April 2012 Joplin Mission Trip
The mission trip originally scheduled for Cedar Rapids, Iowa was changed somewhat at the last minute to Joplin Missouri instead. We had some trouble recruiting volunteers, and ended up with only two people going. They are Ken Govaerts and Steve Hughes.
This website provided a daily report of some of the things we did, so that those that could not be with us can follow our progress. Please use the navigaion buttons to the left to see each days log.
The Statistics
- 159 fatalities (Deadliest single U.S. tornado since 1947)
- Total damage estimate: $2.8 billion
- 7,500 residential dwellings damaged affecting more than 17,000 people
- Ranked #3 in the Forbes Top 10 Worst Tornadoes in US History
Joplin is having some difficulty getting started with the rebuild because so many of the homes that were destroyed were rentals. (I have heard about 85%). The landlords have taken the insurance money and are not rebuilding. This leaves vacant lots and no one to rebuild. There simply are not enough folks in Joplin who want to purchase a new home. Also, the community leaders are attempting to plan some sort of new age community development much like Greensburg Kansas and this takes time.