Joplin Pays It Forward Community Leaders Share Our Recovery
Transcript Of Joplin Pays It Forward Community Leaders Share Our Recovery
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Joplin Pays It Forward
Community Leaders Share Our Recovery Lessons Compiled and Edited by: Jane Cage AUTHORS
Connie Andrews, Sam Anselm, Jono Anzolone, Paula Baker, Matt Barnhart, Paul Barr, Brad Beecher, Angie Besendorfer, Lysa Boston, Meg Bourne-Hulsey, Stephanie Brady, Dottie Bringle, Dave Burgess, Jane Cage, Steve Castaner, Scott Clayton, Debra Davidson, Michelle Ducre, Kim Gray, Sallie Hemenway, C.J. Huff, Alison Malinowski-Sunday, Garren McMillan, Debi Meeds, David Mink, Vicki Mieseler, Rob O'Brian, Lynn Onstot, Gary Pulsipher, Mitch Randles, Lane Roberts, Dave Rockers, Mark Rohr, Kerry Sachetta, Bud Sexson, Kirstie Smith, Jay St. Clair, Keith Stammer, Carol Stark, David Starrett, Nila Vance, Terry Wachter, Renee White, Rebecca Williams, Mike Woolston, Darrin Wright, District Staff of Rep. Billy Long
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This title is also available as a free Kindle e-book on Amazon.com This title is also available as a PDF for download at http://www.joplinmo.org/joplinpaysitforward This edition: ISBN 978-1-4675-8911-6 Copyright 2013 – Jane Cage
Contacting the contributors:
We hope that you may want to contact a contributor for additional information or to use as a resource. Rather than publish contact information directly in this book, we have setup a contact page at http://www.joplinmo.org/joplinpaysitforward where you can submit a contact request to any of them.
Cover Photo: The stainless steel ring on the cover is a replica of the wrist bands given out by the City of Joplin to the thousands of volunteers that came to help us remove debris and rebuild our city. Through the ring is the clean-up of St. John’s Hospital that was destroyed in the tornado.
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Table of Contents
Contacting the contributors............................................................................................................ 4 Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................ 5 Foreword ..........................................................................................................................................7 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 8 Setting the Stage ............................................................................................................................. 9 City Government............................................................................................................................ 11
Mark Rohr – City Manager ........................................................................................................12 Mike Woolston – Mayor 2011-2012 ........................................................................................... 15 Sam Anselm - Assistant City Manager ....................................................................................... 17 Lane Roberts - Chief of Police....................................................................................................19 Keith Stammer – Emergency Management Coordinator ..........................................................21 Mitch Randles – Fire Chief ....................................................................................................... 23 Lynn Onstot - City Public Information Officer ......................................................................... 25 Jane Cage - Chairman of the Citizens Advisory Recovery Team .............................................. 28 Education ....................................................................................................................................... 31 CJ Huff – Joplin Superintendent of Schools ............................................................................ 32 Angie Besendorfer - Joplin Assistant Superintendent of Schools ............................................ 34 Kerry Sachetta - Principal Joplin High School ......................................................................... 38 Paul Barr - Joplin Schools CFO................................................................................................. 46 Nila Vance - Principal of Irving Elementary School ................................................................. 50 Dave Rockers - Director Franklin Technology Center .............................................................. 52 Bud Sexson - Principal of East Middle School .......................................................................... 54 Healthcare..................................................................................................................................... 55 Gary Pulsipher - CEO Mercy Hospital ...................................................................................... 56 Paula Baker - CEO Freeman Hospital....................................................................................... 58 Dottie Bringle - Former COO, Mercy (St. Johns) Hospital........................................................61 Vicki Mieseler – Vice President of Clinical Services, Ozark Center for Mental Health ............ 64 Terry Wachter – Vice President of Mission, Mercy Hospital ................................................... 67 Debra Davidson – COO, Access Healthcare ............................................................................. 70 Public Utilities................................................................................................................................75 Brad Beecher – CEO, Empire District Electric Company ......................................................... 76 Matt Barnhart – Senior Operations Manager, Missouri American Water Company............... 78 Business Community .....................................................................................................................81
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Rob O’Brian – President, Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce ................................................ 82 Kirstie Smith - Communications Director, Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce ..................... 85 David Starrett – Owner, Joplin Medicine Shoppe .................................................................... 89 Media ............................................................................................................................................ 93 Carol Stark – Editor, Joplin Globe............................................................................................ 94 David Mink - Reporter, Joplin Tri-State Business Journal ...................................................... 97 Rebecca Williams – Admin, Joplin Tornado Information Facebook Page ............................ 100 Darrin Wright - News Director, KZRG Radio ..........................................................................103 Caring for Individuals ..................................................................................................................105 Renee White - Chairman of the Long Term Recovery Committee ......................................... 106 Stephanie Brady - Independent Living Center ....................................................................... 109 Garren McMillan – Rebuild Joplin Volunteer Website ............................................................111 Scott Clayton – Director, Joplin Habitat for Humanity .......................................................... 112 Michelle Ducre – Formerly Community Foundation of the Ozarks ........................................ 114 Jay St. Clair – Community Outreach Minister, College Heights Christian Church ................ 117 Dave Burgess – Pastor, First Presbyterian Church.................................................................. 119 Meg Bourne-Hulsey - Founder of Art Feeds ............................................................................ 121 Kim Gray – Development Director, Joplin Family YMCA.......................................................123 Alison Malinowski Sunday - Executive Director, Lafayette House ......................................... 125 Lysa Boston & Connie Andrews - Joplin Humane Society ......................................................126 Federal-State-Local Agencies ...................................................................................................... 127 Sallie Hemenway – Division Director, Missouri Department of Economic Development .....128 Steve Castaner – Former FEMA Region VII Branch Chief for Long-Term Community Recovery and Federal Disaster Recovery Officer..................................................................... 131 Jono Anzolone - Former FEMA Region VII Voluntary Agency Liaison ..................................133 Debi Meeds – Regional CEO, American Red Cross .................................................................136 District Staff – Office of Congressman Billy Long MO-07.......................................................139 Epilogue .......................................................................................................................................143
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Foreword
I am honored to contribute to this remarkable collection of stories; stories that embody the resilience, courage, and selflessness of the people of Joplin, Missouri. On May 22, 2011, while many Joplin residents were still celebrating the graduation of their high school seniors and welcoming the beginning of summer, an EF-5 tornado tore through the city and surrounding counties, leaving an eight mile long and 3/4 mile wide path of immense destruction. The Joplin tornado was one of the deadliest in U.S. history, claiming the lives of 161 people.
The collection of stories in Joplin Pays It Forward provides us insight into Joplin's incredible journey to rebuild in the wake of mass devastation. Among its many inspiring lessons, the stories tell us how Joplin was able to live up to its promise to re-open completely destroyed schools by the start of the school year; how Joplin worked with a state university to provide shelter, a surge medical clinic, and a volunteer coordination point; and how Joplin was able to coordinate the thousands of volunteers that flooded in to provide support. The authors of these chapters represent every facet of the community— from state and local officials, to volunteers, to the private sector. Because this book is so crosscutting, providing diverse perspectives and aspects of Joplin's recovery, there is a lesson for everyone. Whether a novice volunteer or a veteran emergency manager, we can all learn from Joplin's experience.
I arrived in Joplin less than 15 hours after the tornado struck. I was immediately inspired by the quick action and selflessness from the first responders and residents. I saw first-hand the remarkable leadership displayed by formal and informal leaders— I saw the hope they provided to the people of Joplin and to people all around this country. The individual stories highlighted in this book demonstrate that in order to be resilient, we must work with the whole community. The whole community includes private businesses, faith based communities, non-profit organizations, volunteers, citizens, and formal and informal community leaders. Joplins Pay It Forward provides us with insight into how the city successfully built resilience into the fabric of their community, and as a result, has undergone an incredible recovery.
I have had the privilege to return to Joplin several times since that fateful day in 2011. Each time, I am more and more inspired by the Joplin community. Meeting the people of Joplin and watching how they have come together in the aftermath of this tragedy has been one of the highlights of my career. I would like to thank the Joplin community for providing us with the lessons they learned from their experience so that together, we can build a more resilient nation. Thank you for paying it forward!
Rich Serino
Deputy Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency
Please note the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) does not endorse any non-Government entities, organizations, or services, and any references to such entities, organizations, or services in this forward do not constitute or imply an endorsement by the U.S. Government, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), or FEMA. The views expressed by non-U.S. Government officials in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FEMA, DHS, or the U.S. Government.
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Introduction
Who would have ever thought that Joplin would be where we are today – on the other side of what we all refer to as the “devastating tornado” of May 22, 2011? As a community, we were called on to respond, and more importantly to recover. From the first day, some of us have been in the national spotlight while others of us have worked behind the scenes. Many of us had roles defined by our jobs while some of us have stepped into leadership positions for the very first time. We have all learned lessons that can make the path easier for the next community touched by a disaster. We can also help the myriad of agencies that came to help us understand how to help the next community even more.
Some of us have been interviewed many times. Some of us have not had the opportunity to speak with anyone about our experiences. Joplin has been a living laboratory for academicians and scientists who came with their own questions and agendas. This is our opportunity to ensure that “our” story is shared in a way that can inform and support the leaders of disasters that may happen in the future. While each of us has played a leading role in the recovery and resiliency of Joplin, we believe that there is not one of us is that is responsible. As we have reflected and listened to one another, the word “we” has emerged as a common theme. Building upon the essence of “we,” it is time that the Joplin story is captured from the perspective of not one but a well-rounded approach that demonstrates the interwoven fabric that characterizes our recovery.
After the shock of the first few weeks wore off and the initial disaster response was in place, we discovered that the hard work really began. The following pages are filled with our “aha” moments and our frustrations. We recount what was helpful and what blocked our path. We talk about our victories and some of our tougher moments. Only a few of us are professional writers so please bear that in mind as you read our first-hand accounts. Our stories are the definition of our resilience and also our hope.
Joplin has been singled out as an example to the nation. We all have experiences that none of us ever wished for but will allow us to make a difference. At the same time, we do understand that our experiences should not be construed as “best practices” but instead as a resource. In each of our stories there may be a concept, an admission or an idea that will help us “pay it forward” in recognition of the support that we received. Please read these stories in that spirit and know that we are ready to offer additional assistance as we are able.
On a personal note, I am grateful to every participant who contributed an essay. Your willingness to “Pay It Forward” exemplifies the spirit that will continue to propel us forward.
In the spirit of recovery,
Jane Cage
Chairman, Joplin Citizens Advisory Recovery Team
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Setting the Stage
Joplin is a city of 50,000 residents in the corner of southwest Missouri. We serve a surrounding population eight times our size and during the work week are home to over 200,000 people each day. On Sunday evening, May 22, 2011 the third worst tornado recorded in the United States since 1948 passed through our city. The EF5 tornado left a path of devastation eight miles long and ¾ miles wide with winds recorded at over 200 miles per hour. Residents mobilized immediately after the storm passed to help fellow residents in need. They cleared streets almost before outside help could arrive. The immensity of the storm is reflected in the statistics below. No statistic is more significant however than the 161 Joplin residents that lost their lives as a result of the storm.
The task of debris removal and rebuilding could never be accomplished without the help that has poured in from around the world. As of April 2013, 176,869 volunteers have provided 1,146,083 hours of time to the rebuilding and recovery of Joplin. Because of this one amazing statistic, we feel compelled to pay it forward.
Infrastructure
Lives Lost: 161 Injuries: Over 1,000 Structures Damaged: 7,500 (4,000 of those destroyed) Residents Impacted: 17,000 (9,200 of those displaced) Debris Removed: Over 3,000,000 cubic yards City Buildings Lost: Two Fire Stations, Senior Citizens Center Parks Damaged: Cunningham Park, Parr Hill Park, Garvin Park, Mohaska Park, Ewert Park City Infrastructure: sidewalks, streets and curbs. Over 2,000 street signs and 59 manhole covers disappeared Schools Totally Destroyed: Joplin High School, East Middle School, Franklin Technology Center, Irving Elementary School, Emerson Elementary School Schools Damaged or Partially Destroyed: Cecil Floyd Elementary School, Duquesne Elementary School, Kelsey Norman Elementary School, Roi S. Wood Administration Building Electric Utilities: 20,000 customers without service, 100 miles of line down, almost 3,900 poles and 1,500 transformers damaged, one substation destroyed and two damaged Water Utilities: 4,000 leaking customer lines, 25 torn fire service lines, Service Center and Plant Storage Building destroyed Insurance Loss: estimated at over $2 billion Business Losses: 531 destroyed or severely damaged, 4,500 employees affected Healthcare Sector: St. John’s Hospital destroyed, St. John’s Physician Office Building destroyed, St. John’s Brady Rehabilitation Building destroyed, Freeman Hospital West sustained roof and systems damage, Ozark Center Behavioral Health System lost one-half of its buildings
The epilogue located at the end of these essays updates you on where we are two years later..
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Joplin Pays It Forward
Community Leaders Share Our Recovery Lessons Compiled and Edited by: Jane Cage AUTHORS
Connie Andrews, Sam Anselm, Jono Anzolone, Paula Baker, Matt Barnhart, Paul Barr, Brad Beecher, Angie Besendorfer, Lysa Boston, Meg Bourne-Hulsey, Stephanie Brady, Dottie Bringle, Dave Burgess, Jane Cage, Steve Castaner, Scott Clayton, Debra Davidson, Michelle Ducre, Kim Gray, Sallie Hemenway, C.J. Huff, Alison Malinowski-Sunday, Garren McMillan, Debi Meeds, David Mink, Vicki Mieseler, Rob O'Brian, Lynn Onstot, Gary Pulsipher, Mitch Randles, Lane Roberts, Dave Rockers, Mark Rohr, Kerry Sachetta, Bud Sexson, Kirstie Smith, Jay St. Clair, Keith Stammer, Carol Stark, David Starrett, Nila Vance, Terry Wachter, Renee White, Rebecca Williams, Mike Woolston, Darrin Wright, District Staff of Rep. Billy Long
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This title is also available as a free Kindle e-book on Amazon.com This title is also available as a PDF for download at http://www.joplinmo.org/joplinpaysitforward This edition: ISBN 978-1-4675-8911-6 Copyright 2013 – Jane Cage
Contacting the contributors:
We hope that you may want to contact a contributor for additional information or to use as a resource. Rather than publish contact information directly in this book, we have setup a contact page at http://www.joplinmo.org/joplinpaysitforward where you can submit a contact request to any of them.
Cover Photo: The stainless steel ring on the cover is a replica of the wrist bands given out by the City of Joplin to the thousands of volunteers that came to help us remove debris and rebuild our city. Through the ring is the clean-up of St. John’s Hospital that was destroyed in the tornado.
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Table of Contents
Contacting the contributors............................................................................................................ 4 Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................ 5 Foreword ..........................................................................................................................................7 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 8 Setting the Stage ............................................................................................................................. 9 City Government............................................................................................................................ 11
Mark Rohr – City Manager ........................................................................................................12 Mike Woolston – Mayor 2011-2012 ........................................................................................... 15 Sam Anselm - Assistant City Manager ....................................................................................... 17 Lane Roberts - Chief of Police....................................................................................................19 Keith Stammer – Emergency Management Coordinator ..........................................................21 Mitch Randles – Fire Chief ....................................................................................................... 23 Lynn Onstot - City Public Information Officer ......................................................................... 25 Jane Cage - Chairman of the Citizens Advisory Recovery Team .............................................. 28 Education ....................................................................................................................................... 31 CJ Huff – Joplin Superintendent of Schools ............................................................................ 32 Angie Besendorfer - Joplin Assistant Superintendent of Schools ............................................ 34 Kerry Sachetta - Principal Joplin High School ......................................................................... 38 Paul Barr - Joplin Schools CFO................................................................................................. 46 Nila Vance - Principal of Irving Elementary School ................................................................. 50 Dave Rockers - Director Franklin Technology Center .............................................................. 52 Bud Sexson - Principal of East Middle School .......................................................................... 54 Healthcare..................................................................................................................................... 55 Gary Pulsipher - CEO Mercy Hospital ...................................................................................... 56 Paula Baker - CEO Freeman Hospital....................................................................................... 58 Dottie Bringle - Former COO, Mercy (St. Johns) Hospital........................................................61 Vicki Mieseler – Vice President of Clinical Services, Ozark Center for Mental Health ............ 64 Terry Wachter – Vice President of Mission, Mercy Hospital ................................................... 67 Debra Davidson – COO, Access Healthcare ............................................................................. 70 Public Utilities................................................................................................................................75 Brad Beecher – CEO, Empire District Electric Company ......................................................... 76 Matt Barnhart – Senior Operations Manager, Missouri American Water Company............... 78 Business Community .....................................................................................................................81
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Rob O’Brian – President, Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce ................................................ 82 Kirstie Smith - Communications Director, Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce ..................... 85 David Starrett – Owner, Joplin Medicine Shoppe .................................................................... 89 Media ............................................................................................................................................ 93 Carol Stark – Editor, Joplin Globe............................................................................................ 94 David Mink - Reporter, Joplin Tri-State Business Journal ...................................................... 97 Rebecca Williams – Admin, Joplin Tornado Information Facebook Page ............................ 100 Darrin Wright - News Director, KZRG Radio ..........................................................................103 Caring for Individuals ..................................................................................................................105 Renee White - Chairman of the Long Term Recovery Committee ......................................... 106 Stephanie Brady - Independent Living Center ....................................................................... 109 Garren McMillan – Rebuild Joplin Volunteer Website ............................................................111 Scott Clayton – Director, Joplin Habitat for Humanity .......................................................... 112 Michelle Ducre – Formerly Community Foundation of the Ozarks ........................................ 114 Jay St. Clair – Community Outreach Minister, College Heights Christian Church ................ 117 Dave Burgess – Pastor, First Presbyterian Church.................................................................. 119 Meg Bourne-Hulsey - Founder of Art Feeds ............................................................................ 121 Kim Gray – Development Director, Joplin Family YMCA.......................................................123 Alison Malinowski Sunday - Executive Director, Lafayette House ......................................... 125 Lysa Boston & Connie Andrews - Joplin Humane Society ......................................................126 Federal-State-Local Agencies ...................................................................................................... 127 Sallie Hemenway – Division Director, Missouri Department of Economic Development .....128 Steve Castaner – Former FEMA Region VII Branch Chief for Long-Term Community Recovery and Federal Disaster Recovery Officer..................................................................... 131 Jono Anzolone - Former FEMA Region VII Voluntary Agency Liaison ..................................133 Debi Meeds – Regional CEO, American Red Cross .................................................................136 District Staff – Office of Congressman Billy Long MO-07.......................................................139 Epilogue .......................................................................................................................................143
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Foreword
I am honored to contribute to this remarkable collection of stories; stories that embody the resilience, courage, and selflessness of the people of Joplin, Missouri. On May 22, 2011, while many Joplin residents were still celebrating the graduation of their high school seniors and welcoming the beginning of summer, an EF-5 tornado tore through the city and surrounding counties, leaving an eight mile long and 3/4 mile wide path of immense destruction. The Joplin tornado was one of the deadliest in U.S. history, claiming the lives of 161 people.
The collection of stories in Joplin Pays It Forward provides us insight into Joplin's incredible journey to rebuild in the wake of mass devastation. Among its many inspiring lessons, the stories tell us how Joplin was able to live up to its promise to re-open completely destroyed schools by the start of the school year; how Joplin worked with a state university to provide shelter, a surge medical clinic, and a volunteer coordination point; and how Joplin was able to coordinate the thousands of volunteers that flooded in to provide support. The authors of these chapters represent every facet of the community— from state and local officials, to volunteers, to the private sector. Because this book is so crosscutting, providing diverse perspectives and aspects of Joplin's recovery, there is a lesson for everyone. Whether a novice volunteer or a veteran emergency manager, we can all learn from Joplin's experience.
I arrived in Joplin less than 15 hours after the tornado struck. I was immediately inspired by the quick action and selflessness from the first responders and residents. I saw first-hand the remarkable leadership displayed by formal and informal leaders— I saw the hope they provided to the people of Joplin and to people all around this country. The individual stories highlighted in this book demonstrate that in order to be resilient, we must work with the whole community. The whole community includes private businesses, faith based communities, non-profit organizations, volunteers, citizens, and formal and informal community leaders. Joplins Pay It Forward provides us with insight into how the city successfully built resilience into the fabric of their community, and as a result, has undergone an incredible recovery.
I have had the privilege to return to Joplin several times since that fateful day in 2011. Each time, I am more and more inspired by the Joplin community. Meeting the people of Joplin and watching how they have come together in the aftermath of this tragedy has been one of the highlights of my career. I would like to thank the Joplin community for providing us with the lessons they learned from their experience so that together, we can build a more resilient nation. Thank you for paying it forward!
Rich Serino
Deputy Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency
Please note the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) does not endorse any non-Government entities, organizations, or services, and any references to such entities, organizations, or services in this forward do not constitute or imply an endorsement by the U.S. Government, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), or FEMA. The views expressed by non-U.S. Government officials in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FEMA, DHS, or the U.S. Government.
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Introduction
Who would have ever thought that Joplin would be where we are today – on the other side of what we all refer to as the “devastating tornado” of May 22, 2011? As a community, we were called on to respond, and more importantly to recover. From the first day, some of us have been in the national spotlight while others of us have worked behind the scenes. Many of us had roles defined by our jobs while some of us have stepped into leadership positions for the very first time. We have all learned lessons that can make the path easier for the next community touched by a disaster. We can also help the myriad of agencies that came to help us understand how to help the next community even more.
Some of us have been interviewed many times. Some of us have not had the opportunity to speak with anyone about our experiences. Joplin has been a living laboratory for academicians and scientists who came with their own questions and agendas. This is our opportunity to ensure that “our” story is shared in a way that can inform and support the leaders of disasters that may happen in the future. While each of us has played a leading role in the recovery and resiliency of Joplin, we believe that there is not one of us is that is responsible. As we have reflected and listened to one another, the word “we” has emerged as a common theme. Building upon the essence of “we,” it is time that the Joplin story is captured from the perspective of not one but a well-rounded approach that demonstrates the interwoven fabric that characterizes our recovery.
After the shock of the first few weeks wore off and the initial disaster response was in place, we discovered that the hard work really began. The following pages are filled with our “aha” moments and our frustrations. We recount what was helpful and what blocked our path. We talk about our victories and some of our tougher moments. Only a few of us are professional writers so please bear that in mind as you read our first-hand accounts. Our stories are the definition of our resilience and also our hope.
Joplin has been singled out as an example to the nation. We all have experiences that none of us ever wished for but will allow us to make a difference. At the same time, we do understand that our experiences should not be construed as “best practices” but instead as a resource. In each of our stories there may be a concept, an admission or an idea that will help us “pay it forward” in recognition of the support that we received. Please read these stories in that spirit and know that we are ready to offer additional assistance as we are able.
On a personal note, I am grateful to every participant who contributed an essay. Your willingness to “Pay It Forward” exemplifies the spirit that will continue to propel us forward.
In the spirit of recovery,
Jane Cage
Chairman, Joplin Citizens Advisory Recovery Team
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Setting the Stage
Joplin is a city of 50,000 residents in the corner of southwest Missouri. We serve a surrounding population eight times our size and during the work week are home to over 200,000 people each day. On Sunday evening, May 22, 2011 the third worst tornado recorded in the United States since 1948 passed through our city. The EF5 tornado left a path of devastation eight miles long and ¾ miles wide with winds recorded at over 200 miles per hour. Residents mobilized immediately after the storm passed to help fellow residents in need. They cleared streets almost before outside help could arrive. The immensity of the storm is reflected in the statistics below. No statistic is more significant however than the 161 Joplin residents that lost their lives as a result of the storm.
The task of debris removal and rebuilding could never be accomplished without the help that has poured in from around the world. As of April 2013, 176,869 volunteers have provided 1,146,083 hours of time to the rebuilding and recovery of Joplin. Because of this one amazing statistic, we feel compelled to pay it forward.
Infrastructure
Lives Lost: 161 Injuries: Over 1,000 Structures Damaged: 7,500 (4,000 of those destroyed) Residents Impacted: 17,000 (9,200 of those displaced) Debris Removed: Over 3,000,000 cubic yards City Buildings Lost: Two Fire Stations, Senior Citizens Center Parks Damaged: Cunningham Park, Parr Hill Park, Garvin Park, Mohaska Park, Ewert Park City Infrastructure: sidewalks, streets and curbs. Over 2,000 street signs and 59 manhole covers disappeared Schools Totally Destroyed: Joplin High School, East Middle School, Franklin Technology Center, Irving Elementary School, Emerson Elementary School Schools Damaged or Partially Destroyed: Cecil Floyd Elementary School, Duquesne Elementary School, Kelsey Norman Elementary School, Roi S. Wood Administration Building Electric Utilities: 20,000 customers without service, 100 miles of line down, almost 3,900 poles and 1,500 transformers damaged, one substation destroyed and two damaged Water Utilities: 4,000 leaking customer lines, 25 torn fire service lines, Service Center and Plant Storage Building destroyed Insurance Loss: estimated at over $2 billion Business Losses: 531 destroyed or severely damaged, 4,500 employees affected Healthcare Sector: St. John’s Hospital destroyed, St. John’s Physician Office Building destroyed, St. John’s Brady Rehabilitation Building destroyed, Freeman Hospital West sustained roof and systems damage, Ozark Center Behavioral Health System lost one-half of its buildings
The epilogue located at the end of these essays updates you on where we are two years later..
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