Small Town Disaster. Tornado Goes Through Downtown.
Community
On April 5 2017 an EF-2 came roaring through the small city in Southwest MO where I live . It totally destroyed the elementary school and two of our three small fire stations, and multiple houses and businesses. My family and property was unscathed for the most part, we were very blessed.
We had just started to check on our house and animals when the call came in. As a volunteer fire fighter I was immediately dispatched out for search and rescue. When I arrived at the bank where we set up our make shift command post not only did I see the other volunteer fire fighters from my town, but I saw dozens of trained and untrained volunteers from my town and other surrounding areas. The help kept on pouring in from all the neighboring towns, big and small. It was one of the most impressive things I have seen first hand.
As a new Missourian there was something I was missing, a since of fear and stress in the air that was not effecting me.
In 2011 a catastrophic EF5-rated multiple-vortex tornado struck Joplin, Missouri, on a Sunday afternoon.
Overall, the tornado killed 158 people, injured some 1,150 others, and caused damages amounting to a total of $2.8 billion. It was the deadliest tornado to strike the United States since the 1947. This tragedy came back full circle in the memory of most the people that came out to help. Almost everyone in the area was effected by that 2011 tornado in some manner.
Volunteers with and without first responder or triage experience desperately tried to help the severely injured, and crews of volunteers searched for missing people. Many had to help load and carry body bags themselves.
With the massive amount of volunteers coming in we started going door to door checking on and accounting for every single resident. In three hours time everyone was accounted for, and not a single person was seriously injured or lost.
The tornado left over 8,000 of us without power, but thankfully because of all the hard work and volunteers most of the power was back up the following evening.
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2011 - is that when Pierce City got their downtown wiped off the map? The Red Cross was on TV offering to help locate loved ones for you, so I called. They hit me up for donations... I said "Can you find out if my sister is alive" and they said no, they had no way to do anything like that. Then asked me for money again.
Sadly I know too much about the Red Cross. Good people volunteering for a BAD organization... and most Americans thinking they can watch the game because FEMA and the Red Cross are taking care of the emergency.
No it was the Joplin Tornado
In 2011 a catastrophic EF5-rated multiple-vortex tornado struck Joplin, Missouri, on a Sunday afternoon.
Ah, yep. 2003... time flies when your becoming a fogey...
That’s a great question. Maybe we figure that most people don’t need any help? Or we’re too scared to ask for/give out help. Then when a tradegy happens, there’s no time or need to think, just act.
Emergencies are huge obvious needs for help I guess. No questions if people want/need it. That makes sense.
More than ever we have begun to truly "love our neighbor" in tangible ways. If everyone would just try it on their road/community, people would be taking care of people. I'm sure technology and fear have a huge effect on many. We need to reach out and extend those arms in loving, real ways.
Yes it starts on your own street I agree. When we moved here the neighbors never even talk it was so strange to me. We are now all helping each other with projects and getting along.
Thank you for your service. Volunteer fire fighters often don't get the respect they deserve.
Thats very kind of you to say Thank you very much.
It is sad
Thanks for the info
If we all would simply follow the commandments this earth would be a much more pleasant place.
So very true! Thank you
Touching, resiliency is the best in the aftermath of any disaster which your community was able to achieve. I am proud and happy with the way your community responded.