Pinay dies as deadly tornado hits Missouri

A Filipino woman died last weekend as a massive tornado blasted its way across southwestern Missouri in the United States. Grace Aquino died on Saturday when the wall of a church in the city of Joplin fell on her while attempting to save her son, according to Leo Herrera-Lim of the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago. The tornado slammed into the city earlier this week with cataclysmic force, tearing into a hospital, upending dozens of cars, and scrubbing entire neighborhoods to the earth. Aquino is only one of those hundred people killed in what the US National Weather Service considered as the single deadliest twister in America in the past 60 years. The victim is survived by her husband Rizaldy, two daughters, and a son, according to Herrera-Lim. According to a report on GMA News TV’s “News to Go," Aquino and her family have been based in Missouri for at least 10 years, and they only encountered such a disastrous calamity at this time. Aquino’s daughter, Divine, called on the Philippine government to help her family and the rest of the Filipinos affected by the deadly tornado, the report said. “Marami kaming mga kaibigan dito na nawalan ng bahay at properties. I’m sure they can use some help para makuha nila passport nila or anything that they need. We would appreciate it kung may gustong tumulong," said Divine. Hurled by twister More than 50 people inside the Harmony Heights Baptist Church — where a concrete post hurled by the twister struck Aquino — were listening to pastor Charlie Burnett when sirens began to alarm, according to reports. The pastor moved everyone into the church’s storm shelter. The tornado hit the church moments later, tearing the establishment apart. “It is a miracle that many survived," according to Steve Patterson, director of missions for the Spring River Baptist Association based in Joplin. Reports have it also that residents in the city and communities nearby are still struggling as rains and threats of more severe weather are holding back authorities to rescue victims. There is still a bleak forecast of storms and winds of 20-30 miles per hour and occasional thunderstorms with damaging winds, large hails, and even possible tornado in the area. 10,396 Filipinos in Missouri In a Department of Foreign Affairs statement, Herrera-Lim said the entry to Joplin is restricted to emergency responders who are still conducting search and rescue operation in the area. But he said Philippine authorities are already in contact with the Filipino community leaders in Missouri. “Consulate will send a team to Joplin as soon as the weather conditions settle down in the region and it is safe for travel. Tornados continue to strike in Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, and Illinois is under a severe thunderstorm warning," Herrera-Lim said. There are about 10,396 Filipinos in Missouri, with most of them are in St. Louis, St. Charles, Fort Leonard Wood, and Blue Springs. In the meantime, Filipinos who have relatives in Missouri may contact the following for updates:

• Missouri State Emergency Management Agency: (573) 526-9100 and (573) 634-7966
• Office of the Missouri Governor: (573) 751-3222
• American Red Cross: (1-800) 733-2767 or www.redcross.org