Patrick Trier, Army Corps of Engineers, supervises debris removal in Joplin, Mo. after the May 22 tornado. Photo by Nancy K. Lane-Missouri National Guard
The streets have been cleared. The debris are being cleaned up. The losses have been counted. Two weeks after an EF5 tornado ripped through the heart of their city, the people of Joplin, Missouri look to the future.
Debris removal begins in Joplin, Mo. after the May 22 tornado. Photo by Nancy K. Lane-Missouri National Guard
141 people are reported to have died as a result of the tornado. 100 remain in the Red Cross shelter at Missouri Southern University. 32 Missouri State Police officers remain in the city assisting the Jasper County Sheriff and the Joplin police.
Missouri Gas Energy reports that it continues to cap natural gas lines in the remain 16 grids of the original 40. Empire Electric reports that every customer who can be restored, has been. They have an additional 7,000 plus outages that cannot be repaired at this time.
Up to date information on the Joplin tornado can be found at:
Pvt. First Class Jesus Ramos, 1139th Military Police Co., Missouri Army National Guard, directs traffic at a storm-damaged intersection near St. John’s Mercy Hospital here on Tuesday. Ramos, from Harrisonville, Mo., is part of a Guard contingent mobilized to assist local law enforcement with traffic control and other duties in the wake of Sunday’s devastating storm that left more than 116 people dead. Ramos said he just completed 2 weeks of state emergency flood duty in Mississippi County before being transferred here to assist with rescue and recovery efforts. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jon E. Dougherty, 70th Mobile Public Affairs Det.
Five days after an EF5 tornado carved a swath of destruction through the heart of Joplin, Missouri, the city continues to dig out and plan its recovery. Two sweeps through the affected area have been completed by search and rescue teams using cadaver dogs. Five areas have been identified for further investigation. 126 deaths are currently being reported, with 6,800 homes destroyed.
The list of the missing hovers around 250 names at this time but many of these people appear to have just been out of contact. Media reporters were able to locate several of them easily when they investigated the list. Joplin officials have repeatedly asked residents to contact authorities and verify their safety. Update: 156 missing on list, 90 found.
Restoration of utilities continues. Empire Electric is reporting that 8-10,000 sites that may be without electric for some weeks. They have already replaced over 1,000 poles. The natural gas company, MGE, is working on a grid format in Joplin, ensuring that supply lines are capped while clearing and recovery operations are conducted. Of 40 grid squares, less than 16 remain to be made safe.
EMS command was closed on Thursday, May 26. St. John’s Hospital remains badly damaged and open to a limited number of seriously ill patients at this time. The hospital will open a mobile hospital on Saturday, May 28.
The National Weather Service has upgraded its rating of the tornado that tore through the center of Joplin Missouri just after 5 pm on Sunday. The storm, with winds in excess of 200 mph, has been rated an EF5.
The latest toll for the monster twister is 122 deaths, 1,500 plus injured, and hundreds still unaccounted for. The six mile path through the city of Joplin varied from one half to three quarters of a mile wide.
Click on map to go to a larger view at Japer County's site
217 Missouri National Guard soldiers are supporting the local and state efforts according to the 1 pm state situation report. Utilities are slowly being restored to areas not directly affected by the tornado. Cellular service remains spotty.
Pvt. First Class Jesus Ramos, 1139th Military Police Co., Missouri Army National Guard, directs traffic at a storm-damaged intersection near St. John’s Mercy Hospital here on Tuesday. Ramos, from Harrisonville, Mo., is part of a Guard contingent mobilized to assist local law enforcement with traffic control and other duties in the wake of Sunday’s devastating storm that left more than 116 people dead. Ramos said he just completed 2 weeks of state emergency flood duty in Mississippi County before being transferred here to assist with rescue and recovery efforts. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jon E. Dougherty, 70th Mobile Public Affairs Det.
The Joplin Globe continues its fine work reporting the disaster in its city. The city conducted a siren test this morning and all but one were functional. One siren is missing and its replacement will be installed on Wednesday. Generators are being put into place to provide power to them, as they are on battery power at this time.
The Missouri Air National Guard has begun to provide assistance in the stricken city. One crew has been flying VIPs over the city. They have not been called upon for additional duties at this time.
Missouri National Guard Soldiers with the 294th Engineer Company work search and rescue missions in Joplin, Mo., just hours after a deadly tornado passed through. Photo by Ann Keyes/Missouri National Guard
At a news conference this afternoon, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon announced 116 deaths from the tornado yesterday in Joplin. There have been seven successful rescues today from the rubble of the center of this southwestern Missouri community.
The Missouri National Guard has over 250 soldiers in Joplin. Trained search and rescue units, military police and engineering units are all active. The Joplin armory is expected to be up and running tomorrow as the task force headquarters for the Guard response. 450 additional Guardsmen are on standby for deployment to Joplin, and will be dispatched as the needs of the community dictate.
Joplin is the headquarters of the 203rd Engineering Battalion, and two companies of its troops. The Missouri National Guard had this to say about the status of their Joplin soldiers:
While some Soldiers under the 203rd Engineer Battalion are currently working on our tornado response mission, we remind everyone that for our Soldiers and Airmen in the Joplin area, their first responsibility is ensuring the health and well-being of their Families. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone in southwest Missouri.
89 deaths are being reported as morning dawns in Joplin, Missouri. A tornado’s six mile path of destruction through the heart of this southwestern Missouri community has taken a toll. Over 2,000 buildings are damaged, many collapsed, and the death toll will rise.
The local newspaper is the Joplin Globe. Their Facebook page has current information.
The Joplin tornado was described as being about one-half mile wide when it touched down just west of 20th and McClellan at about 5:41 p.m. Sunday. It reportedly grew to as much as three-quarters of a mile wide, before returning to about a half-mile in width and lifting up or dissipating at 20th and Prosperity Road. The track was about 4 miles long, heavily damaging residences, businesses, schools and apartment complexes. This is a densely populated section of the central city and estimates are that 10-30 percent of the city of Joplin had been damaged or destroyed, or approximately 2,000 structures.
Missouri National Guard Soldiers with the 294th Engineer Company work search and rescue missions in Joplin, Mo. Photo by Ann Keyes/Missouri National Guard
Gov. Jay Nixon this evening activated the Missouri National Guard in response to tornadoes and severe storms that moved through the state earlier this evening. The storms have caused significant destruction in multiple areas, including Joplin, where a tornado struck St. John’s Regional Medical Center.
The Governor has declared a state of emergency in Missouri and activated the State Emergency Operations Center. State and local law enforcement agencies, including fire mutual aid, are coordinating search and rescue and recovery operations. The Missouri State Highway Patrol also is deploying troopers from other regions to support local officers in southern Missouri. Specialized emergency response teams, including Missouri’s Disaster Medical Assistance Team 1 (MO-1 DMAT) are deploying to the area to provide aid and assistance.
“These storms have caused extensive damage across Missouri, and they continue to pose significant risk to lives and property,” Gov. Nixon said. “As a state, we are deploying every agency and resource available to keep Missouri families safe, search for the missing, provide emergency medical care, and begin to recover. I have ordered the Missouri National Guard to deploy Citizen-Soldiers and assets to support local law enforcement agencies with emergency coordination and recovery, and other state assets have been mobilized to provide emergency support as well. I urge Missourians to keep a close eye on the latest weather information and to follow the instructions and warnings of emergency personnel as these deadly storms continue to move through our state.”
Missourians who need disaster information, shelter information or referrals are urged to call 211. The 211 service number is now available for most areas in Missouri. In areas where the 211 number is not operational, citizens can call 800-427-4626. Weather and emergency information also are available on the state of Missouri’s website, MO.gov.
The Weather Channel had a crew of storm chasers close enough to travel to Joplin. Mike Bettes and his crew were there early in the aftermath and have been reporting ever since. Their videos can be seen on the Weather Channel site.
