Photo By Andrew Stamer | Alex Watt, a rapid response vehicle operator at the Los Angeles District, is among...... read more read more
JOPLIN, Mo. — More than 200 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers employees from around the country are engaged in recovery missions following the strike of a tornado here, May 22.
Alex Watt, a rapid response vehicle operator at the Los Angeles District, is among employees providing aid to people impacted by the tornado in Joplin. Watt is serving as a quality assurance representative keeping a watchful eye on the debris removal mission along public rights-of-way in the city.
“We've moved a lot of debris,” Watt said of the combined corps-contractor team assigned to remove an estimated two million cubic yards of debris. “It's a way of getting the town back to where they can rebuild.”
Watt, a long time resident of Southern California, is no stranger to devastation. Disaster struck him three decades ago when a massive 1982 fire, dubbed the “firestorm,” torched his Anaheim, Calif., apartment complex. More than 50 buildings and nearly 500 apartments were destroyed.
“My apartment building was first [to go up in flames],” he said. “I know what it feels like. We got a lot of help from the Red Cross and the Salvation Army, so now I have a chance to give back.”
Back in his home district, Watt drives the 37-foot RRV throughout the community to promote the corps and to share the stories of the various disaster recovery missions the corps participated in over the years. Here in Joplin, Watt is connecting with residents who suffered great loss at the hands of the tornado, sharing messages of hope in the midst of devastation.
“A lot of stuff I went through I’m able pass on,” Watt said. “It’s information that will help them down the road.”
The debris removal mission is one of three that the corps is performing under the National Response Framework in Joplin; FEMA also assigned the corps missions to provide temporary housing and temporary public facilities, like schools and fire stations. These temporary structures will be used until repairs can be done or permanent facilities can be built.
For information on the Joplin Tornado Response or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers visit http://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/index.cfm.
| Date Taken: | 07.06.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 07.06.2011 12:18 |
| Story ID: | 73286 |
| Location: | JOPLIN, MISSOURI, US |
| Web Views: | 148 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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