Nearly one year ago, the world was focused on Joplin. Tonight, for a much different reason, the national spotlight is again on Missouri’s southwest city that was torn to shreds by an EF-5 tornado.
President Obama talks on the phone with Governor Nixon, during his visit to Dublin, Ireland, May 23, 2011. The President extended his condolences to all impacted by the deadly tornadoes in Joplin Sunday night. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Last year, the tornado struck as parents and students were leaving the high school graduation ceremony. This year, because of that tragedy and because of a city that picked itself up and carried forward, President Obama and Governor Nixon will deliver the commencement speeches.
The storm killed 161 people … many of them were high school students.
The ceremony kicks off at 7 o’clock. We’ll be streaming the speeches live from this website.
The Joplin tornado not only leveled the high school, but more than 7,500 other buildings. It was the deadliest single storm on record.
Obama and Nixon are expected to commemorate the losses as well as celebrate the resiliance and success in recovering and rebuilding.
Here’s a look at Joplin, and the President’s reaction, just one year ago.
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