David South visits Joplin

On their drive into Joplin, Judy and David saw a lot of devastation. 

On their drive into Joplin, Judy and David saw a lot of devastation.  (Judy and David South)

Here’s a building that was damaged but not totally flattened.

Here’s a building that was damaged but not totally flattened. (Judy and David South)

The ground is bare where subdivisions once stood.

The ground is bare where subdivisions once stood. (Judy and David South)

Total destruction. Structures flattened. Trees uprooted. Much debris everywhere.

Total destruction. Structures flattened. Trees uprooted. Much debris everywhere. (Judy and David South)

Looking at miles of wreckage made us very sad.

Looking at miles of wreckage made us very sad. (Judy and David South)

In the background, there is a hospital that survived but in need of much repair.

In the background, there is a hospital that survived but in need of much repair. (Judy and David South)

Note the concrete foundations. Unexplainably, entire blocks of homes were flattened, yet one was left virtually untouched.

Note the concrete foundations. Unexplainably, entire blocks of homes were flattened, yet one was left virtually untouched. (Judy and David South)

Not much of anything is still standing upright.

Not much of anything is still standing upright. (Judy and David South)

It’s a sad, desolated area.

It’s a sad, desolated area. (Judy and David South)

The tornado easily uprooted most of the trees.

The tornado easily uprooted most of the trees. (Judy and David South)

The once inviting landscape is now dotted with ugly piles of wreckage.

The once inviting landscape is now dotted with ugly piles of wreckage. (Judy and David South)

Houses in the background are covered with blue tarps. Although not destroyed, they received severe damage.

Houses in the background are covered with blue tarps. Although not destroyed, they received severe damage. (Judy and David South)

Another area in which the trees were literally torn apart.

Another area in which the trees were literally torn apart. (Judy and David South)

This apartment complex was destroyed beyond salvage.

This apartment complex was destroyed beyond salvage. (Judy and David South)

Another ruined subdivision. 

Another ruined subdivision.  (Judy and David South)

Some houses survived but need lots of work.

Some houses survived but need lots of work. (Judy and David South)

A beyond-salvage hospital is in the background and the area all around it is flattened.

A beyond-salvage hospital is in the background and the area all around it is flattened. (Judy and David South)