Joplin virtually destroyed by tornado

[tk13]

Please post any ways you can donate/give relief to the people in need in Joplin.

DONATE BY PHONE:

You can send $10 to the Red Cross relief efforts by texting "REDCROSS" to 90999

or

Send $10 to the Salvation Army Disaster relief efforts by texting the word “JOPLIN” to 80888

RED CROSS - Volunteer, donate to disaster victims, donate to a blood drive

http://www.redcross.org/

UNITED WAY - Donate to relief efforts

http://www.uwheartmo.org/

COMMUNITY BLOOD CENTER LOCATIONS - Give blood for those in need

Administration Offices & Donor Center
4040 Main Street
Kansas City, MO 64111
toll free: 1-888-647-4040
816-753-4040

Blue Springs Center
1124 W. 40 Highway
Blue Springs, MO 64015
816-224-0728

Gladstone Center
7265 N. Oak Trafficway
Gladstone, MO 64118
816-468-9813

St. Joseph Center
3122 Frederick
St. Joseph, MO 64506
toll free: 1-800-725-6791
816-232-6791

Overland Park Center
Times Square Shopping Center
10568 Metcalf Ave.
Overland Park, KS 66210
913-383-6800

Olathe Center
1463 E. 151st St.
Olathe, KS 66062
913-829-3724

Topeka Center
800 SW Lane
Topeka, KS 66606
toll free: 1-800-279-5943
785-233-0195

http://www.savealifenow.org/services...-locations.php

VOLUNTEER IN PERSON - Volunteer efforts are being coordinated through Missouri Southern State University.
Many people have contacted the City of Joplin to volunteer assistance to the victims of the storm. ALL citizen volunteers should report to the Recreation Center at Missouri Southern State University. Volunteers’ services are appreciated, but to be effective, will need to be coordinated through this centralized location. Citizens are reminded that the American Red Cross, in cooperation with the City, has set up a shelter at Missouri Southern State University in the Leggett & Platt Center.

http://www.joplinmo.org/article.cfm?AID=966

Relief coordinators Facebook page - Get the word out on fundraisers:

Joplin, MO Tornado Recovery--
If you are coordinating a fundraiser in your area, please send information to joplintornadorecovery@gmail.com so that it can be posted as an event [on the Joplin, MO Tornado Recovery page on facebook]. Remember to include date, time and location, along with any images.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/joplinmo?sk=wall

Columbia area blood donors needed:

A blood drive will be held 2-6 pm at Achieve Balance Chiropractic in Columbia at 3901 S. Providence. If you are wanting to help Joplin, this is a great way to do it.

Here's some info I got from my work e-mail

Message relay from Troop F @ 2120 hours:

In reference to the SEMA Incident the command post is currently operational in the Troop D Joplin area. Due to an overwhelming number of Volunteers, SEMA officials are not currently requesting any further outside assistance until further notice.

More relief organizations:

Missourians interested in volunteering to assist should call (800) 427-4626 or 2-1-1. Those with medical skills interested in volunteering should go to: https://www.showmeresponse.org

Missourians wishing to make donations to help with the relief effort can go to http://www.sema.dps.mo.gov/recover/donations.asp or call (800) 427-4626 or 2-1-1.

Residents affected by the tornado who wish to notify their friends and family that they are safe should go to: https://safeandwell.communityos.org/cms/index.php. Friends and family who would like to check on their loved ones in the affected area can use the same site.

Missourians who need disaster information, shelter information or referrals are urged to call 2-1-1. The United Way's 211 service number is now available for most areas in Missouri. In areas where the 211 number is not operational, citizens can call 800-427-4626.

United Way of the Ozarks in Springfield is waiting to hear plans from the American Red Cross – Greater Ozarks Chapter regarding mobilizing volunteer efforts. As soon as it has confirmation on how and where to volunteer, it will release that information.

If you would like to help with a monetary donation, please send your checks to United Way of the Ozarks, 320 N. Jefferson Ave., Springfield, MO 65806, marked JOPLIN TORNADO DISASTER RELIEF and all funds received will be distributed to the United Way of Southwest Missouri (Joplin).

Emergency blood drive this afternoon - Monday 5/23

The Greater Kansas City chapter of the American Red Cross will hold an emergency blood drive this afternoon to provide blood for those injured in the tornados over the weekend.

The blood drive will be from 2 to 7 p.m. in the Cass County Room at 211 W. Armour Blvd.

Meanwhile, the Community Blood Center is requesting area residents to donate blood this week to help support the rescue efforts in Joplin.

The blood bank has shipped 15 units of blood to the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks. Local hospitals are performing surgeries on some of the victims and the need for blood will increase as the rescue efforts continue.

To find a mobile blood drive, go to www.safealifenow.org or call 1-888-647-4040. Donors can also go to one of Community Blood Center’s seven Neighborhood Donations Centers.

http://www.kansascity.com/2011/05/23...afternoon.html

Chiefs to hold bottled water drive at Arrowhead - Tuesday 5/24 and Wednesday 5/25

In response to the tragic tornadoes that touched down in Joplin, Mo. and Reading, Kan. this weekend, the Kansas City Chiefs will contribute $35,000 to disaster-relief efforts. Additionally, they and their media partners are teaming with the Salvation Army – Midland Division to hold a bottled-water drive at Arrowhead Stadium for individuals in Kansas City to assist victims in the tornado-ravaged areas. The Chiefs will also be accepting financial donations for Heart-to-Heart International.

Bottled-water donations will be accepted in Lot C on the east side of Arrowhead Stadium Tuesday from noon until 7 p.m. and Wednesday from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Those wishing to provide donations of bottled water may use any entrance to the stadium and may learn more from Chiefs broadcast partners KCTV5, 101 The Fox KCFX and Sports Radio 810 WHB, who have joined the Chiefs in supporting this important effort.

http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/article...9-fc840ea9fece

Springfield school district fundraiser and donation drive:

Springfield Public Schools students are finding ways to raise money and collect supplies to assist local charities with relief efforts for families in Joplin who were affected by the May 22 tornado. A Joplin school nurse has shared with SPS staff that there is an urgent need for water, toothbrushes, toothpaste and food.

http://springfieldpublicschoolsmo.or...id_Joplin.aspx

Other resources for those looking to contribute:

The following charities are accepting donations of money and relief items:

American Red Cross
United Way
Skaggs
Greater Ozarks Red Cross
Dillons
Springfield Jaycees
OTC
Springfield Public Schools
Springfield Paper Company
Edward Jones
Salvation Army
Great Southern
Area banks
Habitat Springfield
Community Blood Centers

http://www.news-leader.com/article/2...relief-efforts

Originally Posted by luv

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?not...17118671706061

Great page to go to in order to see what faundraisers and collections are going on in your area (in Missouri anyway).

Originally Posted by luv

Joplin, MO Tornado Recovery:
The City has established the following phone numbers for people interested in donating their time or items to aid in the recovery effort:
Individual volunteers wanting to donate their time should call 417-625-3543
Volunteers wanting to donate items can call 417-625-3542
Volunteer groups (churches, businesses, etc.) should call 314-623-9991

[Discuss Thrower]

At the mall with a friend who's giving blood. CBCoO is reporting blood centers in the state had x10 donations than they expected. Win.

I drove from South main to north main via Wall St since Main was congested terribly. That area of 26th and Wall / Joplin Streets are worse than it looks in pictures. Nuclear bomb sums it up nicely.

The Volunteer coordinators at MoSo said my services aren't needed at the moment. My friend told me they told him he'd be needed later tonight so I'll try and stick around for that.

[Frazod]

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

One Mizzou Tornado Relief T-Shirt

http://mutigers.cbscollegestore.com/...duct_id=193994

Proceeds benefit the Joplin relief effort. On a related note, Coach Haith will be driving to Joplin with coaches/staff to deliver goods from C-Town United Way. Nice to see the new guy pitching in.

Just got one. Thanks for posting this.

[pr_capone]

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

HOLY MOLY Praise GOD!!!! Just got this text from my cousin AMY!!!!

Breaking news for my gparents...we received a call this morning...they're alive in the hospital in Pittsburg, KS!!! College kids took them to the hospital in the back of a truck.

Best news possible. I'm thrilled they are safe.

[Frazod]

Originally Posted by Alton deFlat

Here's a missing persons database. I have no idea how current or accurate it is.

http://wyhighonline.info/JoplinDB/list.php

I don't know their real names, so I'm not sure who to look for.

I really hate to ask, but does anyone know if there is a list of confirmed fatalities yet?

EDIT: On a personal level, I don't need to know now - just found out that my friend is okay. I guess his daughter's apartment got wiped out, but all family members survived unscathed and his house is even intact.

[Bob Dole]

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

One Mizzou Tornado Relief T-Shirt

http://mutigers.cbscollegestore.com/...duct_id=193994

Proceeds benefit the Joplin relief effort. On a related note, Coach Haith will be driving to Joplin with coaches/staff to deliver goods from C-Town United Way. Nice to see the new guy pitching in.

Grabbed one. Thanks for the link!

[luv]

Co-worker talked to an EMT who was in Joplin yesterday. He was so excited to go and be able to rescue people. Apparently, there was an apartment building across from the Home Depot, and the people from the apartments thought it would be a good idea to take shelter there (at HD). Out of everyone the team he was on pulled out, none had survived. The death count will also be much higher. He said that the official count contains those who they have been able to identify. There are several who they haven't been able to identify yet.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by luv

Co-worker talked to an EMT who was in Joplin yesterday. He was so excited to go and be able to rescue people. Apparently, there was an apartment building across from the Home Depot, and the people thought it would be a good idea to take shelter there. Out of everyone the team he was on pulled out, none had survived. The death count will also be much higher. He said that the official count contains those who they have been able to identify. There are several who they haven't been able to identify yet.

Ick. I remember being told that the NE corner of ANY structure is the safest place to take shelter during a tornado. I don't know if that thinking has changed or not.

[Pants]

Originally Posted by Donger

Ick. I remember being told that the NE corner of ANY structure is the safest place to take shelter during a tornado. I don't know if that thinking has changed or not.

Dang. That is good to know.

[Stinger]

Originally Posted by Donger

Ick. I remember being told that the NE corner of ANY structure is the safest place to take shelter during a tornado. I don't know if that thinking has changed or not.

Only as a last resort and there is no central small room to go into. Your best best bet is a small interior enclosure(bathroom, closet, etc.), preferably underground.

[Dartgod]

Originally Posted by luv

Co-worker talked to an EMT who was in Joplin yesterday. He was so excited to go and be able to rescue people. Apparently, there was an apartment building across from the Home Depot, and the people from the apartments thought it would be a good idea to take shelter there (at HD). Out of everyone the team he was on pulled out, none had survived. The death count will also be much higher. He said that the official count contains those who they have been able to identify. There are several who they haven't been able to identify yet.

Wow. Chilling...
Posted via Mobile Device

[Skyy God]

Originally Posted by luv

Co-worker talked to an EMT who was in Joplin yesterday. He was so excited to go and be able to rescue people. Apparently, there was an apartment building across from the Home Depot, and the people from the apartments thought it would be a good idea to take shelter there (at HD). Out of everyone the team he was on pulled out, none had survived. The death count will also be much higher. He said that the official count contains those who they have been able to identify. There are several who they haven't been able to identify yet.

Out of morbid curiosity, did those that stayed at the apartment complex do any better? I'm guessing so.

[Donger]

http://www.tornadoproject.com/myths/myths.htm

For nearly a century, the published conventional wisdom was that the southwest corner of a building, both above and below ground, afforded the best protection. This misconception probably originated from someone's reasoning, rather than from actual observations. They probably assumed that deadly debris would be propelled over the southwest corner and land in the northeast corner.

The idea that it was safe to seek shelter on the side of a house facing the oncoming tornado dates back to at least the first book on tornadoes, the 1887 comprehensive text Tornadoes, by John Park Finley. He placed in italic for emphasis the following remark: "Under no circumstances, whether in a building or in a cellar, ever take a position in a northeast room, in a northeast corner, or an east room, or against an east wall." He also recommended removing the furniture from the west-facing room and closing all windows in the house. This is all incorrect, deadly, and time-wasting advice. It is quite possible that someone has died following it. While relatively few people probably read the book when it was available, the advice was quoted in many newspapers. It is possible that in the limited number of damage surveys that Finley conducted personally, he came upon a grisly scene involving the northeast portion of a poorly constructed house that had fallen over, and it strongly influenced his thinking.

These assumptions went essentially unchallenged until 1966, when Professor Joseph Eagleman of the University of Kansas undertook a survey of destroyed produced by after the Topeka tornado of June 8th. Professor Eagleman's objective study showed that the south side and southwest corners, the direction of approach for the Topeka tornado, were the least safe areas, and the north side of homes were the safest .... both on the first floor and in the basement. He repeated the study after the Lubbock, Texas tornado of May 11, 1970, and the results were even more striking. The southwest portion of the houses were unsafe in 75% of the damaged homes .... double the percentage of unsafe areas in the northeast part of homes. As a general rule, people in basements will escape injury despite the extreme devastation above them. Being under a stairwell, heavy table, or work bench will afford even more protection.

Ignorance of this conventional wisdom, combined with common sense, has saved lives in the past. At the Pacolet Mills near Gainesville, Georgia on June 1, 1903, 550 people ran to the northeast corner of the building as the tornado approached from the southwest. That northeast corner was the only part of the building not destroyed. At least fifty people died in other Gainesville fabric mills on that day, and more than 40 more died in homes near the mills.

[Mr. Flopnuts]

This is straight from the Joplin Tornado Recovery page on Facebook.

A MO family has pledged to match up to $50,000 in donations made to this fund, beginning this morning, and 100% of proceeds go straight to Joplin with ZERO overhead.

Extra phone operators are standing by at Heart of Missouri United Way for Joplin Tornado Relief Fund!

Call 573-443-4523, go online to http://uwheartmo.org/, or text JOPLIN to 864833 to make a $10 donation.

[Fish]

Originally Posted by luv

Co-worker talked to an EMT who was in Joplin yesterday. He was so excited to go and be able to rescue people. Apparently, there was an apartment building across from the Home Depot, and the people from the apartments thought it would be a good idea to take shelter there (at HD). Out of everyone the team he was on pulled out, none had survived. The death count will also be much higher. He said that the official count contains those who they have been able to identify. There are several who they haven't been able to identify yet.

Why on earth would you take shelter in a Home Depot? If I were anywhere near one, I'd be running the opposite direction. All that lumber and equipment.... That's nothing but deadly tornado ammo. You might as well take shelter in a bowling ball factory.....

[Skyy God]

Originally Posted by KC Fish

Why on earth would you take shelter in a Home Depot? If I were anywhere near one, I'd be running the opposite direction. All that lumber and equipment.... That's nothing but deadly tornado ammo. You might as well take shelter in a bowling ball factory.....

That, and I can't imagine it'd take much to blow the roof off.