Capitol Calling
Missouri's irreverent and vital news source.
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My staff and I are regularly communicating with Joplin officials to make sure that they’re getting the immediate help they need. The federal government has committed resources to help Missouri communities recover from crippling flood and tornado damage, and I expect that commitment to be fulfilled expeditiously. Recovery from hurricane damage on the East Coast must not come at the expense of Missouri’s rebuilding efforts. If FEMA can’t fulfill its promise to our state because we have other disasters, that’s unacceptable, and we need to take a serious look at how our disaster response policies are funded and implemented.Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo.
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Days ago I walked the streets of Joplin. I saw construction projects where rubble had been, I saw parks where trees had toppled, and I saw a community trying to heal and rebuild — I didn’t see any camera trucks. I warned FEMA and assured victims in Joplin that they would not be forgotten after the camera trucks lowered their antennas and rolled out of town, I will fight to make sure that promise is kept. FEMA should be prepared for all types of disasters and have the resources to respond rapidly and stay until the work is done, and until the community is made whole again.Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., reacting to news that FEMA payments for Missouri disaster recovery will be delayed.
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[Photo on the right is a sculpture in Webb City, Missouri, which is close to Joplin.]Here is the latest information on the devastating tornado that hit Joplin. As of this morning, at least 89 people died in the natural disaster.
From the AP:
City manager Mark Rohr announced the number of known dead at a pre-dawn news conference outside the wreckage of a hospital that took a direct hit from Sunday’s storm. Rohr said the twister cut a path nearly six miles long and more than a half-mile wide through the center of town, adding that tornado sirens gave residents about a 20-minute warning before the tornado touched down on the city’s west side.
Much of the city’s south side was leveled, with churches, schools, businesses and homes reduced to ruins.
Fire chief Mitch Randles estimated that 25 percent to 30 percent of the city was damaged, and said his own home was among the buildings destroyed as the twister swept through this city of about 50,000 people some 160 miles south of Kansas City.
“It cut the city in half,” Randles said.
An unknown number of people were injured in the storm, and officials said patients were scattered to any nearby hospitals that could take them.
And here’s more from Eli Yokely, who resides near Joplin:
The scene on the ground is simply catastrophic. On Rangeline Road south of Seventh Street, the Academy Sports store, Wal Mart Supercenter, and Home Depot have all been flattened. The Plaza Apartments on 15th street have also been destroyed. Additionally, parts of Joplin High School have been damaged, and the Franklin Technology Center has been completely destroyed.
On the southernmost part of Joplin, a fire and significant damage caused St. Johns Regional Medical Center to be evacuated. A reporter for KSNF-TV reported a makeshift morgue has been set up in the area.
President Barack Obama released the following statement on the Joplin tornado:
Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to the families of all those who lost their lives in the tornadoes and severe weather that struck Joplin, Missouri as well as communities across the Midwest today. We commend the heroic efforts by those who have responded and who are working to help their friends and neighbors at this very difficult time. At my direction, FEMA is working with the affected areas’ state and local officials to support response and recovery efforts, and the federal government stands ready to help our fellow Americans as needed.
Meanwhile, more severe weather is expected to hit the region.
Individuals who want to help the people of Joplin are encouraged to go to this Web site. Sen. Roy Blunt’s office posted emergency resources on this Web page.
My thoughts and prayers go out to everybody in the area.
