While we live in a nearby town, both sons & families live right in Joplin. One son lost everything but his family, & is fortunate to be alive. It is a nightmare. Besides the obvious physical damage & loss of life, it will put Joplin in an economic crisis as many businesses were totally destroyed. Phone lines were overloaded so it was hours before we found out about our boys & their families. Thank you for caring, to ask about this devastation.

so we didn't see very much of this storm, my thoughts are in Joplin though and my husband MAY be sent there to help.

Redwing, please let us know if there is anything we can do in the area, or where donation points will be etc. Glad to hear your family is safe.

Wait ... isn't this where the faithful were supposed to be for the rapture? So god sent devastation to where the mormons were supposed to be gathering. Hmmmm.

that area on the edge that is known as Tornado alley!

I was so saddened to see the devastation on the news this morning. It seems there's little we can do against the dreadful forces of nature.

The closest my family has come to anything so devastating is a relative's home that was flattened in WWII and I recall as a child they were still distressed by it all. The thing that hurt the most I recall was the loss of family photo albums and precious personal belongings, memories etc.

I'll never forget Aunt Mary's tears as she recounted the tragedy to us, even though they personally survived, their loss was great.

I can only send my best wishes and hugs to those poor folks affected by the awful conditions around the US at the moment.

Briggy



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/23/2011 03:46PM by brigantia.

So sorry for the loss of life and property. My heart goes out to all of you.

Anagrammy

You cannot imagine the devastation in Joplin; it looks like a war-zone. So many lives lost. The local officials were doing house-to-house searches, looking for survivors. Our sons are living together in the same house, trying to make do, as we say here. Friends & family are gathering up clothes, food, etc., to help them out. I really don't know what has been set up in Joplin for donations, etc.

We are expecting more storms today. It rained all day yesterday, raising flooding concerns & hampering search & rescue.

But I am sorry for what they've lost and that y'all had to go through that ordeal. I can't imagine what it was like those hours when you didn't know if they were OK. My thoughts are with you and all the residents of Joplin.

One son set out on foot to find his brother, as we could not raise him on his cell phone. When he got to his brother's sub-division & saw not one house standing, he panicked. Then when he got to his brother's house & saw nothing but the foundation, he thought his brother & family were dead. They had gone to seek some kind of shelter, and my boys eventually found each other. It was about 1 am before I got a call, saying they were safe.

Thank you, too, NormaRae, searching 27, & anagrammy for your kindness. Some may think this thread is OT, but for those of us living this nightmare, the kind words & caring thoughts mean a lot.

I'm so glad your kids and their families are okay!

No one who has never felt it can possibly understand. I never knew that death packed a punch, and that fear of death also packs a physical wallop.

It is like being punched in the stomach, you want to vomit...scream "no"...cry, all at the same time, but you are doubled over in disbelief.

(((hugs)))

All of America is with you in your sorrow and you will soon see the generosity of your neighbors as we support you in your recovery.

Anagrammy

that things will improve.