Another Filipina killed in Joplin tornado

Destroyed homes are seen after a massive tornado passed through Joplin, Missouri. AP

MANILA, Philippines—Another Filipina was among the 126 who died after a tornado tore through Joplin City in Missouri last Sunday, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.

Esterlita Manansala Moore died when she was carried away from her apartment when the tornado struck, the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago reported said in a report DFA.

“The consulate has extended its message of sympathy to her sister, Aiko Uylengco, and assured her of our assistance,” Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim said.

Grace Aquino was the first reported Filipino casualty. The 46-year-old mother of three was struck by a concrete post hurled by the twister when she rushed to the aid of her son Jacob, 11.

The Joplin tornado was the deadliest single twister since the National Weather Service began keeping official records in 1950. It was the eighth-deadliest in US history.

Lim said the consulate has been coordinating with the Missouri Office of the Governor for the release of the bodies of the two Filipinas to their families.

Joplin City Manager Mark Rohr announced Thursday (Friday in Manila) that the death toll had risen to 126. More than 230 people are listed as missing.

“The 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,” he said.

There are 10,396 Filipinos in the Missouri and most of them are in St. Louis, St. Charles, Fort Leonard Wood, and Blue Springs.

Filipinos who wish to inquirer about their relatives in Missouri may contact the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency at telephone number (573) 526-9100 and fax number (573) 634-7966, the Office of the Missouri Governor at telephone number (573) 751-3222 or the American Red Cross at telephone number (1-800) 733-2767 or at its website at www.redcross.org.

With a report from The Associated Press

Originally posted 3:49 pm | Friday, May 27th, 2011