Joplin Tornado Nine Years Later

I recall someone saying shortly after the devastating Joplin tornado in May of 2011 that it would probably take five years before the town would be back to normal—meaning basically that it would take that long before all or most visible signs of the tornado had been erased, commerce had resumed at its previous level, and so forth. Replying to the first comment, another person, a disaster expert from FEMA or some such individual, said, no, it would take more like ten years. At the time, I thought the first person was probably right, because it seemed almost inconceivable that it would take ten years for the town to erase nearly all signs of the tornado.

And the progress was, indeed, fast at first. Within just two or three months after the tornado, houses and places of business were going up right and left. But after three or four years, the pace started slowing markedly, and after five years, there were still plenty of signs of the tornado, such as empty lots where houses or buildings had once stood. And even now, over nine years after the tornado, there are still vacant lots scattered throughout Joplin where structures stood before the tornado, particularly along West 26th Street and on Main Street between 20th and 26th. One glaring example, until very recently, was the large lot at the southwest corner of 26th and McClelland, across the street from where the old Mercy Hospital was located. A convenience store/pharmacy was once located at this site, along with a complex of doctors’ offices. Just a few weeks ago, construction on a new Aldi’s Supermarket began at the location, so we’ll soon be buying groceries where we once bought gasoline or went to the doctor. (Photo below.)

Another obvious example is the northwest corner of 26th and Main, where a Braun’s restaurant is supposed to be built but has not yet gotten beyond the planning stage. A Safeway supermarket once stood on this site, but I believe the property had been purchased by the Salvation Army at the time of the tornado. (Photo below)

So, I guess I was wrong when I second-guessed the person who predicted that it would take at least ten years for Joplin to get back to a point where very few signs of the tornado were apparent. It still seems a little astounding that it has taken this long, but seeing is believing.