[Sciencewoman]

My sister and her husband are moving to Joplin to join medical practices this summer. They are coming back today from house-hunting. They had made a previous offer, but the inspection failed because black mold developed in that house during weather exposure/remodeling from the Joplin tornado. She said the first thing out of the realtor's mouth at every house is info about the safe room, storm shelter, etc. Most of the houses they're looking at are complete rebuilds or extensive remodels because so many homes were damaged or destroyed. They had also considered joining practices near Tulsa, and she said none of the realtors there mentioned tornado shelters at all.

They're building a second hospital in Joplin, and it's located "kitty corner" from the other hospital. The prevailing direction of tornadoes was taken into consideration, so that it is highly unlikely both would be damaged during another tornado. My sister said that the tornado has really affected the psyche of the city.

It breaks my heart to think about the children killed by the Oklahoma tornado.