[Press Release] : FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: City prepared to help Joplin recover

[Press Releases]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Tony St. Romaine
Assistant City Manager
(573) 808-1576 
                                                                   
Toni Messina
Director, Public Communications
(573) 874-7660


City prepared to help Joplin recover

COLUMBIA, MO (May 23, 2011) - City Manager Mike Matthes said today, "As Joplin begins the work to recover from the tornado, our hearts and minds are with them. We all want to help, and we will help."

Matthes named Assistant City Manager Tony St. Romaine as the lead point of contact to coordinate city assistance to the area. He is organizing a targeted response based on the needs in Joplinand the city of Columbia's ability to assist.  

St. Romaine said that the worst in nature seems to bring out the best in people. "We really feel for the people affected by the tornado that hit Joplin last night," he said, "and we're ready to help them as soon as they ask."

St.Romaine has talked with his counterpart, Joplin Assistant City Manager Sam Anselm. "There is a wave of assistance flowing from Springfield, other towns in the region and from western Missouri. Sam knows that we're ready with heavy equipment, operators, tools, health and safety resources and personnel if needs outstrip what they have.

"All requests for resources are being coordinated by the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the Local Emergency Operations Center in the area," St. Romaine said.

Columbia Water & Light maintains a mutual aid agreement with other electric utilities for disaster recovery. Three Columbia firefighters are part of the county's Task Force One, now deployed in the Joplin area. Other assistance could come from the city departments of Public Works, Parks and Recreation and Public Health and Human Services.

Those on the ground in Joplin have made it clear, however, that the Red Cross has volunteer and donation efforts well in-hand. At this time, St. Romaine said, the agency asks those who want to help to consider making cash donations instead of arriving at the disaster site. 

The Red Cross is directing donors to www.redcross.org where money can be specifically marked to go to Joplin relief efforts. The agency encourages people to register on the Red Cross Safe and Well website to let loved ones know they are safe by visiting www.redcross.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). From a smart phone, visit www.redcross.org/safeandwell and click on the "List Yourself as Safe and Well" or "Search for Friends and Family" link.

Columbia Salvation Army Major Kendall Mathews said that cash and personal care items (no food) will be accepted at 1108 West Ash. Donors can get more information at www.tsacentralmissouri.org.


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