Red Cross Continues to Help Joplin Recover from 2011 Tornado

Monday, May 21, 2012 — Today marks the one-year anniversary of a tornado that stormed through Joplin, Missouri, changing thousands of lives and devastating their town.

“I will never forget the color of the sky that evening as my family and I stood outside our Springfield home and looked to the west. It was multi-colored reds and oranges, as if the sky were burning,” said Nigel Holderby, Red Cross chief communications officer for Southern Missouri.

The devastation left in the path of that storm would make it one of the deadliest EF-5 tornadoes in history.

In response to the tornado in Joplin, the Red Cross:

• Opened two shelters that provided 3,450 overnight stays.
• Served approximately 86,000 meals and 373,000 snacks.
• Distributed 1,456 comfort kits with hygiene supplies such as deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, wash cloth, shampoo, liquid soap, lotion, comb, razor and shaving cream.
• Distributed 205,000 relief items such as tarps, ice chests, rakes and cleaning supplies through six centers and through deliveries.
• Made 5,850 health service contacts and nearly 6,800 mental health contacts.

A year later, the Red Cross continues to help people in and around Joplin recover. The Red Cross is currently focused on helping families plan their recovery and access community resources, supporting those who are rebuilding homes, and preparing the community for any future disasters.

 

 

Click here to help the relief of the city of Joplin.

https://american.redcross.org/site/SPageServer?s_subsrc=RCO_BigRedButton&pagename=ntld_main&s_src=RSG000000000