Should Joplin provide tornado maps? January 18, 2012

A new map that details the path of a deadly tornado that ravaged Joplin, Mo., is being distributed by the local chamber of commerce, reported KOAM-TV in nearby Pittsburg, Kan. And that’s causing a few headaches for the agency.

The station reported:

The map is being put out by the Joplin Convention and Visitors Bureau (on Facebook) and marks the path of the tornado, showing visitors where they can find certain tornado landmarks, like the remnants of Saint John’s and Joplin High School.

Some residents fear the city is trying to capitalize on tornado tourism.  A Facebook has recently been created called Joplin Citizens Against Tornado Tours. [...]

“We are not actively promoting ‘tornado tours’” says the Director of the Joplin Convention and Visitors Bureau, Pat Tuttle.

The Joplin CVB also made this statement on its Facebook page, in part:

For the past seven months, the JCVB office has received numerous phone calls and in-office requests for a map or description of the affected area.  These requests come from visiting volunteer groups, contractors and out of state workers, weather watchers, media, writers and bloggers, travel groups, individuals and tour bus operators.  The map was produced as a low-cost information piece in response to these types of inquiries.  It is not a marketing piece.  The purpose of the map was not to “sell” the sites to anyone…it was to provide a snapshot of information to visitors who were already traveling to Joplin and either guide them through the zone using the main roads and staying out of the residential areas as much as possible or to outline where the zone is so that an alternate route for travel could be determined.

Our intention was not to be insensitive or disrespectful of those who lost loved ones or their property.  It was simply to address a situation that was already occurring and hopefully help inform our out of town visitors about the devastating effects of the tornado and emphasize the positive efforts of the community working towards recovery.

I don’t think the Joplin CVB is doing the wrong thing here. It seems its intentions were good. It’s just something that got blown out of proportion or misinterpreted because emotions remain raw eight months after the twister. More than 160 people dying and a third of the town being destroyed will keep people on edge.

At the same time, Joplin’s residents are going to have to cope with this disaster. Like it or not, the May 22 tornado has become a major part of the town’s history, and will forever more. The hurt won’t go away completely. But some reconciliation — whether it’s through a monument or an annual memorial service — is needed.

Oklahoma City dealt with its terrorist bombing in 1995 by building the Oklahoma City National Memorial at the site. I’m sure more than a few residents are disturbed it has become a tourist attraction. I hold no doubts that a few visitors are there due solely to morbid fascination. But many other visitors were genuinely moved by the disaster when it happened, and feel compelled to visit the memorial. Best of all, the site also has become a source of comfort for the victims’ families.

And let’s face it — the more visitors that Joplin attracts, the more money goes into coffers and speeds its recovery. I’ve made it a point since the disaster to stop in Joplin every time I’m passing through and ring up some business there. Whether it’s money for gasoline, a meal, or souvenirs, that’s cash that’s pumping into Joplin’s economy.

The damage is profoundly disturbing, as the above video shows, and still is months later. But I recommend stopping to see the Wall of Hope at 20th and Main streets (map here). This is public art that spring up spontaneously. It’s moving and uplifting. You can read the blog post by Emily (aka Redforkhippie) about the wall.