Joplin still recovering after devastating tornado

Recently, my family and I took a road trip from our home in Louisiana to Buchanan, Michigan. On our way there, we passed through the small town of Joplin, Missouri. 

On May 22, the city of 48,000 was devastated by a massive tornado. It ripped through Joplin with 166-mile-per-hour winds. And when the storm ended, it left 25 percent of the town damaged in a one-mile-wide, four-miles-long path of destruction.

Months later, Joplin is still recovering. Driving through the city, my family and I saw the scale of destruction first hand. It was an unforgettable experience. While I was in the part of Joplin hit by the tornado, I felt surrounded — stuck, even — in the debris and literally broken homes. The scope of the damage is unimaginable.

Who knew a tornado like this was possible? Writing about the experience of visiting Joplin is very challenging for me. I get very emotional thinking of how a family’s whole life can change in a split second. I took photos when I was in Joplin, but no picture can capture how amazingly large this event was. Damage goes on farther than the human eye can see! There were many, many damaged homes, and I was able to walk through a few.

One house seemed to be a normal family’s home, but there was something special about it. Quite a few items remained. There was a refrigerator in the living room with items like eggs, chocolate syrup, hot sauce, and, believe it or not, an unopened six-pack of Diet Coke! These everyday items looked normal — expect they were covered in dirt and debris. Also in the kitchen, on the counter, were three tubs of peanut butter. The couches in the house were turned upside down, but shoes were completely undamaged. 

Joplin has been through more than pictures can show or words can express. Many people survived, and some people even escaped the wrath of the storm. But everyone in Joplin will always remember May 22, 2011 — the day disaster struck their town.

—Kid Reporter Tori Feaster

Photo: A truck sits upside down in a house that was destroyed by the May 22 tornado. (Courtesy Tori Feaster) 

Comments

[d]

Omg this is so sad I hope that Joplin gets better.

[j]

I'm sorry for those who lost their houses.

[k]

That is sad

[E]

I feel so sad for you.I Hope you and your family are ok.

[c]

Wow that was a realLy bad tornado. Well I hope that everything gets better at Joplin becuase it destroyed lots of homes and I know the families that lost theire homes felt sad for losing their homes.

[Unknown Author]

this is a barren wasteland

[L]

I hope they recover their lives even though it's been months since the terrible tornado happened. If I was there I would be very paranoid for the rest couple of months.

[J]

I hope the peoelp were fine after tornado.

[m]

Did Jolin look like a wasteland?

[l]

Did you think it was inevitable before that had happened?

[O]

I have been through a tornado before, it was very scary.

[b]

I feel sooo sorry for Joplin's loss of people. I hope that the people are ok. This was such a tragedy. Recover soon.

[M]

I am happy you are ok now. Your story inspired me.

[J]

I have been in a small tornado attack. It took a chunk off my house. But I have never seen somthing like this.

[M]

After the Earthquack, was there scarcity of food?

[ta]

Were there surviors after the deadly tornado?

[d]

Im sorry Lots of people died in the tornado.

[A]

How many people died in the Joplin tornado?

[ed]

i feel so sorry for all those people who lost there homes and familys