Hundreds gathered in Joplin, Mo., on May 22 to pay tribute to the 166 people who lost their lives in last year's deadly EF-5 tornado.
The gathering also honored skilled first responders—including rescue workers and medical staff—who treated more than 500 injured and carried out 22 life-saving surgeries.
The service took place at Freeman Hospital West, where CEO Paula Baker extolled "ordinary people performing extraordinary deeds."
Two people who responded to the tragedy last year shared their stories with National Underwriter:
SURVEYING THE DESTRUCTION
Eric Dempsey, Technical-Loss Consultant, Amset Technical Consulting Inc.
On May 26, 2011, I was on assignment to evaluate damages for one of our firm's clients. I knew right away this was not going to be a typical assignment.
The utter scope of the damages after the tornado was surreal. Everywhere I looked, buildings were flattened to the ground. People were wandering around, rummaging through the rubble or simply waiting for someone to show up.
The tornado had carved a path of destruction through the heart of the city—it was three-quarters of a mile wide and six miles long.
For days after the tornado—including while I was there—thunderstorms continued to pound the area, further hindering the recovery efforts. Residents faced an uphill battle just to get to their homes and businesses, and it was apparent that it would be a long time before rebuilding could even begin.
One of the losses I inspected was a manufacturing plant that had suffered severe damages. The insured had decided early on that it would not rebuild in Joplin. It was difficult for me speaking with the employees of the plant, knowing they would all be without a job the following week.
Even though I took more than 1,000 photos during my two-day inspection, I just didn't feel right about taking pictures of people. It seemed too intrusive.
In the claims business, we regularly meet people who have recently been through a traumatic event involving the loss of their home or business—and often a friend or relative. When our job involving the property claim is done, we typically move on to the next claim.
When I hear Joplin mentioned in a conversation, it makes me pause to remember that, for the residents and businesses in Joplin, the rebuilding process is still ongoing and true recovery will take much longer.
SAVING LIVES, SAYING PRAYERS: INSIDE A TRIAGE UNIT
Dwight Douglas, General Counsel, Freeman Health System
Shortly after 5 p.m. on May 22, I pulled to the curb at the Freeman Health System office, which is located about 150 feet south of the ambulance bay at Freeman West Hospital.
As I was getting out of my car, the weather sirens began to sound. The air was still and eerie. You could sense that this was different. By 5:50 p.m., it was clear that we had a problem.
Cars began arriving with the injured, and strangers were bringing in people who could no longer care for themselves. This continued for the next six hours and more. It was not long before pickup trucks began arriving with patients lying on boards, doors and other makeshift items.
The waiting room filled quickly, and we worked to keep a path open to the ER for those who were most severely injured. A pickup arrived with two injured patients: one with major scalp injuries; another with steel imbedded in his skull.
There are many more stories—some I don't think I can write about for a long time, and perhaps never. But I can tell you on that night, not one person raised his or her voice unless it was to cry out in pain; not one person complained or said, "Take me first."
This event makes anyone take pause to try to understand why so much suffering was inflicted on so many innocent people. Yet I can tell you that it is time to rejoice in the resilience of the human spirit.
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