JOPLIN MO

[mattmcdonald]

I went to Joplin Mo today it is worse than anyone can imagine for those who dont know an ef4 tornado hit and ripped right thru down town if anyone lives within driving distance they can use any avalible hands they can get even if its just for one day these people lost everything they own last i heard 120 died and 300 still missing

[Don Stokes]

Matt, the company I work for has an office there, and thankfully all of our people survived, and none of them lost their homes. My boss and best friend Jeff and his son have been helping out, taking iced drinks into the destroyed area and generally helping any way he could. He told me yesterday that he can no longer do that, because the National Guard has taken over and you can't get into the destroyed area without a permit.

One of our employees was only two blocks away from total destruction.

BTW, the tornado was upgraded to EF5. Over 200 mph. Jeff said bark was ripped off of trees, and grass pulled out of the ground. Whole neighborhoods were wiped clean to ground level. I've spent a lot of time up there, and much of the area I was familiar with is just plain gone. Jeff has told me some heart-wrenching stories from the first couple of days, when he and his son rode their side-by-side ATV into the area to help. He's had medical training, and was able to help some folks that needed it badly. Joplin will never be the same.

[Doc Nock]

Those of us in areas where floods or tornadoes are not common, cannot fathom the extent of damage.

I received some pictures of flooded areas recently where whole mid-west towns were under water and the cry was raised, "where is the media and all the hoopla for these poor people?"

Indeed!   :(    Such inequity within media reporting and reality of needs.

My heart goes out. My mind cannot begin to comprehend, but my heart aches none the less.

Prayer for God's mercy upon these folks that they will feel His presence strongly amdist the loss.

[Don Stokes]

Most of the 1500 people reported missing earlier this week have been accounted for, but there are still over 200 that haven't been found. That's on top of around 125 confirmed dead.