Prayers For Joplin

[hoglaw]

On of the lawyers in my firm and I took off yesterday morning to head up there with all the bottled water, work gloves, and tarps we could fit in my truck. We read that they were asking folks to stay away and just head to one of the universities up there. We tried that but no one seemed to know what was going on, so I typed in Academy Sports in my phone (unfamiliar with the area) and took the side streets to get there. I've never seen anything like it. I can't imagine how you even start to clean up the devastation or rebuild all of that. We heard kids celbrating when they found their favorite toys in the rubble. We saw the police arresting two guys that we can only assume were trying to loot the Academy wreckage.

Anyway, we went to one of the command centers and dropped off our load there. I talked to the fireman in charge and told him we were willing to help in any way needed, but there were so many men standing around just waiting to be told what to do we figured we'd get out of the way. I know my Rotary club and a bunch of other organizations are rounding up supplies to send that way, so I figure the best thing my firm can do to contribute would be to volunteer our time up there for a couple of days helping folks with filling out paperwork for relief claims and insurance claims...something like that. It's just an idea, but I've got quite a few lawyers who would be willing to donate their time if anyone can help us figure out how to be useful.

[stlfisher]

I was in Joplin when the tornado sirens went off. The radio said the tornado was heading down 32nd street, which is where we were, so we headed north along Rangeline. We didn't know that we were actually heading right into its path,it was coming straight toward us. We managed to get ahead of the storm and out of it's path.

We did have another big scare. Our granddaughter was staying with her father who lived on 26th street when the tornado went through. We could not get in touch with them so my wife and I took off to look for them. I have to say that I have never seen anything like this before in my life. We ended up on Main street just trying to go south. From Walgreens south it looked like a nuclear bomb had gone off. Landmarks were gone. No buildings standing more than a couple of feet high. Piles of rubble and smashed cars along what used to be a busy city street. Less than 2 hours after the tornado had totally destroyed a huge portion of the city, portable triag units had been set up and were treating the walking wounded. Others were being transported by people who had voluteered to take them to the hospital and Memorial Hall. Unspeakable destruction. We were in shock at what we witnessed. We were only able to get to within 2 blocks of where our granddaughter was staying and with out a flashlight we could get no further. We decided to go back to our daughters house and wait. After starting out at 8:00PM we got back to her house at about 11:00PM to find our granddaughter had been taken there by her school principle. Minor cuts and bruises were her only injuries. Her father suffered many more injuries because when the storm hit he covered her with his body, most likely saving her life, when the roof and ceiling collapsed with some landing on his back. He is still in the hospital but is doing good.

Had I not seen the destruction for myself I would never have believed it. The photos don't do justice to what happened here in Joplin.

My home has been without electricity since the storm or I would have posted something sooner.

As of today help is pouring in from all corners. Thanks to all who have helped by donating supplies and labor.

Man Buzz that sounds like a very scary experience. Glad your family is safe and doing well.

[ollie]

Buzz, glad you and your family are alright. That would have been scary indeed. Hoglaw, I think you have a good idea or are at least on the right track.

[woodman]

Buzz I know the feeling. Any who have been through it can only know the feeling.....

I was only 4 yrs. old when the 57 tornado hit Ruskin Heights.. My dad tried to outrun it in a 50 Ford convertible and we ended up in front of Ruskin High School (Direct hit). It started to pick our car up dad unlatched the top and it ripped off dad pulled me from the back seat and under the dash...a pile of brick from the school fell into the back seat where I would have been. Dad,Mom,my baby sister and I survived...Our house was untouched and less than a 1/4 mile from the path....

One never forgets....

[denjac]

Is that what's left of St. Pauls? It's hard for me to tell which church that was. Glad to see you check in Denjac.

Yes, St. Pauls

[fishinSWMO]

I'm glad your safe Buzz. I work Sundays unfortunately, so I

was at work when it came thru. Don't want to experience that

again. Luckly everyone made it unharmed, blew in a lot of the

large overhead doors and ripped off sections of the roof.

Everyone crouched down in the concrete pits that we have

to inspect trucks from underneath. When the roof and doors

went it was a little unreal feeling, luckily we were just on the

edge of it, could have been much worse. Had a crane out there

today putting 29 trailers back right side up that were tossed around.

My boys were at my parents in Joplin, so I was worried about

them and left work as soon as the storm passed. I had no idea

how bad the rest of town was so I just hit rangeline and headed

north. That was the worst feeling driving along and seeing it go

like yep that's tornado damage to looking like a bomb went off.

Some how I made it all the way north to zora and found my

boys safe and got them home to my worried wife.

Thanks to all the people helping or praying for the victims of

this disaster.

[Jbrant]

Those are some amazing stories - I can't even imagine. Thoughts and prayers to all in Joplin, they've still got a long road ahead.

[ollie]

Hey, has anyone heard from Wily? He lives and works in Joplin. Check in bud and let us know you are ok.

[Buzz]

Good to hear you and your boys are safe Jeremy.

[Buzz]

Hey, has anyone heard from Wily? He lives and works in Joplin. Check in bud and let us know you are ok.

I was wondering about him too???????