Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Photos from Joplin, MO you won't see on the networks

I've battled high winds, hail, thunder, lightening, and rain for the past day and night, so turned my computer off. When I finally turned it back on a couple of hours ago, I found these images from one of my friends, who took these photos with her cell phone. All photos are from St. John's, but I have no idea how she got access to the building.


This is one of the side yards at St. John's Regional Medical Center. I doubt there are any windows left in the building.




Above you can see part of the administration building and how the windows are blown out of the inner offices.


This is one of the waiting rooms.


This is the outdoor cafeteria. It just goes to show the quirky nature of tornadoes. The iron railing is twisted like a piece of licorice, several of the concrete columns around the building are rubble, but the wooden fence, gate, and trees in this court yard are standing and undamaged.


More destruction.


Not only did the tornado take or uproot everything, the rain entering through the windows and ceilings kept the building in water most of yesterday, allowing the mold to grow among the mud and debris. At this point, structural engineers are determining if the building is safe. This hospital may never recover.


Of course, it was probably one of the safer places to be last Sunday. Note the trees are barren in the above photo, but there are leaves in the one two images up.



You wouldn't have been safe if you stood in this chair's path. I was told this is not a rotated photo. Instead, the chair is lodged in the wall.

I appreciate my friend sending these photos. The destruction is unreal, and that is just the building! Imagine all the lives that were affected in this hospital.

19 thoughtful remarks:

Julia Dunnit said...

Oh Elizabeth, these are way more striking than the awful destruction I've seen online, I suppose because they are straight from experience. It's incredible, amazing and really frightening to think of the arbitary forces, let alone experience them. I'm very glad to read that you won your battle. Keep well and safe.x

Ohhh Snap said...

It's amazing that anyone walked away from this.

olive said...

heavens, what can you say....... its heartbreaking looking at these, who looks after those injured from this hospital. Its like a catch 22 situation. take care and keep safe. hugs Olive xxx

Clare with paint in her hair said...

this is crazy! I cant understand why anyone would live where that happens year on year! I certainly wouldnt.

Anonymous said...

So sad. I worked for most of my adult life in a large Medical Center so these pictures and the ones on the news really hit home. I hope the recovery goes well.

Darla - still Anon this morning.

PeggyR said...

My heart goes out to all those people.

Unknown said...

Makes you think again how blessed we are in some situations Gosh this must of been just awful for all concerned

Love & prayers to them all Dawn xx

Terri Kahrs said...

To know that people actually survived this terrible destruction is nothing short of a miracle, Elizabeth. Thank God that you and yours are safe and sound. Makes my computer woes less than a grain of sand and really puts emphasis on the importance of life. Stay safe. Love & hugs, Terri xoxo

Sue said...

Hi ya hun
have seen some pics on tv awful destruction, my heart goes out to you all, keep safe hun, hugs sue,xx

Dianne said...

WOW. photos probably don't even begin to show the devastation, and they are incredible. cannot begin to understand what it was like. praying the people there receive what they need very soon...

Unknown said...

That is just devastating .... I think of you and Nathalie (Artist's Legacy, missouri) in all of this wild weather and hope you stay safe!!!

voodoo vixen said...

Your friends photos certainly bring home the enormity of the devastation, don't they? I was watching the news this morning and was amazed that one house was reduced to matchsticks and its neighbour was untouched... hope you and your friends stay safe!!

Kathy L said...

So tragic...My heart and prayers arewith thefolks in Joplin today.Thank God you are safe:)

Nicks said...

OMG that is so scary xxxx

~*~Patty S said...

very happy that you're OK E
the devastation and suffering are hard to imagine, even after seeing photos...heart breaking...leaves me speechless

stay safe!
oxo

Halle said...

Oh my gosh! I immediately thought about you when I heard Joplin. I knew you had a connection to this town. The pictures are incredible. I am ever so thankful that the funnel clouds that were spotted west of us skipped over our area. I feel bad saying that but we have to be thankful for what we have and help those in need since we can.

Theresa MacNaughton said...

This is both terrifying and heartbreaking. So many lives affected. Stay safe where you are and have a good weekend. Theresa

Priti Lisa said...

Hi Elizabeth, so glad to see you are ok. The weather is so unpredictable...we have been having tornadoes touch down here every week for the last 2 months. PA doesn't have tornadoes as a rule, they aren't quite as bad as yours, but scary all the same. I am happy to see your happy porch~Yay!
and as always your art (round-robin) rocks! ♥♥♥

Gez Butterworth said...

Good gracious Elizabeth.. I am lost for words..