Christian County CERT

Those of you who know me, know that I am very proud to be CERT trained and affiliated with the Christian County CERT group. I want to do more, but I am glad to have been able to go down to Joplin and help in some way. Here is a News Leader article explaining what it is that our team did to help out in Joplin, MO.

Team Responds To Joplin Disaster

Emergency Services Audio From Joplin MO Tornado 5/22/11

This thirty six minute audio is from Jasper County emergency services during and after the tornado went through town.

Joplin MO Tornado Footage - Before, During and After

Video from before, during and after the EF-5 tornado ripped through Joplin, MO on May 22, 2011. Please understand, many more lives are saved when spotters report in and people know there is a tornado on the ground. Jeff and Kathryn Piotrowski were on this storm and repeatedly called in warnings and begged law enforcement to sound the sirens. This is heartbreaking...

3D Animation of Joplin, MO EF-5 Multi-Vortex Tornado on May 22, 2011

The National Climatic Data Center has posted an article on Spring 2011 climate extremes. It contains good information on the May 22, 2011 Joplin, MO EF-5 tornado. An AMAZING video with a 3D breakdown of the Joplin multi-vortex tornado is included.

This is easily the most incredible weather related forensic graphic I have ever seen!

God bless Joplin.

May 22, 2011 Joplin, MO Tornado Survey - NWS

The National Weather Service office in Springfield, MO has updated the survey report of the May 22, 2011 EF-5 tornado in Joplin, MO. There is quite a bit of information, with tabs at the top of the report for each section.

Good News From Joplin, MO!

In the midst of the "missing" list being posted, some good news has come out of Joplin, MO! The very first person on the list is ALIVE!!!! This according to ABC News!

"Sally Adams, 75, said neighbors rescued her Sunday after the storm destroyed her house and took her to a friend's home. When The Associated Press told Adams she was on the missing list, she laughed and said "Get me off of there!"

I want to hug this woman for some reason...

New Before/After Aerial Photos of Joplin, MO Tornado Devastation

Here is a link to the New York Times story that has an interactive before and after slider with aerial photos from Joplin, MO. The photos showing damage from the May 22, 2011 tornado are heartbreaking. There is one big photo, and options at the top to pick specific areas.

God bless everyone touched by this disaster.

Before and After Photos of Joplin, MO 5/22/11 Tornado

Here are before and after pics. The Home Depot and Walmart pictures are just insane...

Joplin Tornado Rated EF-5 - Latest May 22, 2011 Joplin, MO Tornado Stats

The tornado that ripped through Joplin has been upgraded to the largest Enhanced Fujita Scale rating of EF-5. The winds were above 200 MPH.

This is the deadliest tornado since modern record keeping started at the National Weather Service. It is now ranked as the 8th deadliest in history.

As of the evening of 5/24/11, 122 have been confirmed killed. About 1500 are missing, but due to communication issues, that number should come down quite a bit as people report in.

Google Map Of May 22, 2011 Joplin MO Tornado Path

View Joplin, MO Tornado in a larger map

Unofficial Joplin Tornado Stats As Of Monday Night

EF-4 with winds up to almost 200 MPH

3/4 miles wide

6 mile path

116 dead

400 injured

Another Aerial View Of The Joplin, MO 5/22/11 Tornado Damage

Storm Chaser Footage From Joplin, MO 5/22/2011

Joplin, Missouri Devastated By Tornado

The city of Joplin was pummeled by a very large tornado earlier this evening. The massive amounts of information that continue to stream in at this hour is so patchwork that it is hard to decipher facts from rumors. We is what I can confirm or let you know that local media is reporting:

* Nearly 75% of the community of over 40,000 was impacted by the storm.

* The city has been declared a local emergency disaster area by the mayor.

* The latest casualty number (and I urge that this will likely increase) is at 25 as of this blog post.

* St. John's Hospital was hard hit. The building was evacuated. Critically injured are being transported to Freeman Hospital, while the walking wounded were being advised to head to Memorial Hall. That triage location is full so McAuley High School has been opened to handle the overflow.

* All available medical help in the area is being urged to come to Joplin to assist. All others (including sightseers and gawkers) are urged to stay out!

* Joplin Public Schools will be closed tomorrow. The high school sustained a direct hit from the tornado.

There is the potential for severe weather tomorrow as well. The Storm Prediction Center has already issued a moderate risk for storms.

You should stay tuned to local weather forecasts. Make sure your NOAA All Hazards Radio is on and backed up by battery. If you don't own a NOAA All Hazards Radio, you should. Click the link for a previous blog post on selecting one.

Additional updates will be made to this blog as time permits. In the meantime, please check out The Joplin Globe and other local media outlets for the latest information.

Tornado Victim Finds Missing Cat During Interview

If this story doesn't warm your heart, or maybe even bring a tear to your eye... I don't know what will. Not the fact she found her cat, but the fact that when she did, she felt like she had everything she cared about even though she lost her possessions in the storm. Bless her heart...