Tornado Plate #106B

Not lost in the carnage of the May 22 Jefferson City tornado is the resilience of the community.

Within a couple days affected streets that had been covered in debris were clear.

Within a week hard debris from yards and property began to be piled against the curb for removal, which came soon thereafter.

All vegetative debris – trees and whatnot – were gone by decree by the end of three weeks.

Repairs began within days and insurers be damned, although most property owners still waited for weeks and weeks. Structures beyond all hope of repair began coming down within the month.

No one was killed. Only minor injuries were reported.

Perhaps it was due to this community’s standing as the State Capital, that emergency management officials based here have drilled regularly for this contingency and worked with other communities that have experienced similar events. Regardless, the rapid response and on-going recovery from this event deserves a tremendous amount of pride.

I’m not generally one to wave the flag, I’m really not. I think the highest degree of disrespect and anti-patriotism comes with covering ideology up in the flag. I think all flags should be made of asbestos so they would be harmful to those who wrap themselves in it.

But, sometimes, it works. Sometimes everything does.

***

NOTE: Fifteen of these works depicting Jefferson City, Missouri’s May 22 tornado damage have been compiled into an artbook, which may be viewed and purchased at Capital Arts in Jefferson City, or purchased on this website in either 10-inch paperback or signed 12-inch hardcover).