35W just came down right in front of my house
UPDATE 8/2 4:19PM: This is Aaron again. Just got off the phone with Noah who is at the north end of the Stone Arch Bridge. He just personally confirmed these two rumors with the Chairman of the NTSB and Chief of Police: The bridge was lacking redundancy and there was a secondary collapse.
UPDATE 8/2 8:36AM: Been hearing many conflicting reports of what caused the collapse. I would ask for people to refuse to “speculate” what caused the disaster. Here are the only facts that I am personally aware of:
- The construction might have not been “structural” in nature, but it was still serious construction. For a time, there were holes in the bridge through which I could look up and see the sky.
- I have been hearing multiple reports that this bridge type contains no redundancy. This is not a “fact” in my opinion until the NTSB or DOT confirms it. Go here and read comment 14 for an interesting (if passionate) analysis.
- I have gone through an earthquake before. The shaking was more like an aftershock.
8/2 UPDATE 7:00AM: Sean at MN Publius is entirely correct. Within approx. 20 mins everyone who could be rescued by us “amateurs” was, but people kept coming. I have some video I will be uploading later (OSX can’t see the file type apparently) of a steady stream of people coming to and from the bridge - on the ground level. Amazing.
Just finished my first (and hopefully last) nightmare regarding the collapse.
It had a happy ending though - at the last possible, horrific second, Peyton Manning (who for some reason had the powers of Spiderman) arrived on the scence and began to help. I was ecstatic, for a moment, but then I was thrown from the bridge by some unknown force and spent the rest of the dream unable to get back to the bridge.
UPDATE 1:36AM: This is Noah and I’m back from my apt. We had to walk in, since it is now in what is called the “Danger Zone”. Fairly sure I’m the only resident in the Zone. We got the cat we left behind and packed small bags.
Please, call 612-460-3700 for the Red Cross if you can help. The MN Red Cross office is directly across from my apt. - I can still see their sign underneath 35W.
I’m nominally homeless - crashing at friends. Will try and return home in the morning.
Deep thanks to Britt, Aaron and everyone else who rushed with me to help get people off 35W bridge.
UPDATE 10:25pm: Aaron Landry here still. I just posted Noah’s Photos. Shots before emergency personnel showed up, some of the survivors as well as shots from under the bridge.
UPDATE 9:50pm: Noah is off to City Hall and a batch of photos have been sent to me to post from him. I haven’t gotten the photos yet though.
UPDATE 9:20pm: Tom Elko points out Noah’s place in his latest post. I haven’t heard from Noah since but will post an update as soon as I hear anything from him.
Photo by Adam Meyer, emailed to Tom Elko
UPDATE 8:44pm: Aaron Landry here; Noah is being overwhelmed with phone calls so he gave me the keys to the castle to relay his updates. Here’s a couple shots of Noah’s place is in comparison to the bridge:
UPDATE:
I’m at the Humphrey School waiting for a ride. We couldn’t take a car our any of our belongings. One cat was taken, one was left behind.
I’m shocked, but no longer shaking. Still sweaty from sprinting to river side to help rescue people. Didn’t see any dead or hurt on the West side of non existent bridge. Helped people off girders. My cell phone isn’t working like many of yours, so email me at noah@blanked-out.com if you need to. I have pictures, will upload later. Confirmed all of my friends (except one) who commute are safe.
Description of collapse: Surprisingly quiet, but my entire warehouse apt shook quite a bit. Bridge fell so very slowly - poof. Yelled and yelled but no one answered. Only a handful of ppl in water, all got out ok and then began to help as well. Ran into woman who thought school bus was trapped on east side in fold of highway. Couldn’t confirm it or get to the other bank to help.
more later…hope everyone is safe…
I live the closest to the 35W Bridge than anyone in Minneapolis and I watched it come down from my roof.
I spent 20mins getting people out and off the bridge.
I’m being evacuated.
PS This was not a bomb.
August 1st, 2007 at 8:32 pm
[…] Update 9:30pm Eastern. This Minneapolis-area blogger was there and describes the slow, quiet collapse. He concludes: “This was not a bomb.” Metroblogging Minneapolis has more liveblogging/witness reports. CNN reporting 50-100 vehicles have plunged into the river. […]
August 1st, 2007 at 8:33 pm
Glad to hear you’re ok Noah.
August 1st, 2007 at 8:37 pm
[…] Noah Kunin of Blanked-Out has an eyewitness account. […]
August 1st, 2007 at 8:44 pm
[…] Minnesota blogger Noah of Blanked Out was a witness to the collapse. […]
August 1st, 2007 at 8:49 pm
[…] Noah at Blanked Out was an eye witness…make sure to read his account of things. Unpartisan.com Political News and Blog Aggregator linked with Cars fall in Mississippi after collapse […]
August 1st, 2007 at 8:49 pm
[…] One Twin-City area blogger says “This was not a bomb”. […]
August 1st, 2007 at 8:56 pm
[…] This Minneapolis-area blogger was there and describes the slow, quiet collapse. He concludes: “This was not a bomb.” Metroblogging Minneapolis has more liveblogging/witness reports. CNN reporting 50-100 vehicles have plunged into the river. […]
August 1st, 2007 at 9:24 pm
[…] 1st, 2007 · No Comments NOTE: The Blanked-Out blog has been reporting on the collapse of the I-35W bridge spanning theMississippi River in Minneapolis. Below is the most-recent update: 35W just came down right in front of my houseUPDATE 8:44pm: Aaron Landry here; Noah is being overwhelmed with phone calls so he gave me the keys to the castle to relay his updates. Here’s a couple shots of Noah’s place is in comparison to the bridge: […]
August 1st, 2007 at 9:40 pm
Massive Bridge Collapses in Minneapolis…
Charles Johnson has a pair of rather frightening screen captures from Fox News, and details from the Star-Tribune. Matt Drudge is currently linking to further details. Update: Here’s a live video feed from Minneapolis’s WCCO. Update: Via Hot Air,……
August 1st, 2007 at 9:48 pm
Thanks for the reassurance that it wasn’t a bomb. I’m glad you’re OK and God bless you for running to help who you could. Stay safe!
August 1st, 2007 at 9:51 pm
Noah, we may not see eye to eye politically, but you are a hero in my book. Unequivocally. Thank you for assisting those people.
August 1st, 2007 at 9:53 pm
Thanks for the help you gave those in need, the report here, and the assurance this wasn’t a bomb. May God Bless You!
August 1st, 2007 at 10:48 pm
[…] Local blogger Noah Kunin posted an eyewitness account. Metroblogging has a really good liveblog running. […]
August 1st, 2007 at 11:07 pm
Take care, dear. You are a hero.
August 1st, 2007 at 11:23 pm
[…] Luckily I was home during today’s tragedy. My friend Noah lives right next to the bridge. He got some photos before he was evacuated by authorities. I’ve been posting his updates this evening at his site along with random updates at MNspeak. This evening I posted Noah’s photos on my Flickr page and they are worth seeing. If you have comments directed for him, please post on his page, not mine. […]
August 1st, 2007 at 11:46 pm
I used to live there and crossed that bridge hundreds of times
I am stunned by what has happened.
My thoughts and prayers go to everyone that has been
affected by this.
August 1st, 2007 at 11:48 pm
Thanks Noah for documenting this and helping us see what happened - hopefully some of this info will help us figure out how??
August 1st, 2007 at 11:58 pm
Incredible photos. You are indeed a hero.
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:13 am
[…] Noah’s been evacuated from his house after watching it collapse and pulling some people from the bridge […]
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:17 am
[…] Minneapolis’ WCCO has very good coverage of the collapse. This video is especially fascinating, particularly the wide-angle view starting about 2m 15s in. Then there’s the blog’s eye view (via T.S.). […]
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:27 am
Noah, good job: Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes, co-blogger at The Moderate Voice with Joe Gandelman. If you want a list of post-trauma protocol/ immediate things for people to do to minimize trauma, let me know at projectscreener@aol.com, and we’ll shoot it over to you for yourself and others. Dr. E was post-trauma specialist at Columbine High School after massacre, and also works with 9-11 survivors on both coasts. Be safe. Hang in there.
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:28 am
Aaron, good job. Hang in there. People out here in the Rockies are praying for all of you.
dr.e.
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:53 am
[…] Later note: Noah Kunin of the blog Blanked Out wrote it up after witnessing it and doing everything he could to help folks. Via Shakespeare’s Sister. […]
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:55 am
wow. glad you’re okay mate, and jumped to help people.
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:57 am
Catastrophic Bridge Collapse in Minneapolis…
Let the investigations begin on this catastrophic tragedy: 9 Dead, 60 Injured, 20 Missing after Dozens of Vehicles Plummet into River… Interstate Bridge Collapses Into Mississippi River in Minneapolis.
An eight-lane highway bridge clogged with …
August 2nd, 2007 at 4:03 am
[…] An astounding side story to this tragedy from blogger Noah Kunin on Blanked Out who reported soon after the collapse that part of the bridge came down on his warehouse apt building. […]
August 2nd, 2007 at 4:46 am
[…] The hyper-local blog reporter Yesterday, I spotted a headline in trade magazine Editor & Publisher about hyper-local reporting (registered subscribers only). Only hours later, here’s a dramatic case study to back it up. When a road bridge over the Mississippi in Minnesota collapsed last night, a blogger called Noah watched this human tragedy and engineering disaster happen. News reporting really has changed. […]
August 2nd, 2007 at 5:14 am
This was a crazy day. I also live a few blocks from where this thing came down, and went down to see it as quickly as I could after I heard. It saddened me how slow some of the pedestrians were crossing the street when directed like everything was normal. And how drivers were freaking out and weaving around police cars and ambulances. The crossing guard really had their work cut out for them, they were screaming constantly because passerbys kept messing up. I wrote my own little account of what I saw at my blog here: http://www.loflblog.com/2007/08/personal-observations-from-minneapolis.html
August 2nd, 2007 at 5:48 am
Hi Noah — just popping in after finding your blog on Lileks’ entry on buzz.mn and I had to say that I am praying for you and everyone around the site today. I’m sorry you’re displaced this morning. Your journal was also picked up by boston based “universal hub” so you may see a lot of my local fellow blogger/readers from this corner of the country checking in.
I hope you’re okay… shaken but not shaking any longer was a good description of how one feels with a little removal from an event. Hang in there. Be well. Know we’re all thinking about Minneapolis today as we work, and drive across bridges.
August 2nd, 2007 at 7:38 am
[…] Noah from blanked-out.com lives very close to the bridge Description of collapse: Surprisingly quiet, but my entire warehouse apt shook quite a bit. Bridge fell so very slowly - poof. Yelled and yelled but no one answered. Only a handful of ppl in water, all got out ok and then began to help as well. Ran into woman who thought school bus was trapped on east side in fold of highway. Couldn’t confirm it or get to the other bank to help. […]
August 2nd, 2007 at 8:59 am
I am stunned, this is so unbelievable. I pray for those who are affected.
August 2nd, 2007 at 9:14 am
My heart goes out to those injured and those who have lost loved ones. You have my sympathy.
And “Yes” we do not know what caused the bridge to collapse. My understanding is that several media are reporting that the bridge was “structurally deficient and in need of replacement” according to some federal inspection. Why was the maintenance on this bridge deferred? Why was it not replaced? I know, IT COST TOO MUCh MONEY. If Chimp hadn’t cut taxes and hadn’t wasted hundred of billions in Iraq, maybe, just maybe this tragedy could have been averted.
August 2nd, 2007 at 9:16 am
[…] Blanked-Out is a blog whose owner lives across the street from the collapsed bridge itself. Here is a first-hand account of what went on immediately after the incident. […]
August 2nd, 2007 at 9:28 am
Hi, Mr. Kunin. Glad you’re OK. A few minutes on the phone this morning, Thursday, would be terrific. Please e-mail or call at 612-227-1024. Any other eyewitnesses welcome as well. Thanks!
Marc Hequet
Time.com
August 2nd, 2007 at 9:28 am
E-Democracy.Org has set up a wiki to share links:
http://pages.e-democracy.org/35W
And video:
http://pages.e-democracy.org/35W_video
Steven Clift
August 2nd, 2007 at 9:29 am
[…] Noah lives right by the bridge and began updating his blog as events unfolded. His friend s4xton has been updating a flickr set […]
August 2nd, 2007 at 9:31 am
[…] Photo by Noah Kunin, who lives extremely close to the bridge. See his blog post for more info, or the rest of his photo set of the bridge collapse. […]
August 2nd, 2007 at 9:37 am
Thanks Noah and your team of friends for your effort to help people and your effort to report what is happening.
August 2nd, 2007 at 9:51 am
[…] Noah and his friends used flickr and a wordpress blog to report on the Mississippi river bridge collapse yesterday. It is a brilliant example of the power of web 2.0 technologies. […]
August 2nd, 2007 at 10:14 am
[…] For different angles & views than the common helicopter shots, a lot of photos are on flickr and also this blog. […]
August 2nd, 2007 at 10:28 am
Noah,
Glad to hear you’re alright. Pretty cool to jump down and help out. Let me buy you a drink at Drinking Liberally next time.
August 2nd, 2007 at 10:34 am
[…] Times like this I’m glad we don’t have teevee reception at our house. The glimpses I’ve had? The television coverage is just so abrasive and off-putting. Instead I’m getting updates from local blogs and vlogs, a message board, twitter, flickr, and NPR - but only in short bursts. Things are just going to go from bad to worse as the recovery efforts continue today. […]
August 2nd, 2007 at 10:58 am
These are great photos and comments. What is more important is that you know you and those that helped the victims are heroes.
August 2nd, 2007 at 11:23 am
[…] P.S. Some blog posts about the collapse: mnspeak.com/mnspeak/archive/post-3594.cfm www.captainsquartersblog.com/mt/archives/010703.php www.blanked-out.com/2007/08/01/35w-just-came-down-right-in-front-of-my-house/ minneapolis.metblogs.com/archives/2007/08/35w_bridge_coll.phtml […]
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:19 pm
[…] Still, one of the most compelling items I’ve seen so far is from the blogger who says “35W just came down right in front of my house.” This link is via MPR, which itself has been outstanding both on the air and on the internet. […]
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:26 pm
Wow… Thanks for the updates. It’s amazing to see the story from first-hand experience.
Your photos are great (great is not the best word–tragic is better–they really bring the experience home).
I’ll keep you all in my prayers.
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:17 pm
[…] Here is more on the I-35 bridge collapse by a guy who lives right by it. There is also an associated flickr photo pool with some horrifying photos of the devastation. Dear god its hard not to cry when you look at this. I rarely have nightmares but when I do, they usually involve falling from bridges. These are literally the images from my nightmares. Related Posts:Bridge of BirdsBridge In Minneapolis CollapsesAgile Bridge BuildingOctober BallChicago Weather […]
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:18 pm
Hope you’re able to return home very soon, Noah.
All those who jumped in to help bring new meaning to “Minnesota Nice.” It’s incredible.
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:42 pm
[…] BB reader Paul says, My friend Noah lives just beside the stretch of interstate 35w that collapsed last night in Minneapolis and was one of the first to get to the scene. He shot some amazing, harrowing photos: Link. […]
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:08 pm
[…] Here’s link to a local blog that is collecting news, accounts, first hand stories etc and is updated often. Flickr search for all pics tagged "minneapolis", "bridge", and "collapse." This person lives right next to the bridge and was there before emergency people showed up. His flickr set of the bridge. […]
August 2nd, 2007 at 3:17 pm
[…] Reading today about the I-35W bridge collapse, I am reeling with memories. It’s been years since I left, but I specifically associated that particular area, near the border between St. Paul and Minneapolis, with freedom. […]
August 2nd, 2007 at 3:27 pm
[…] BB reader Paul says, My friend Noah lives just beside the stretch of interstate 35w that collapsed last night in Minneapolis and was one of the first to get to the scene. He shot some amazing, harrowing photos: Link. […]
August 2nd, 2007 at 3:30 pm
Thank you for sharing these photos. You took a big risk here taking these pictures but you let those who can’t be there to see this first hand. Glad to see that you were not hurt by this. How many other brideges in Minnesota are unsafe to travel on? The video of the bridge collasping is haunting to see. It took less than 12 seconds for it to fall. Thanks again for sharing these photos.
August 2nd, 2007 at 5:13 pm
These photos are absolutely incredible, thank you for sharing them…
Oh also, I am watching you right now on msnbc, and for what it’s worth they missed the the dash in your domain name.
August 2nd, 2007 at 5:22 pm
Our government tells us to stay vigilant, keep an eye out for any abnormal behavior, report terrorists. Well, I say, forget that, that’s a waste of time. Keep an eye out for infrastructure. Stay alert to erosion and potholes and wear and tear. That’s what we should be reporting to the authorities.
August 2nd, 2007 at 5:30 pm
Great shots Noah. As I was looking at shots I was watching msnbc and saw you on the news. You did a wonderful thing helping out those in need.
August 2nd, 2007 at 5:50 pm
Hey guys — my co-worker here in San Francisco said she found this blog about the bridge collapse — and I about fainted when I realized I knew you! I hope you are all hanging in there. My thoughts go out to everyone there. I spoke with my parents and they are okay. Let me know if you need anything. ~ Gretchen Wolf
August 2nd, 2007 at 6:17 pm
I like them censored buffalo and antelope there in the banner. That’s quite funny. They remind me of this other site i know.
August 2nd, 2007 at 6:44 pm
Holy cow, I didn’t remember that there was any housing so close to the bridge. I’m so glad you’re safe, and bless you for helping those who you could.
August 3rd, 2007 at 12:33 am
Some of those pictures are eerily reminiscent of Hurricane Katrina.
August 3rd, 2007 at 7:00 am
[…] BB reader Paul says, My friend Noah lives just beside the stretch of interstate 35w that collapsed last night in Minneapolis and was one of the first to get to the scene. He shot some amazing, harrowing photos: Link. […]
August 3rd, 2007 at 9:13 am
Noah! Not that I know you, but I heard you on Future Tense on NPR this morning! Incredible pictures.
August 3rd, 2007 at 2:27 pm
Hey. These shots are really great and your writing is very compelling. I work for a local news station (we generate all our own content and serve only our community) and I’m wondering if you and/or Noah would be willing to chat with me about your experiences that day.
At the very least, we have started up a community slideshow and I’m hopingyou wouldn’t mind resubmitting these photos here: http://www.channel4000.com/news/13805341/detail.html
I hope to hear from you soon. Glad you’re okay.
Sincerely,
Shelby
August 3rd, 2007 at 10:21 pm
[…] Kunin provided some of the first blog coverage after the bridge’s collapse. If you don’t believe me, just look at some of the trackbacks on his breaking post. He also just did interviews with both Fox News and the Wall Street Journal. […]
August 4th, 2007 at 5:00 am
[…] L’autore del blog Blanked-Out descrive alla perfezione la tragedia, osservata dalla finestra della sua casa di fronte al ponte. Nella sua descrizione il ponte crolla lentamente, alla moviola, rallentato dalla percezione dell’autore che non riesce a credere a quanto sta accadendo […]
August 4th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
Minneapolis Bridge Collapse …
From Twitter tweets, to eyewitness blog posts, to Flickr photos and YouTube cell phone videos, to crowd sourcing collaborative reporting, citizen journalism played a significant and central role in the news coverage of the Highway 35W Minneapolis bridg…
August 4th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
Those photos are absolutely amazing, sorry you were there but glad you are okay….
August 5th, 2007 at 12:25 pm
[…] UPDATE: Leftyblogger “Noah” from “Blanked Out” lives in one of the buildings closest to the bridge, on the East Bank by the U of M. He gives his eyewitness account here. (Via Jay Reding) […]
August 16th, 2007 at 9:56 pm
god bless everyone whose been invovled,stay safe.
August 22nd, 2007 at 2:39 pm
Trying to get a grassroots memorial campaign going to honor those affected by this tragedy:
http://www.35WMemorial.com
August 30th, 2007 at 5:13 am
sad to see that picture but any relax and listen the new wave
http://www.oketube.com
September 27th, 2007 at 6:47 am
[…] Noah at Blanked Out was an eye witness…make sure to read his account of things. […]
October 15th, 2007 at 9:33 am
The summer of 97 my daughter walked the valley of death in Minneapolis, she had a brain tumor removed at U of M Fairview. During that trivail to get my mind off things I would cross the Franklin Ave bridge and travel upstream under the bridges to walk out on the Stone Arch Bridge to watch the locks operate and to get my mind off our walk.
Since then we have been back a couple times a year for checkups, in 06 a shunt failed and required replacement, and again this year, five more trips this year, the last being on July 6th to see Amos Lee at the Basilica Block Party, first time to Minneapolis without going to the hospital. I must have been half asleep after a 500 mile road trip from Mission, SD, when I took the U of M exit I ended up in the left lane and ended up crossing the I35 bridge with a graceful recovery and took the University exit back to Days Inn to check in before going to the concert. Thus I have been under the I35 bridge more than I have been over it. Our hearts go out to the people who suffered from the collapse, one victim was from Bonesteel, SD, just down the road from our home. Minneapolis will always have a special place in our heart. I can’t help but to dwell on how many bridges could be made safe with the billions we are spending on a war no one wants. Peace
August 1st, 2008 at 7:39 am
[…] about it, and spent the rest of the evening with the laptop on the couch. I spent a bunch of time relaying information from Noah Kunin and posting to his website on his behalf — Noah essentially lived under the […]