In a continued effort to keep everyone informed with the real time happens in Joplin, Mo., I’ve secured the following interview. My cousin, Sidra Zaidi, a Joplin native, recently interviewed her friend, Daniel Crawford, 22, regarding his experience with the recent Joplin tornado.
Sidra Zaidi: What do you think the future holds?
Daniel Crawford: Months if not years of rebuilding. So many people have to start over from nothing. Many people lost their jobs and businesses. It is going to be a long road to recovery.
Sidra Zaidi: Can you describe some of the most gripping things you’ve seen or experienced?
Daniel Crawford: Walking through the affected area afterwards we came across a man trapped under his house. His legs were turning black and he said he couldn’t feel anything. Two friends tried to free him for about 20 min. before rescue workers came and helped pull him out. Just standing on one side of Joplin and seeing all the way to the other because there was just nothing left.
On a more positive note, I’ve learned that disaster crews recovered several personal effects from my cousin Navid Zaidi’s home, so all was not lost after all!
Sidra’s mom, Dr. Tabassum Saba Zaidi, in front of their home after the tornado.