December Tornadoes Twist Through the Ozarks

Help Can�t Wait

Deadly tornadoes ripped through southwest Missouri on Tuesday, December 17, 2002. Lawrence County Disaster Action Team members Jim and Linda Martin responded to the most densely populated area struck by a tornado, the Lucky Lady Mobile Home Park in Chesapeake, Missouri. Upon arrival, the devastation was masked by darkness and sheer terror. Sizing up the scope of this disaster, Jim and Linda recognized immediately that it was much larger than the single-family fires they were accustomed to responding to in Lawrence County. The Red Cross supervisor on-call sent additional volunteers from Greene County to help Jim and Linda. Families with no where else to turn in the middle of the night were placed in local motels and given vouchers for meals at an area restaurant.

The morning light revealed unimaginable losses. Some families saw their mobile homes and belongings twisted and disintegrated beyond recognition. Other families were grateful that they would be able to salvage some items. Reports of damage in other areas of Lawrence County in addition to damage to Barton, Hickory, Jasper and Polk Counties widened the scope of this particular disaster.

By 2:00 p.m. on December 18th, a Red Cross Service Center was opened on the square in Mount Vernon. Here, disaster victims were able to meet one-on-one with Red Cross caseworkers to make sure their immediate disaster-caused needs for food, clothes, shelter, medical assistance and mental health were met. Then, caseworkers helped families plan and execute paths of recovery.

Red Cross caseworkers also visited reported damage sites to ensure that every family affected was aware of Red Cross disaster relief. Red Cross Disaster Health Services nurses visited area hospitals to track hospitalized victims to assure them that the Red Cross would be there to help upon their release. Contact was also made with families who lost loved ones to determine how the Red Cross could best help them during a most difficult time.

Where Help Came From

Volunteer husband and wife team, Bobby and Thelma Harris from Lebanon, Missouri, planted themselves at the mobile home park site. They provided much needed food, drinks and conversation to emergency workers, clean-up crews and devastated families as they picked up the pieces of their lives. Outside of Lawrence County, disaster relief was accomplished through outreach visits made by Red Cross Disaster Action Team members. The Southwest Missouri Chapter of the Red Cross in Joplin administered relief to victims in Jasper County.

With the tornadoes touching ground just one week before the Christmas holiday, many plans were uprooted. Not only for tornado victims, but for Red Cross volunteers as well. Taking time from being with their families throughout the holidays made the volunteer gift of time a true gift. Families are recovering and the workload is lightening, but continues into the New Year until all disaster-caused needs are met. With Red Cross assistance for the first month�s rent and basic household items, families have been able to move into new homes and begin re-establishing households.

How Help Is Funded

Financial contributions from generous neighbors and organizations helped the Red Cross provide valuable assistance to our disaster-stricken neighbors. Support came from as close as Mount Vernon and from as far away as Kansas City. Donations of goods and other services helped us to be good stewards of donated dollars. Collaborative partnerships with other volunteer agencies prevented the duplication of services and ensured that victims received a variety of assistance.

Since the tornadoes left a path of destruction, the Red Cross has provided service to over 40 families and committed to spending nearly $50,000. When disaster strikes, help can�t wait. Disaster assistance is provided immediately, always without charge. Our hope is that southwest Missouri residents will respond to the need of their neighbors. Community support of Red Cross Disaster Relief is vital. Your donations are sincerely appreciated and necessary to support the life-sustaining relief work of volunteers. To make a financial contribution, Donate Now!

Disasters never take a holiday, and because of your support, the Red Cross doesn�t either. Thank you from all of us at the Greater Ozarks Chapter of the American Red Cross. We wish you a safe and peaceful New Year!