joplin, missouri

This past Saturday I had the chance to visit Joplin, MO with my Son. He is a police officer and was sent here in the early days following the devastating tornado in May of 2011. Destruction in the city covered an area roughly 1 mile wide x 7 miles long. I believe there were over 160 people that lost their lives from the tornado. We went to see the city at what is now 14 months post-disaster. Many areas have been re-built and you would never know anything happened. Other areas are still very much affected and you can see the remnants of what used to be. This lone house is mostly standing but was severely damaged and stands just as it did when the tornado came through. The tree was stripped of the foliage and looks completely dead with the exception of the one branch full of leaves on the lower left. It is a haunting scene but is a reminder of just how small we all are compared to the forces of nature.

 

I'm glad I had the chance to go see this and to record this scene in my sketchbook.

Done