Waking up at 5:00 a.m. central time after 2 hours of somewhat resting sleep, I am reassured that God is so great through the window. The sun is beginning to rise over a clear sky! We left the Springfield Missouri area around 7:30 a.m. heading toward one of the most tragic natural disaster areas in 2011, Joplin Missouri. As we entered the city you could already tell that most of it was just recently rebuilt. However, there were many areas that are still working. The high school is in complete ruble and St. John’s Mercy Hospital has only its bare frame. I couldn’t imagine what these people were thinking when they saw a massive mile wide tornado heading in their direction. Over a hundred people lost their lives due to this disaster; but God has definitely blessed the city with the ability to rebuild.
As we continued through our journey, we crossed over Keystone Lake. Throughout the area you could see signs of recovering drought.
Entering Oklahoma we saw the Tulsa skyline, but as we moved West out of the city the Gloss Mountains made for an amazing sight of God’s artwork. These mountains are located in and around Red Rock City, Oklahoma. Farmlands have changed over to ranchlands and irrigation fields. Oil rigs also made an appearance almost every few hundred feet. Moving further West into Woodward City, Oklahoma vegetation changes to scrub grass and windmill farms were also becoming more common. Poverty has also become clearer, noticing the dying towns and dirt roads.
Throughout the afternoon parts of eastern Colorado and western Kansas were issued a meso convective outlook box discussing a possible watch being issued. Storms began to fire very quickly, but a gust front also formed out ahead of them starting a slight weakening trend. These storms were too far north of where we were located causing us to miss a lot of action. Many severe thunderstorm warnings were issued and a few tornado warnings were also issued, about this time were already made the decision to head back east for tomorrows chase.
Rebuilding God's House!
What's left of St. John's Mercy Hospital
What is left of Hope High School
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