Resilience challenge
In 2011, an EF-5 tornado struck Joplin, Missouri, damaging over 7,700 homes and businesses. Joplin School District was among the hardest hit. The tornado destroyed 5 schools, displacing 4,200 students – just 88 days before the start of the new school year.
Witt O'Brien's solution
Joplin School District asked Witt O’Brien’s to be its partner as it responded to this devastating tragedy. We deployed immediately and worked on site to quantify damages, review insurance coverages and prioritize recovery tasks. We teamed with the School District, FEMA and the US Corps of Engineers to identify temporary facilities, including modular units and modifications to available structures that could serve as classrooms.
Resilience delivered
Joplin’s school programs were operational within 78 days. We supported 77 FEMA-funded projects project valued at $150 million – and helped the School District win almost $10 million in additional funding, above and beyond initial cost estimates.