COLUMBIA, Mo. -- For residents in Jasper and Newton counties, including the City of Joplin, Missouri, May 22, 2011 brought about life-changing events as an EF 5 tornado pummeled through communities claiming lives and devastating homes, businesses and critical infrastructure. One month later, state and federal disaster assistance has reached nearly $14 million for residents and businesses in the two counties, helping to meet temporary housing and other needs caused by the disaster.
As of today, 30 days after the Joplin tornado disaster, more than 600 federal and state employees from across the country are working to meet the needs of more than 9,000 Jasper and Newton disaster survivors who have registered for assistance.
A critical recovery mission, the removal of debris, continues in full force through the close collaboration between local, state and federal agencies. To date, more than 650,000 cubic yards of debris has been removed from the Joplin area.
"FEMA is only part of the Missouri disaster recovery team," explained Libby Turner, federal coordinating officer for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). "The coordinated efforts between federal, state, local, non-profit, private sector and faith-based organizations have provided a broad network for survivors to get the critical information, resources and disaster assistance they need most, and in a timely fashion."
Over the course of the week following the May 22 disaster, a multitude of volunteer resources, agencies and personnel sprung into action. Together with local and community officials, the City of Joplin, the State of Missouri, the Missouri Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), the Governor's Faith-based and Community Service Partnership for Disaster Recovery and FEMA worked to coordinate the assembly and movement of critical emergency supplies, medical aid and disaster relief.
Volunteer efforts included the opening of operation of 6 shelters, 120 Points of Distribution, and a Volunteer Reception Center managed by members of AmeriCorps, which has processed more than 32,000 volunteers. In just a month's time, volunteers have worked over 190,000 hours. Disaster recovery volunteers have also included players, coaches and staff from the NFL St. Louis Rams, who helped with cleanup efforts in Joplin. The team also recorded public service announcements with FEMA to promote community preparedness and encourage survivors to apply for assistance at 1-800-621-FEMA.
Another community partner, the Missouri Humane Society, continues to reunite pets lost after the tornado disaster with their owners. To date, more than 500 pets have been reunited with their human companions. Now a month later, the Humane Society continues to work jointly with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and several emergency animal shelters in Joplin to reunite more than 600 pets that are still absent from their owners.
Federal, state and local officials have also teamed up with the Independent Living Center and other disability organizations to serve as a resource for individuals with disabilities, access and other functional needs. Through focused disability integration efforts in Missouri, FEMA continues to take steps ensure the whole community -- including people with disabilities, seniors and those with low English proficiency -- has the same opportunity to benefit from disaster assistance programs.
As recovery efforts continue, the following summary outlines the progress that has been made over the first 30 days following the Joplin tornado disaster:
Individual Assistance: $14 million in federal assistance approved for Jasper and Newton counties
• $5.6 million in Housing Assistance which includes rental and home repair assistance, and • $8 million in Other Needs Assistance which may include losses and damage to personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, moving expenses and other disaster-related costs • 9,802 disaster survivors registered with FEMA for Individual Assistance
SBA Assistance as of 6/19/11: Over $9.3 million in disaster loans approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration for the Joplin area; $7.3 million to help pay for residential and personal property losses and $2 million to help pay for business losses.
36 Recovery Missions assigned to 17 Federal agencies with anticipated costs of $250 million. FEMA is only part of a large team that can bring resources to assist a community in its response and recovery efforts. These mission assigned agencies, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Energy, General Services Administration, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and a number of others are able to take on a variety of projects which will supplement state and local efforts to assist communities in Jasper and Newton Counties move forward.
Key Recovery Missions • 652,121 cubic yards of debris removed by the USACE • USACE continues to work with city and school officials to identify and design critical facilities for schools, Saint John’s Hospital, and first responders • Over 49,000 containers of household hazardous waste removed from Joplin • EPA continues removal of “white goods” or major appliances such as refrigerators, and electrical goods • Through CNCS and AmeriCorps, more than 32,000 volunteers have worked over 190,000 hours
More than 20 Community Organizations actively involved in the Joplin Long Term Recovery Group. This collective group of non-profit, private sector, faith-based, social service and civic organizations are working collaboratively to discuss and establish plans to meet the needs left behind in the recovery period following the disaster.
7 FEMA Community Relations (CR) teams consisting of 21 CR Specialists have visited hundreds of disaster survivors and have distributed thousands of flyers in a variety of languages following the wake of the Joplin tornado disaster.
2 Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are open in Joplin to provide assistance to those affected by recent severe storms, floods and tornadoes. 5 additional DRCs are open throughout the state, with 2 more DRCs scheduled to open this week. The DRCs are staffed by representatives from FEMA and the SBA to provide assistance and information to disaster survivors.
Missouri disaster survivors are encouraged to register with FEMA if they haven't done so already. The last day to register with FEMA for federal disaster aid is July 8