FEMA to House Displaced Tornado Victims Near Joplin Airport
The federal government is planning to use 50 acres south of the Joplin Regional Airport to provide temporary housing for people who lost their homes in the May 22 tornado.
The Federal Emergency Management Agencysaid Tuesday that the land on Missouri 171 will accommodate up to 348 modular homes. The Joplin Globe reportsthat the agency is required to take public comment on such projects. The comment period has been shortened to three days because of the urgent need for housing.
According to FEMA, up to 624 families have said they need interim housing, although the number constantly changes. Priority for housing will be given to those staying in the Red Cross shelter at Webb City. That number had dropped to 15 as of Tuesday.
SEMA to Help Find Sand to Fight Flooding
Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon is ordering the State Emergency Management Agencyto help flood-fighting communities along the Missouri River to obtain sand. Nixon's office made the announcement on Tuesday, a day after The Associated Press reportedthat a shortage of available sand could potentially hamper flood-fighting efforts along the Missouri.
At Nixon's direction, SEMA has identified additional suppliers that could provide sand if local supplies are exhausted or running low. Nixon says communities needing sand should contact SEMA.
SLU to Study Investigational Bird Flu Vaccine
Researchers at Saint Louis Universityare looking for volunteers to participate in a study of an investigational vaccine for avian influenza - the so-called bird flu.
The research supported by the National Institutes of Healthwill compare multiple strengths of an investigational flu shot to stimulate the immune system to produce more infection-fighting antibodies.
The trial seeks 240 healthy adults nationally for the study. About 60 will participate at theSaint Louis University Center for Vaccine Development.
Researchers say the findings could be critical in stretching supplies of avian influenza vaccine in case of a bird flu pandemic.