Joplin, Mo., September 22, 2011 -- Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano (middle), FEMA Deputy Administrator Richard Serino (right) and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan tour the damaged high school. Just four months after a tornado destroyed the school, students were able to start the new school year on time in temporary facility.
Yesterday, we shared a blog featured on the Blog @ Homeland Security from Secretary Napolitano describing her visit to Joplin, Mo. alongside FEMA Deputy Administrator Rich Serino and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to survey the progress of the ongoing recovery efforts.
They spent much of their day touring the temporary high school and visiting with students and local leaders who have been instrumental in the town’s recovery. Despite the local high school being destroyed from a deadly tornado this spring, students started this academic year on time- demonstrating the tremendous resiliency in the Joplin community.
Here are a few a few news stories recapping yesterday’s visit to Joplin:
- Federal officials again praise Joplin’s tornado recovery effort (Joplin Globe)
- Officials visit post-tornado Joplin 'mall school' (Associated Press)
- Homeland Secretary tours Joplin and promises support (KOAM)
As Secretary Napolitano stated, although great amounts of progress have been made, there is still much that needs to be done. For more information on the ongoing recovery efforts in Joplin, visit the state’s disaster page.
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