President Barack Obama took time to visit with the residents of tornado ravaged Joplin, MO on Sunday, after returning from a six day diplomatic tour of Europe. The President visited Missouri Southern State University where he participated in a memorial service and spoke to area residents, many of whom had lost everything.
"There is no doubt in my mind that Joplin will rebuild," Obama said at the event. "As president, I can tell you that your country will be there with you every single step of the way."
142 people died in the tornadoes which struck the town of Joplin a week ago. 2011 has been the deadliest year for tornadoes since such records first started being kept almost 60 years ago. Tuscaloosa AL was severely damaged by tornadoes in April (nearly 300 were killed), and Memphis TN was similarly affected by floods during the same period. President Obama visited both cities in the aftermath.
Obama was accompanied to Joplin by Federal Emergency Management Director Craig Fugate, as well as Governor Jay Nixon and Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) for a motorcade tour of the affected area. Gov. Nixon spoke at length about the devastation from last week’s tornadoes.
"It seems inconceivable that just one week ago, the people of Joplin were going about their daily lives," Nixon said. He also added "It's going to take a higher power" to help the area to rebuild and be restored.
The tornado cut a swath of destruction nearly a mile wide, destroying nearly 8,000 buildings in Joplin, which boasts a population of around 50,000.
Many people who attended Sunday’s Memorial service said that the President’s presence in Joplin helped them in their grieving process, and went on to say that they are determined to move forward with the rebuilding.
The events in Joplin vividly illustrate how important it is to be prepared in the event of an emergency. Tornadoes give very little warning, if any, and those few seconds may be the difference between life and death.
In the event of such a disaster, have a place to go. If you’re facing down a tornado, the best choice is to get to your basement, if you have one. If not, go to the innermost room of your home, preferably one without windows. If all else fails, get in your bathtub and pull the shower curtain over you.
If you are caught outdoors, find the nearest ditch or gully and throw yourself into it. If you are driving, stop and get out of your car and seek immediate shelter. Trying to outrun or avoid a tornado is begging for trouble.
Tornadoes may not destroy your property, but they can certainly cause much in the way of damage. Know who you are going to call in the event of such a catastrophe. Very often, water damage accompanies tornado problems, so have the number of your local, IICRC certified water damage restoration company. They can be onsite within an hour of your call to assess your damage and begin repair and restoration procedures designed to return your home or business to its pre-loss condition.
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