Joplin MO hit hard

[crypto]

I've been weighing the options for whether we should try a convoy down there, here's what I come up with:

there's no supplies in town. We would have to be entirely self-sufficient. Food / water isnt a problem, gasoline would be.
Theres no shelter. If there is more severe weather we will become part of the problem, because we'd be sleeping in tents and vehicles.
My wife has a commitment on Friday she cant get out of.
Saturday is the crawfish boil, which pretty much everyone will be at.

So, I dunno. I'm not going down without B3.

[basm]

I've been weighing the options for whether we should try a convoy down there, here's what I come up with:

there's no supplies in town. We would have to be entirely self-sufficient. Food / water isnt a problem, gasoline would be.

You could drive out of town to get gasoline, but could you also take some 5-gal cans to get by with in case you can't get to a gas station?

Theres no shelter. If there is more severe weather we will become part of the problem, because we'd be sleeping in tents and vehicles.

I am sure hotel rooms are in short supply but what about staying in a rental cabin? Those are the Ozark Mountains, I have heard they are gorgeous and have lots of recreational activities, so I am betting there are cabins somewhere? Failing that, if you stay out of the town, and you can mobilize fast if severe weather is coming, it's less of an issue. Campground? Is there a chapter in that area that could help put you up?

My wife has a commitment on Friday she cant get out of.
Saturday is the crawfish boil, which pretty much everyone will be at.

So, I dunno. I'm not going down without B3.

Is it just the weekend you can only get down there? Maybe you could take this weekend and next week to plan and get everybody together, and then go next weekend.

[crypto]

Eh, I dont keep a lot of jerry cans around, I'm not comfortable keeping them in a hot car. It makes for bad times on hot days, and leaving them outside the vehicle invites opportunists to remove them.

Me and my crew are 4-5 hours away from joplin so the trip would be a weekend thing, for anyone who has a job.

I'm not about to rent a cabin at the lake, too expensive and far away from joplin.



ETA: When I brought up the crawfish boil, I only did so because most of my labor pool is committed to going to it, because theyve already paid for the live mudbugs, which are showing up at the airport on friday.

[The Different One]

Listening to the scanner feed on Radio Reference.

They are still all thown off up there. I believe I heard something about looting and roadblocks being manned by officers pulling 16 hr shifts.

Prayers to Joplin.

I'll put the link below if you want to listen.

http://www.radioreference.com/apps/audio/?action=wp&feedId=2798

*edited for terrible spelling*

[andygates]

Wow, I see it's been recalculated as a full-on EF-5 and a billion-dollar disaster to boot. Much suckage all round.

[crypto]

I just received this email from the United Way in response to my inquiry about getting a posse together to go work this weekend:

Thank you for your interest in helping people impacted by the recent tornado in Joplin, MO. We know you’re anxious to help. We have received more than 7,400 emails over the past two days from people who want to help in the affected areas. That’s an amazing response and outpouring of support.

Here’s what we know right now: Disaster officials have told us to discourage anyone from travelling to Joplin this weekend. The people on the front lines currently are still in search and recovery mode and additional volunteers would be a hindrance to their recovery efforts. The region is not prepared yet for general volunteers to just show up. In addition, the city would not have the capacity to provide safe, meaningful and coordinated opportunities if we arrive all at once.

Even though the upcoming weekend is a holiday weekend, emergency management officials have expressed that safety is a major concern (unstable structures, etc.) during the next few days. We also want you to know that you will be needed to lend a hand after the search and rescue activities conclude. We anticipate that will take at least another week before general volunteers will be requested to assist with clean-up activities and other service projects. You will continue to receive updates from us, especially when the time comes for general volunteers to assist in storm relief efforts over the coming weeks and, most likely, months.

Thanks for hanging in there with us. Your efforts will make a difference. As we continue to receive a high volume of requests for volunteers through the 211Missouri.org site, please do not reply to this message.

Thank you for your cooperation and for helping our neighbors from the Joplin area.

So, the official word is, "dont go, yet."

[raptor]

So, the official word is, "dont go, yet."

This is in the news and fresh, but in a couple of weeks it will be back page news. That is when volunteers will really be needed. Plan to go then.

Based up on the extent of destruction I have seen this will take quite a while to clean up.

[PacmanSurvival]

They allowed non-emergency personnel to assist here in Sedalia today, nobody is dead that we know of yet, but we pulled out 6 more people this morning and there's 4 still unaccounted for, police are asking for some overnight help and handing out some walkie talkies and safety vests with sewn on badges to people who want to volunteer for overnight cleanup, which is basically keeping looters out of here, there's been a lot of idiots trying to do that.

[basm]

At least another week or two gives you time to maybe find a hotel or book a campsite and get ready. Still, it rubs me a little the wrong way that anymore you are just not allowed to help.

Re: my previous post. The cabin thought I had was not so much a resort cabin by a lake, but more like a no-frills bunk built by public works in a state park. Tend to be way cheaper. But I get that absorbing the cost of the trip would already be hard. Just trying to offer some ideas.

[callista]

At least another week or two gives you time to maybe find a hotel or book a campsite and get ready. Still, it rubs me a little the wrong way that anymore you are just not allowed to help.

I think it has to do with the logistical problems of coordinating all those people; coordinating them takes a lot of manpower, and if they have enough people now to do the search and rescue and don't need more, then the "wait until we can send people in to help with the cleanup" order makes sense. It's a matter of too many cooks spoiling the soup. Having fewer people with more training might be a better idea now because they won't trip over each other and they can work together more efficiently than a big group of people who haven't trained together. Later on, when they've moved from pulling out people to repairing the building, there'll be a lot more benefit in having a lot of people, and training and coordination won't matter as much.

[Creek Rat]

A couple of things about Joplin but this probably applies to any city in a similar situation:

Volunteers are more than welcome, one church alone announced they had over 800 volunteers today (Thursday) and were eager for more tomorrow. There are many, many shelters set up and huge amounts prepared food for anyone that needs a meal. My wife as been over twice this week taking multiple truck loads of clothing and food from her high school (teacher) to relief distribution areas and has stayed for the day to help organize the distribute the items. There is SO MUCH need but there is also SO MUCH being given both materially and physically/emotionally. The mid-west ethic of strength, hard work and decency is really showing through.


As far as availability of services it depends on where you are, you just need to plan ahead a little. I live across the state line about 15 minutes away from Joplin and there is no issue here with water, food, fuel, power, phone, cell service, internet, gangs of looters, or a shortage of any needed items. If you're worried about fuel just stop at any of the gas stations just a few minutes outside the damage area for a fill-up.


It's awful to think about this way but as bad as the disaster was it is truly a localized situation. Drive a few minutes up the road the mall and you can but a pair of shoes at the Foot Locker and grab a Chick-fil-A at the food court.


The local radio station group has five stations all of have had around the clock, commercial free coverage since hour one of storm. For those in the damage are this been an absolute godsend for people needing information, looking for love ones or passing out important messages from the city or support organizations. Everyone in the region can't thank them enough for what they have given up to provide the entire four state area with much needed information.

You can listen to their total coverage here:
http://www.1310kzrg.com/

Sorry to carry on so long but this is quite honestly the biggest real life SHTF that we will see in our lifetimes in this area and there are a great many lessons to be learned if we pay attention to the details. 125 people died that day but a gun wouldn't have saved a single life. A stocked pantry and stash of food wouldn't provide a mouthful of food to those that lost everything and are now standing in a food line. A whole house backup generator wouldn't light a single bulb because the is long since shutoff and the house wall across the street. The most awesome BOV won't get you anywhere when it's turned half inside-out and under a minivan.

None of this stuff matters for those that lost everything as much as the support and help they've received from strangers. If you can make the choice choose to live around GOOD PEOPLE, somewhere that even without much of anything to start with will literally give you the shirt of your back if you need it because I've seen it done.

[Flamedeep]

Such a major tragedy. I was camping with 3 of my kids on Monday here in Ohio and the tornado sirens went off. Luckily I was close to home and we got packed up and made it home safe. Have been watching the Joplin situation ever since very intently. There are still so many missing people. Still haven't understood why they wont allow family members to view those at the morgue for identification and give the family closure. So very sad, I just can't imagine what they are going through...

[crypto]

Volunteers are more than welcome, one church alone announced they had over 800 volunteers today (Thursday) and were eager for more tomorrow. There are many, many shelters set up and huge amounts prepared food for anyone that needs a meal.

How do you square that with the city putting united way in charge of volunteers and them telling people not to come yet?

[Creek Rat]

How do you square that with the city putting united way in charge of volunteers and them telling people not to come yet?

Luckily for me I don't have to square that with anyone, I just know there is a need and if you're willing to help you'll be more than welcome there.

Help has always been gladly accepted when it's been offered and even with great turnout there is still a need. When my wife was at the distribution center today to drop off food from her school there were only ten workers to service the throng of people in line. Members of her staff stayed all day helping to unload other trucks as they arrived, she then distributed pet food to those in line with animals.

The work sometimes isn't sexy. Not everyone is needed to help shift the rubble, sometimes it's a simple as sorting the mountains of clothing that has been received but needs to be sized before it can be given out. They need help at the animal shelters and the food distribution centers, you may be needed somewhere that the damage isn't even visible but the work is still desperately needed because anything that makes the live easier for those in need or someone else helping out is still a great thing.



If you would like to volunteer, please call 417-625-3543. If you would like to donate items, please call 417-625-3542. To date approximately 5,000 volunteers have been on-site at MSSU to register and 7,000 have called the United Way to offer their time! People wanting to help are encouraged to call and let us know alternative times when you may be available to help. Thanks!

updated to add city website with info and the city facebook page. Anther great resource of information is KZRG in the post above. They are broadcasting continuously and constantly being updated by those looking for volunteers.

http://www.facebook.com/CityofJoplin
http://www.joplinmo.org/tornadoinfo.cfm

[Whiskey]

If someone wants to organize a later trip for general cleanup, I can probably swing it. I think an organized ZS movement could be possible. We could be self sufficient. It would be excellent if we could find some people in the area who's homes weren't destroyed to use as a base of operations... I may know of one such spot which is in walking distance from some of the destroyed homes. I can provide at least two people who will work as general labor/ medical support for our people.

The thing with the Americorps people is that they were sending out people with chainsaws/heavy equipment, but no medics. It would suck to have a chainsaw slip and no one around to patch it up.

[basm]

At least another week or two gives you time to maybe find a hotel or book a campsite and get ready. Still, it rubs me a little the wrong way that anymore you are just not allowed to help.

I think it has to do with the logistical problems of coordinating all those people; coordinating them takes a lot of manpower, and if they have enough people now to do the search and rescue and don't need more, then the "wait until we can send people in to help with the cleanup" order makes sense. It's a matter of too many cooks spoiling the soup. Having fewer people with more training might be a better idea now because they won't trip over each other and they can work together more efficiently than a big group of people who haven't trained together. Later on, when they've moved from pulling out people to repairing the building, there'll be a lot more benefit in having a lot of people, and training and coordination won't matter as much.

I understand there are logistical nightmares at hand. But that also seems to be as much part of the problem. When you are about a week out from a disaster and are still telling eager hands to come back in 2 weeks, I think there is a proble. Part of the problem is that there is a big difference in having a plan and executing a plan. A valuable lesson for all of us.

All I'm saying is you shouldn't have to have an iron grip on people and their disaster in order to have things proceed orderly. A plan that allows people to seek the help of strangers who can come in on their free time with a chainsaw, without having to turn everyone away who asks.

Anyway I will say no more on this particular angle as I don't want to crap up the thread with my personal complaints.

[ninja steve]

Me and my wife went down there to bring her cousin and her family some clothes and other things. It's really messed up down there. I've seen pictures of this and other towns after a tornado but actually seeing it is just unreal. I'm only about an hour away, going to try to go down there a couple of weekends to volunteer.

[yossarian]

Basm, I understand the frustration but look at it this way. They have had over 7,400 emails, 7,000 calls and 5,000 volunteers on site(I think thats right, its close at least and not combing back through the thread to double check). Sure there;s probably some overlap there but thats still a lot of people Not every dummy that shows up with chainsaw will know how to use it and they have no way of weeding out the morons before hand. I think its a good idea to give the paramedics and medical facilities a bit of break before well-intentioned dimwits start showing up at the ER carrying their right arm in their left hand.

[Tater Raider]

Volunteers are more than welcome, one church alone announced they had over 800 volunteers today (Thursday) and were eager for more tomorrow. There are many, many shelters set up and huge amounts prepared food for anyone that needs a meal.

How do you square that with the city putting united way in charge of volunteers and them telling people not to come yet?

Most churches and some other charity organizations tend to run themselves, especially when they don't want the government, be it fed, state, or local, explaining to them who they can help, how they can help, and making sure that they submit all the forms in triplicate. They aren't part of the "Official Aid" group, but they are every bit as valuable because they fill in needs that would otherwise slip through the cracks, especially right after a disaster hits.

Example: St. Mary's was destroyed in the tornado, but the day after there were people in the parking lot writing out checks to help out other folks who had needs that they (the church) could minister to.
America in the Morning Podcast, lead story in podcast with the bit about St. Mary's starting at around the 2:30 mark.

Article on churches affected

As far as offing to help and showing up at one of the local unofficial aid stations, they know the needs better than you do.

[crypto]

Yeah, thats true. All of the people I've talked to locally who are going down are doing so as part of a church group expedition.

[basm]

Saw a great story on CNN this morning about a rescue dog who actually sniffed out another dog named Betty that had been trapped for 4 days. Sweetest face on that one.
http://www.ktul.com/story/14734181/jopl ... -continues
And the dog named Mason in Birmingham that had walked back home on 2 broken legs has recovered from surgery. Cute little mutt. Best kind of dog.
http://www.myfoxal.com/story/14665231/d ... roken-legs

Dogs are awesome.

[basm]

Just passing this along from http://www.jpouch.net/2011/05/27/joplin/:

Help Joplin!
by Jackie Z. on Friday, May 27, 2011 17:05

File this entry under: Coping/Support
Add a Comment

Word is Joplin has zero ostomy supplies. I know that when I became an ostomate, I got TONS of free supplies from the big companies that are just sitting around. If you have supplies, please send them.

The President of the Joplin Missouri Ostomy Association reported their supplies were destroyed when St. John’s Hospital was hit by the tornado. Please spread the word that he will accept shipments and get them to the people who can use them:

Benjamin Moore
7589 SE Quaker Road
Riverton KS 66770

Their main website is http://www.ostomy.org/asg_pages/asg_067.shtml and their phone and contact person is on this page there.

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Wishlist from the Joplin Mothers of Preschoolers:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishl ... d_cart_shr

[yale]

Yeah, thats true. All of the people I've talked to locally who are going down are doing so as part of a church group expedition.

That seems to be the case. One church contacts a church in the affected area and arranges to send a truck of supplies. Here's a story of a Church in south La organizing a trailer of relief suppiles while still dealing with the local flooding occuring here.
http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/Group- ... l?mobile=n