EDMOND —
Cleanup crews have removed tons of loose debris left by the tornado that destroyed one-third of this city two months ago, meeting a federal deadline for 90 percent funding.
They are now moving on to the job of demolishing those damaged structures that remained standing despite the tornado’s 200-mph winds.
City Manager Mark Rohr described the rubble-clearing task as “monumental” and said it took a huge effort by volunteers and contractors to get the job done.
He said it was important to get loose debris out of the way by last Sunday because that’s when the federal funding for the cleanup dropped from 90 percent to 75 percent.
Meanwhile, the families displaced by the tornado began moving into new mobile homes provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
A special FEMA mobile home park was built across from the Joplin Regional Airport to temporarily accommodate 346 families.
Amber Flowers and her three daughters were among 36 families that moved in over last weekend.
“They’ve done a really nice thing here,” said Flowers, who survived the tornado by taking shelter in a grocery store cooler. Her mother and daughters rode out the storm in a closet at an apartment complex.
Kay and Mike Johnson were “thrilled” with their new FEMA mobile home. They hope to get to know their neighbors quickly.
“We’re a community,” Kay Johnson said.
In another tornado-related development, the United Arab Emirates embassy in Washington, D.C., pledged to give up to $1 million to help equip high school students in Joplin with new laptop computers to aid their studies.
The pledge includes $500,000 outright to the Joplin School District for Apple notebooks and up to $500,000 in matching funds for other school needs.
Joplin High School was among the buildings destroyed by the May 22 tornado that killed 160 people. Juniors and seniors will attend school in a converted box store this fall; freshman and sophomore classes will be held in an alternate school building.
“When we saw the devastation that took place, the ambassador decided that we needed to do something as a country,” said Dana al Marashi, a spokesman for the United Arab Emirates embassy.
DETAILS for this story were provided by the Joplin Globe.
Local News
Related Photos
-
ROGER NOMER | CNHI NEWS SERVICE Brad Reese, with Rocky Schell Construction, works on demolition to a medical building at 26th and Maiden Lane in Joplin.
Discussion
Joplin meets cleanup deadline for 90% federal funds
- Local News
-
-
EF-5 tornado called 'worst in history'
President Barack Obama pledged the federal government’s full support for disaster relief in what is being called one of the most devastating tornadoes in history. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has deployed a team to the state.
-
Edmond detective describes tornado devastation
Like other Oklahomans, Edmond Police Detective Marion Cain was keeping an eye on the weather Monday.
The storm, which produced the tornado began at 2:45 p.m., about 4.4 miles west of Newcastle and its 20-mile long path went through Newcastle, Moore and south Oklahoma City. About 10 minutes after it formed, it was already causing EF4 damage. Maximum winds of the tornado, upgraded to an EF5, were 200-210 mph, according to information released at 2:50 p.m. Tuesday by the National Weather Service. Its estimated maximum width was 1.3 miles. -
UPDATE: How to donate, find drop-off locations for relief supplies
Below is a listing of where donations may be taken in the Edmond area to help the Moore/Oklahoma tornado victims:
• The Edmond Sun is serving as a drop-off location for the downtown Edmond area. Supplies only may be dropped off at 123 S. Broadway and residents may use the backdoor to enter the building. Parking is available behind the building at the Festival Market Place. From 5-10 p.m. donations may be taken to Café Evoke, 103 S. Broadway.
• Edmond North High School is serving as a drop-off location for bottled water through today
• Memorial High School is serving as a drop-off location for food through today.
• Santa Fe High School is serving as a drop-off location for supplies such as work gloves, tools, etc. through today. -
Edmond high schools aid Moore, OKC tornado victims
Sometimes good things come from texting.
Monday afternoon, Sydney Richardson, who will be Santa Fe’s student body president next year, was driving home and it was raining. Once home, she talked to her mother, who told her about the tornado in Moore. Then she began seeing the damage on TV.
“It was devastating,” Richardson said. “We watched it all night long. I just felt like we needed to do something immediately.” -
City schedules debris collection for May 28
The City of Edmond’s Field Services Division of Public Works will be collecting storm-related debris from the May 19 tornado in accordance with the City of Edmond’s Emergency Operation Plan’s Level Two Response.
Affected areas where debris pick up will occur include in the area beginning one-half mile south of 15th Street to 33rd Street and from Boulevard Avenue east to I-35; and the Territories and Timberlake additions. Please see the map for clarification. Pick up is available for residential homes located within the designated boundaries.
Tree debris must be cut into no more than 6-foot sections and must be placed by the curb of the residence no later than 8 a.m. May 28. Crews will begin collection on Tuesday and continue until they have covered the area. -
Storm shelter inquiries up; customers take a number
After the horrific tornado set down in Moore Monday afternoon, storm shelter inquiries hit new highs.
Tuesday Ashley Cunningham, office manager for Red Dirt Septic on Waterloo Road in Edmond, and Mark Webb, owner of the Armor Vault Tornado Shelter in Oklahoma City, said their phones have been ringing consistently starting Monday afternoon. -
Insurers respond to Moore disaster
Insurers, like other agencies related to the Moore tornado disaster, are assessing the damage.
The Oklahoma Insurance Department has made an emergency declaration, allowing out-of-state adjusters to work storm damaged areas, said agency spokeswoman Calley Herth. It’s too soon to have tabulated damage estimates, Herth said.
“We are working hard to collect any and all numbers, but it’s just too soon at this moment,” she said. -
AG issues charity fraud and schemes alert
Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt Tuesday issued a warning for Oklahomans and donors around the country to beware of charity fraud and scams following the severe storms in Oklahoma.
-
VIDEO: Pres. Obama's remarks on the Okla. tornado
President Obama speaks on Monday's deadly Okla. tornado.
-
Photos: Aftermath of massive tornado in Moore
Storm victims were pulled from the rubble and residents began surveying the damage late Monday and early Tuesday in the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore, where a powerful tornado destroyed entire neighborhoods and left dozens dead.
- More Local News Headlines
-
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
Olivia Munn Flaunts Her Bikini Bod
Britney Spears Under Fire Once Again For Being A Bad Mom
Arias Tells Jury What She'd Do if She Gets Life
The all-new Xbox One
RAW: Massive tornado strikes Oklahoma
Nidal Hasan paid $278K while awaiting trial
VIDEO: Teacher reunites mother and son after tornado levels elementary school in Oklahoma City
Okla. tornado survivor finds dog buried alive under rubble
Jennifer Lawrence Gets Naked and Painted Blue as X-Men's Mystique
Pickler's Dance Moves Cause A Stir
Obama to tornado survivors: The country stands beside you
Reporter Cries Over Devastation
