I was in Dominica on vacation with volunteer friends when my phone rang, it was mom. Mom calling my phone was normal, especially because she knew I was away from my island and assumed she was just checking in. Instead, I could hear in her voice devastation as she informed me the town that I grew up in was demolished by an F-5 tornado. My family was safe and sound, having missed the path of destruction by a mile, but many of my friends were unaccounted for. Desperation is the only way to describe the coming hours as I frantically tried to phone each and every friend whose number I knew off the top of my head. Phone lines were down, electricity out and no internet available. I was helpless.
Being thousands of miles away from the town I call home has been hard enough, but now I simply feel guilty that I went away and continue to be away while my friends struggle to pick up the pieces of their lives, one brick or board at a time. This tornado is the worst recorded tornado since recording began in the 50's. The tornado couldn't of picked a worse path of destruction, included in the path were Home Depot, Lowe's, Walmart Supercenter, Pizza Hut, The Plaza Apartments and densely populated residential housing areas. The current death toll stands at 129, with the list of still missing people raising to over 200. My heart sinks as I realize I will know and recognize many peoples names as I bring myself to read the list.
Our town is devastated and people are still in shock with what has hit our small community. But what keeps me inspired and in love with my town is the shear dedication to helping in any possible way. Friends, family and neighbors are pitching in their time and effort to ensure Joplin will be rebuilt, stronger and better this time. We can't bring back the lives lost in this tragedy, but we can remember where we came from, collect our belongings and move forward. I'm proud to call Joplin, Missouri my home.
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| St. Mary's Catholic Church, a church I attended many times. |
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| St. John's Hospital, where my aunt and many other friends work. |
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| Joplin High School. So many memories made in this place. |
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| Walmart, where my Goddaughter was pulled safely from the rubble. |
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| F-5 tornado that was 3/4 of a mile wide. |
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