MO - Tornado Slams Joplin

[tlcya]

The hospital system owns and operates multiple EMS crews throughout southwest Missouri and was sending them to Joplin to assist.

Survivors are reporting more than 20 semi-trailer trucks have been blown over by the tornado. Television stations have been knocked off the air and radio stations are asking for help from anyone who can lend a hand. Victims are trapped in the rubble of houses and in cars.

The roofs of two city fire stations collapsed.



Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/05/22/2894308/tornado-strikes-joplin-mo.html#ixzz1N8im70hJ

 

[peeples]

I believe this is the WalMart at 15th and Rangeline. Rangeline is THE commercial street, 3 miles of businesses, always very busy.

Apt. building behind that walmart

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...208&type=1&theater&pid=32554587&id=1306851028

 

[tlcya]

http://www.morningsun.net/breaking/...rsonnel-to-Joplin-to-assist-with-storm-damage

"We are sending people," said Crawford County Sheriff Sandy Horton. "We aren't even waiting for calls, we are just getting crews ready and they are on the way."

He said that communication into Joplin was scarce and that personnel

in Crawford County could not make contact with those in Joplin or Jasper County.

"Usually you want to wait for the command structure to take hold, but we can't get anyone in their communications center," Horton said.

 

[wfgodot]

The Joplin Globe
Getting reports that an aid station has been set up where Home Depot was near 20th and Range Line.
http://www.facebook.com/joplinglobe

Five blocks south of the WalMart peeples posted above. The Home Depot was destroyed too, evidently.

 

[RLynne]

I have a lot of empathy for folks in Joplin tonight. My sister lives in a town in WI that got hit by a tornado tonight, and I was seeing pics online of damage very near her house (within 6 blocks) and she wasn't answering her phone. She finally just called me back, and they're fine (she said there's lots of damage nearby, and she thinks she heard/felt the air pressure change when the tornado went by--they also have no power, and they hooked the cordless phone up to the portable generator to call worried folks back). While I was pretty sure it was all ok (since everything I had found online seemed to indicate the tornado there was pretty mild, as far as those things go), I was pretty worked up.

My thoughts are really, really with folks in Joplin. The pleas for info on FB are pretty heartbreaking.

 

[peeples]

from facebook

we want everyone to know that the Lowes of Neosho is going to be open all night we do have a few generators, tarps and other storm related items.

 

[SuziQ]

I just saw this and ran to WS to see what y'all had. At the below link is a horrifying picture of the hospital. Death toll in Mo. at 24 so far. Prayers to everyone who has suffered this tornado season.

http://www.freep.com/article/201105...-Michigan?odyssey=mod|breaking|text|FRONTPAGE

 

[peeples]

Someone saying that the Frito lay plant was destroyed on Facebook

 

[tlcya]

Authorities have established an emergency aid station at Memorial Hall for the walking wounded.

The southwestern portion of town is nearly impassable by road from debris and smoke from fires amid the wreckage.

Police from several local law enforcement agencies have cordoned off northbound traffic on Main Street at 32nd Street, and eastbound traffic on 32nd, just hours after the storm flattened whole areas of the community.

Southbound traffic from Main to Maiden Lane is almost impassable due to debris from uprooted and downed lines. Police are also trying to restrict non-essential traffic in those areas so that emergency personnel can aid survivors.

A steady stream of ambulances from nearby counties and states were seen trying to make their way through the wreckage around St. John's.

http://www.joplinglobe.com/local/x433426155/Widespread-damage-reported-after-tornado

much more at link

 

[momtective]

Family in St. Louis area..been through Joplin many, many times. My most fervent prayers for the people of Joplin, SAR crews, EMS, and all others involved in this devastating situation.

 

[momtective]

OMGosh! The total devastation...

Slideshow
http://www.joplinglobe.com/local/x433426155/Widespread-damage-reported-after-tornado

 

[tlcya]

interesting pictures from a prior tornado that hit Joplin on May 5th back in the seventies

ETA todays seems so much more powerful

http://digital.library.umsystem.edu...rgn=full text;idno=joh000003;view=image;seq=1

 

[SuziQ]

Good updates at the below link. Here are just a few.

http://www.koamtv.com/story/14694117/tornados-strike-joplin

At the 15th and Rangeline Walmart ambulances lined the street as emergency rescue officials across the Four-States have responded to rescue hundreds of residents trapped inside the building.
St. John's hospital was also hit hard by the tornado. One resident living nearly 45-miles away from the hospital says his yard is now full of debris from the hospital-- medical supplies and x-rays.

 

[wfgodot]

Freeman Hospital is treating hundreds of people who have been injured, with many of them being transferred by ambulance and helicopter to hospitals out of the area.

http://www.joplinglobe.com/local/x433426155/Widespread-damage-reported-after-tornado

 

[Sleuthster]

CNN reporting 75% of the town is gone http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/05/22/severe.weather/index.html?hpt=T1&iref=BN1

This is so so bad.

 

[tlcya]

Ambulances lined the street as emergency rescue officials have responded to rescue hundreds of residents trapped inside in a Walmart and Lowe's.

Most of the damage was centered around Rangeline Road, which is a major commercial strip in Joplin. A Joplin radio station is reporting there is a fire raging next door to Joplin High School which is severely damaged.

Joplin mayor declared a state of emergency. He asked all city employees to report to work and for everyone else to stay off the roads.

http://www.newson6.com/story/14693976/tornado-levels-parts-of-south-joplin

 

[tlcya]

The State of Oklahoma has requested the EMSA Strike Team to respond to Joplin. They will have enough medical and rescue equipment to treat up to 150 patients for several days, according to a release.

http://www.newson6.com/story/14693976/tornado-levels-parts-of-south-joplin

Bless the state of Oklahoma!

 

[Herding Cats]

Prayers for all affected; may God hold and bless you.

Best-
Herding Cats

 

[Kimster]

What a nightmare! We are listening on the scanner in the private forum: http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133297&page=2

 

[SuziQ]

https://www.facebook.com/pages/KOAM...KOAM-TV-FOX14-TV-TELEVISION-CITY/102336081275
Poster asking about the Greenbriar Nursing home where her grandfather is. Posted response is 7 DOA, hit hard.