Response and Recovery after the Joplin Tornado: Lessons Applied and Lessons Learned

The Independent Review: A Journal of Political Economy 18(2) 2013: 165-188.

37 Pages Posted: 7 May 2013 Last revised: 25 Jan 2017

See all articles by Daniel J. Smith

Daniel J. Smith

Middle Tennessee State University - Department of Economics and Finance; Middle Tennessee State University - Jennings A. Jones College of Business

Daniel Sutter

University of Oklahoma

Date Written: May 6, 2013

Abstract

An EF-5 Tornado struck Joplin, MO on May 22, 2011, leaving a twenty mile long path of destruction in its wake. An estimated 7,500 homes and over 500 businesses were damaged or destroyed, with damage estimated at up to $3 billion. Joplin has seen a rapid recovery despite the extensive damage. The Joplin tornado provides a valuable opportunity to determine if findings from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina apply to other major natural disasters. This study uses interviews with various government officials, church leaders, charities, business owners, and homeowners, as well as conventional data, to examine the response and recovery efforts in Joplin. We argue that Joplin’s rapid recovery is a result of Federal, state and local officials letting the voluntary sector, including businesses, national charities, churches, and local community groups, lead the response and recovery.

Keywords: disasters, disaster management, recovery, tornadoes, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

JEL Classification: H84, Q54

Suggested Citation

Smith, Daniel J. and Sutter, Daniel, Response and Recovery after the Joplin Tornado: Lessons Applied and Lessons Learned (May 6, 2013). The Independent Review: A Journal of Political Economy 18(2) 2013: 165-188., Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2261353 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2261353

Daniel J. Smith (Contact Author)

Middle Tennessee State University - Department of Economics and Finance ( email )

MTSU Box 190
1301 E. Main St.
Murfreesboro, TN 37132-0001
United States

HOME PAGE: http://www.danieljosephsmith.com/

Middle Tennessee State University - Jennings A. Jones College of Business ( email )

TN
United States

Daniel Sutter

University of Oklahoma ( email )

307 W Brooks
Department of Economics Office Hest 329
Norman, OK 73019
United States
405-325-2861 (Phone)

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