A Little Bit of the End of the World in Joplin, MO

If you are a Facebook friend of mine, you are probably aware that last night was a little nerve wracking for my family and me. My 70-year old Uncle Alan and Aunt Joy, their daughter Barb, and her two sons were caught up in the devastating tornado that ripped through Joplin, MO.

Yesterday afternoon Ryan, Joe and I left to go to my nephew’s graduation party. As we were leaving we caught sight of the news where the town we just moved from, Waverly, was in a tornado warning. We were scared for our friends back there and prayed no one would get hurt and hoped there wasn’t significant damage.

While at the party I had a missed call from my mom and a voicemail. I figured she was just calling to chat so I didn’t bother calling her until we were getting into the car to leave. When she answered her voice was rattled with concern. “You need to turn on The Weather Channel,” she said. I figured Waverly was hit pretty badly, but she informed me that it was Joplin that that been hit. I thought that maybe some trees had been destroyed and some structural damage had occurred, but when mom said, “Alan and Joy are trapped in their house. Their house is gone.” I knew this was much more serious.

My mom had been watching the news when she saw the breaking news announcement that Joplin had been hit by a tornado. She called Alan and miraculously she got through on his cell phone. He had gotten his family into the hallway (they have no basement.) Everyone was OK, but very shaken up. If they had been in their living room they would have been killed. Thankfully my Uncle Steve lives in a town near Joplin and he went right away to try and dig Alan and Joy out.

When we got home from the party I immediately turned on The Weather Channel and what I saw made me sick to my stomach. Total devastation. Cars on top of cars. Whole neighborhoods leveled. Even their hospital had taken a direct hit. The newscaster was visibly shaken and broke down numerous times because he had witnessed firsthand many people with injuries and dead bodies lying around. I was thankful that my family was accounted for, but I wasn’t going to rest easy until I knew my family was out of the house safely.

Thank God for Facebook. My family has a private group on there so we were able to keep each other updated. Our friends also offered their prayers and support.

A couple of hours later we got news from Uncle Steve that everyone was out of the house. My Aunt Joy had back surgery a couple months ago so her mobility is severely limited. It took them awhile to get her out. They are now safe with a roof over their head at my Uncle Steve’s home.

It’s crazy to think that your life can change in the blink of an eye. I thank the Lord that he protected my family and got them to safety. I am keeping the people of Joplin in my prayers as they mourn, search for loved ones and rebuild.

These are pictures my Uncle Steve took of the devastation surrounding my Uncle Alan’s home.

You can see more photos here.