Joplin Tornado 2011
Background
June 2011 I spent the month on the road. I did 4 weddings in the DC area along with giving some photo-presentations and making photo-stops all along the way. This was taken towards the end of the trip.
Eye Opener
I drove a little out of my way to visit my first ever area of Tornado Destruction … and it was an eye opener. Having lived my life in areas that there are not tornados i learned so much more than I could have ever learned from all my times watching the wizard of Oz haha
The documenter in me
I was so drawn to taking these pictures it really brought out the documenter and street photographer in me.
In fact it was really hard for me to spend so little time in Joplin, but I was late getting to a interview and presentation in Oklahoma City. Therefore I could only take pictures from the car and for very little time.
Yes… all pictures are taken from inside the car.
#drivebyjarvie
Why show them now
Because I just watched all 5 seasons of storm chasers, all in one week.
It’s bringing back that bug and half way through I remembered that a year ago I took these pictures. I think it’s very easy (for some people) to be mesmerized by the power of storms.
These were all taken in june… a month after the tornado passed through Joplin.
The tornado was the most powerful variety. EF5
Really powerful images, Scott. Have you ever gone storm chasing? I’ve gone out for the last seven years. It really takes your breath away (if you’re into that kind of thing).
Just stumbled across these while looking at your facebook archives. This place really was not recognizeable. I used to visit my brother who lived in Joplin as a kid. Thanks for sharing these.