by Give Me A Break Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 11:24 am
The Amazon warehouse is 15 miles from our hometown and a close family friend lose her nephew there. With all the destruction throughout Illinois and Kentucky from the storms. Then reading the pandemic hit 800,000 deaths in the US.
We really need to say a prayer and hug our family real tight during the holidays. Life is surly not guaranteed.
Comment by Club J Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 11:25 am
I was listening to WBBM and they were quoting the Amazon spin to the letter, with their spokesperson heavily emphasizing that this was a freak act of nature that no one could prepare for. Expect a large amount of spin from their media backers this week…
Comment by NIU Grad Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 11:32 am
If memory serves there was some discussion to make the standard Parsons used BEFORE their tornado a state standard, but it lacked energy. Perhaps those efforts might be renewed. The number of these massive buildings pretty much fill the “sky line” along I-55 and Will County. The re-enforced restrooms are a doable rehab.
Comment by Annonin' Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 11:35 am
I live a mile from the warehouse and was at a restaurant not far from home. Around 8 pm the cell phones of everyone in the restaurant blared out a tornado warning for St Louis County. We quickly headed home and during the short drive the storm sirens in town blared the warning. Got home and headed to the basement for the next couple hours. Even though the tornado hit close by our lights never even flickered. Local news stations were all in storm mode and provided early warning of the potential for tornados near edwardsville. Weather reports all day warned of the potential for strong storms. It’s was amazing how accurate the forcast was for this storm. It is a tragedy so many lives were lost and so many families were devastated. Prayers to all impacted and thankful for our safety.
Comment by Retired and Still in Illinois Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 11:38 am
The only safe place to be when the winds are that strong is underground.
Comment by Furtive Look Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 11:46 am
—–
The only safe place to be when the winds are that strong is underground.
—–
Exactly.
Comment by dan l Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 11:56 am
==The only safe place to be when the winds are that strong is underground. ==
Not so. A properly engineered and constructed shelter room can withstand what hit the Amazon facility. (Reread the the opening section about Parsons.) Building those shelters with enough space and easily accessible for all employees is an up front construction expense; many businesses will not make that investment unless it’s required.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 12:10 pm
OSHA has opened an investigation into this, apparently.
Comment by The Real Downstate Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 12:17 pm
==Bezos has not been the CEO of Amazon since July==
There are a couple of Bezos apologists up top. Let’s set the record straight. Is he CEO? No. He does, however, remain the Executive Chairman of the Board.
An Exec Chair is different than a standard Chair. Generally speaking, in most organizations, the Exec Chair retains executive control of the corporation and outranks the CEO in the corporate hierarchy.
Beyond that, everyone knows that Bezos is one of the richest people in world, knows that money comes from Amazon and that he built it, including that warehouse, and that he’s still the company’s largest stakeholder. He should’ve been mourning employees rather than celebrating a space launch on Saturday morning
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 12:22 pm
Everyone I know who’s worked as a picker or packer or loader at an Amazon warehouse has been forbidden to have their phones while working. Explanations have varied; people have been told employees will “waste time” and supervisors can’t enforce no recreational phone use because they can’t always see the employers; others have been told it’s because a lot of Amazon’s logistics systems are trade secrets. They have to be left in your car or locked in a secure locker before entering the working area of the facility.
Now, Amazon did relax these restrictions during the pandemic to attract and retain employees, specifically employees with children. “Childcare being able to reach you” was the one okay reason to have your phone.
But the official policy is “no phones” and they have been enforcing it strictly again since this school year began.
Comment by Suburban Mom Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 12:37 pm
==The number of these massive buildings pretty much fill the “sky line” along I-55 and Will County.==
There’s also quite a bit of warehouses off I-55’s Exit 100, east of interstate by the Road Ranger truck stop, too. Including some state-owned or rented facilities. However, some of those are about 20-40 years old and likely don’t have any post-Roanoke improvements that newer warehouses might have.
Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 1:16 pm
===wonder why Springfield never made a serious effort to attract the Amazon warehouses instead of Edwardsville===
The Metro East can serve the rest of the St. Louis Metro area very well. As a metropolitan area, the Metro East is almost 4 times the size of the whole Springfield Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Amazon may not have been interested in Springfield as a site, and if they were, those warehouse jobs aren’t what many would consider to be a “good” job and the turnover rates are atrocious.
Comment by Candy Dogood Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 1:19 pm
“should’ve been mourning employees”
The New York Times reported that there were 51 people working at the Edwardsville site when it was hit, but only 7 were full time Amazon employees. Most of the “workers” were contract or agency employees.
Comment by Southern IL Bob Too Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 1:57 pm
= but only 7 were full time Amazon employees =
So if they’re not your employees but they die in your substandard building amidst atrocious working conditions, that’s just fine and you should show no sympathy for their deaths?
Got it. Guessing you’re part of the GQP death cult
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 2:37 pm
Has anyone reached out and asked congresswoman Mary Miller how her recent push to eliminate OSHA aligns with this event and protecting workers.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 2:48 pm
Using google earth a nearby Amazon facility is 1000 feet long, another warehouse used by someone else is 2000 feet long.
The Amazon lady on the press conference today made a big point to NOT call it a SAFE ROOM. She could not speculate if a person had enough time to make it from one of the building to the other. All the deaths were on the south end. Running more than 3 football fields in just a minute or two to save your life? I know many folks who wouldn’t be able to make it. Those facilities need to have multiple rooms that are safer to be in.
There is a new warehouse I drive by on 55 near Joliet and I just looked its 2,300 feet long. Those buildings have multiple fire exits - they need multiple “safe rooms”
Comment by Cool Papa Bell Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 3:18 pm
=So if they’re not your employees but they die in your substandard building amidst atrocious working conditions, that’s just fine and you should show no sympathy for their deaths?=
The use of contract employees can relieve you of pesky things like benefits, overtime, unemployment, etc. But be careful what you wish for because it also relieves you of worker’s compensation obligations while exposing you to tort liability.
Comment by Pundent Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 6:19 pm
NBC is now reporting that the Mayfield candle workers were threatened with firing if they left work early to beat out the tornado.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/kentucky-tornado-factory-workers-threatened-firing-left-tornado-employ-rcna8581?cid=sm_npd_nn_fb_ma&fbclid=IwAR0SrvJmJTWEklA4XPcFgnTnuxMr_sZ2KE2iK_MzUA1moqWBTdZ6sbNFF9Y
Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 7:46 pm