Following the devastating tornado that hit Joplin (in the state of Missouri) on May 22 2011, and that has left 142 dead and many other missing, the President has expressed his concern (apart from several world leaders) by saying that this disaster requires a ‘national response’.
Injuring almost 900 people in its path, the tornado is considered to be the most destructive in United States history. In honoring the victims in a memorial service held exactly a week after the tornado struck Joplin, the President attended a memorial service and held one minute’s silence at 1741 hrs.
President Obama also visited the hardest hit areas with Jay Nixon, the Missouri Governor, and discussed the ‘tragedy’ with the city’s inhabitants while also urging Americans to make donations to the Red Cross and other organizations that are involved with relief efforts.
But this isn’t the first time that the President has felt the need to be present at the scene of natural disasters to provide reassurance to the people, as he made sure that he visited the victims of the Tuscaloosa tornadoes and Mississippi floods.
In his speech at the Taylor Performing Arts Center later, he said, “Joplin will rebuild and as president I can promise you, we will be with you every step of the way.”
With the city manager, Mark Rohr, providing the details of the extent of damage that the city has suffered, it is now up to the federal government to come up with a plan that can bring the city back to a state of normalcy while rescue efforts continue for the 105 people that are missing.
