A VISIT TO JOPLIN, MO - SURVEYING THE AFTERNAMTH OF THE TORNADO

As I returned home from the family reunion in Newton, IA, the opportunity came to pass through Joplin, MO and see the tornado damage first hand. It'd been six weeks since the EF-4 rated tornado (the second-strongest classification with winds ranging between 166 and 200 mph) with a nearly mile-wide funnel blasted a six mile long path through the city.  I wanted to see both the devastation and the restoration efforts first-hand.

WELCOME TO JOPLIN!

 

RELIEF SUPPLIES AT JOPLIN FAMILY WORSHIP CENTER

Compared to hurricanes, tornadoes typically affect only a narrow and short region, though with much more severe damage due to the higher wind velocities.  Thus, when I first came off the interstate into Joplin, the only evidence of the disaster were tents in the parking lot of a local church.  These were piled high with relief supplies for sorting and distribution.  Traffic flowed normally down the main streets and businesses were open as usual.  It was a Lord's Day morning so many people were heading to church as I exited from interstate 44 onto the business loop.

DAMAGED SUBSTATION

Downtown Joplin seemed quiet and normal as I cruised around looking for the damages areas.  News reports had described 25-30% of the city as damaged, but none of that was apparent at street level where I was.  

Eventually I came across a large tent in a parking lot where relief volunteers from Austin, TX were holding a worship service.  I asked a youth from Round Rock, TX who wore a yellow safety vest if he knew where the damage was.  He politely directed me south to 22nd street where I saw the damage for the first time.

STRIPPED CONVENIENCE STORE

 My first sight of the damage was the remains of a convenience store that had been stripped to the steel framework.  I had seen hurricane damage from Katrina, Rita and Ike, but nothing like this before.    And there was more to come.

 Driving through the residential area I saw many homes, garages and other buildings in various states of damage from windows blown out to foundations stripped clean and everything in between.

DAMAGED RESIDENCE

The death toll was reported at 153.  I could believe it.  At best, the residents had 20 minutes warning from the tornado sirens (unless they'd been watching the weather reports).  I read that at St. John's Regional Medical Center it was barely five minutes warning. Five patients died, all from a power failure that shut down their respirators.  Considering that two whole floors were blown away and all the windows lost, that's remarkable with only five minutes warning. Perhaps if the generator had been in the basement as was the case with Phoebe Sumpter Regional Hospital, it would have been better.  

The hospital fared better than most buildings directly in the tornado's path.  Homes, businesses, schools and churches alike suffered from the storm.   It's destructive force was applied equally in all cases.  However, some recovered better than others.  I came across a humble nail salon that had been completely rebuilt in the six weeks since the storm and was open again for business.  Amazing!

One lesson I learned from examining the pattern of destruction is that there were only two safe places when a the tornado strikes: elsewhere and below ground level.  I think when I have a place of my own it will include an underground tornado shelter.

WORK CREW REMOVING DEBRIS

A month and a half later the signs of recovery were quite apparent.  Streets, sidewalks and parking areas were clear of debris.  Power and communications are mostly restored and traffic lights are working again so traiffic is flowing smoothly through the area.  Work crews are all around, even on a Sunday morning, demolishing ruined buildings and hauling away debris.

FLAG DISPLAY - US AND US ARMY RETIRED

The signs of recovery are good as is the spirit of the community.  Volunteers are frequently seen, especially at the local, undamaged churches. Signs are everywhere advertizing firms to remove debris, rebuild and rent or sell homes to the displaced.  The construction firms are especially active; for one representative even stopped me and offered his services.  I had to point to my Texas license plate and explain that I was just passing through.  It seems there's plenty of work here for quite awhile. On numerous lots various flags were displayed to reassure the public that faith in God and America is still strong here too.

DESTROYED STRIP MALL

It's an ill wind that blows no one any good.  It's a clear tragedy for those who died or suffered loss.  God only knows how that will be resolved.  The insurance companies and the taxpayers are surely suffering too.   However, it means work for many, renewal for the damaged districts and a huge opportunity for the scrap metal business.

TRUCKLOAD OF STUMPS BEING REMOVED

I also wondered what will be done with many tons of scrap wood being removed.  It would be tragic if it were landfilled.  It could be recycled into gas, charcoal and potash, all valuable for energy and agriculture.  I hope some thoughtful official or engineer will arrange for such a project.

In an interesting twist, the Home Depot hardware store was destroyed in the storm and had resumed business under a tent.  It is appropriate that such a store would be among the first to rebuild and will surely do well in the rebuilding cycle.  I also noted that the Lowes hardware store was undamaged and also doing steady business.  I can't say for sure if there's a correspondence, but I do imagine that former chain's support for homosexual activism could have brought divine wrath closer to home and spared their competitor.

LOWE'S RESUMES BUSINESS IN TENT

HOUSE FOR SALE - JOPLIN MO