Obama 'heartbroken' by Missouri tornado devastation, will survey damage

[News_Editor]

Obama 'heartbroken' by Missouri tornado devastation, will survey damage

2011-05-24 20:21:29 GMT+7 (ICT)

JOPLIN, MISSOURI (BNO NEWS) -- U.S. President Barack Obama on Tuesday said he is 'heartbroken' by the images of devastation from Missouri, where a violent tornado rampaged through the city of Joplin.

As of early Tuesday morning, officials in Missouri said the tornado in Joplin had killed at least 117 people, making it the deadliest single tornado since modern record-keeping began in 1950. More than 400 people were reported injured.

"Like all Americans, we have been monitoring what's been taking place very closely and have been heartbroken by the images that we've seen in Joplin, Missouri, in particular," Obama said from London. "The devastation is comparable and may end up exceeding some of the devastation that we saw in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, just a few weeks ago."

Obama said his thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who are suffering. "All we can do is let them know that all of America cares deeply about them and that we are going to do absolutely everything we can to make sure that they recover," he said.

Obama said it is important to continue rebuilding efforts after the news cameras leave. "We can make sure that the families and communities upended by these storms have everything they need to pull through," the president added.

On Monday, both Obama and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano spoke with Missouri Governor Jay Nixon to discuss the situation. "We’ve offered him not only our condolences, but we've told him that we will give him every ounce of resources the federal government may have that we can bring to bear on this situation," Obama said.

Obama had previously also directed Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate to travel to Missouri to make sure the federal government works hand in hand with state and local officials. And on Sunday, Obama will personally go to Missouri.

"I myself will travel to Missouri to talk with folks who’ve been affected, to talk to local officials about our response effort and hopefully to pray with folks and give them whatever assurance and comfort I can that the entire country is going to be behind them," Obama said.

This year has been unusually deadly from tornadoes in the United States. In late April, at least 329 people were killed and more than 2,000 others were injured when a violent tornado outbreak devastated Alabama and other Southern U.S. states.

"These storms that came this weekend obviously compounded what has already been an extraordinary storm season throughout the Midwest and in the South," Obama noted. "We understand that there are more storms that are forecast today, so the thing I think I want to emphasize more than anything else, it is critical that Americans in affected areas heed storm warnings and take the lead of your local officials."

Obama added: "I know that a lot of people are wondering how they'll get through the coming days or months or even years, but I want everybody in Joplin, everybody in Missouri, everybody in Minnesota, everybody across the Midwest to know that we are here for you. The American people are by your side. We're going to stay there until every home is repaired, until every neighborhood is rebuilt, until every business is back on its feet. That's my commitment, and that's the American people's commitment.

On Monday, a National Weather Service (NWS) storm survey revealed the tornado was a violent EF-4 tornado, the second-highest rating on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. The storm survey estimated the tornado's wind speeds at up to 198 miles (318 kilometers) per hour.

In response to the disaster, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon previously activated the Missouri National Guard and declared a state of emergency. He also opened the state's Emergency Operations Center to coordinate the emergency response.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-05-24

[FOODLOVER]

Just Skyped my folks and they have just told me thousands are missing, apparently swept up or under debris. Good luck and God bless. (whomever your god or gods may be)

Apparently more tornado warning have just become in effect.

Edited May 25, 2011 by FOODLOVER