Joplin, Sedalia decimated by tornadoes
by MizzMatt 5/26/11
Joplin, MO- Devastation for miles. Thousands affected. Tens of thousands without a home. Joplin, Missouri was hit by the largest kind of tornado, an EF5. The twister hit Joplin head-on on May 22, destroying nearly 75% of the town of about 50,000. The high school was leveled, along with Wal-Mart and Home Depot. To my knowledge, only one survivor has been found in Home Depot, and the death count in Joplin alone is up to 125.
Two days later, Sedalia was also hit by a tornado, though less powerful, but still enough to take out the bus barn serving Sedalia Public Schools. The twister that hit Sedalia was rated as an EF2. The statistics for yesterday (May 25) were over 900 reports of severe weather, 81 tornadoes and 0, yes ZERO deaths. "People have learned from Joplin." -Al Roker
Today, May 26, Columbia TV station KOMU-TV8, in conjunction with the United Way, raised over $1 million for the Joplin relief. Along with that, the University of Missouri started their own fundraiser by selling "One State. One Spirit. One Mizzou." t-shirts, with all proceeds benefiting the Joplin Relief Fund. To purchase your Joplin Relief shirt, visit http://mutigers.cbscollegestore.com/store_contents.cfm?store_id=51&partner_id=13968&dept_id=410&product_id=193994 to place your order. To donate to the American Red Cross, text "REDCROSS" to 90999 or visit redcross.org for more info.
