By JOSEPH G. LARIOSA

(© 2011 Journal Group Link International)

C HICAGO (jGLi) – A woman believed to be of Filipino descent was confirmed dead in the wake of an “EF-5” tornado that left at least 125 people dead and injured 750, with nine rescued and an unknown number of people still missing last Sunday (May 22) in Joplin, Missouri.

An EF-5 tornado carries winds of more than 200 miles per hour.

Consul General Leo M. Herrera-Lim of the Philippine Consulate of the Midwest identified the fatality as Grace Aquino, who died when the wall of Harmony Heights Baptist Church in Joplin fell on her at the height of the tornado, one of the deadliest on record.

Mr. Herrera-Lim said that Aquino is survived by her husband, Rizaldy, two daughters and a son.

He said he is still confirming the other reported victim, Esterlita Moore.

It was reported that Aquino was one of the three worshippers, who died during the deadly tornado in Joplin that is still reeling from relentless rain and threat of more-severe weather that are holding back efforts to rescue other victims and cleanup during the last two days.

There was 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.

Greg Walker, student pastor at Forest Park Baptist Church, asked for prayers that the rain and lightning would stop.

It was reported by Baptist Press that last Sunday evening, 53 people at Harmony Heights Baptist Church were listening as pastor Charlie Burnett preached when storm sirens began to sound. Burnett moved everyone into the designated storm shelter interior rooms of the church (it had no basement). Moments later, the tornado hit the church, tearing it apart.

"It is a miracle that many survived," according to Steve Patterson, director of missions for the Spring River Baptist Association based in Joplin.

Empire Baptist Church, near the heavily damaged hospital that has received extensive media attention, was likely a total loss, Patterson said. No one was injured there.

"The whole sanctuary wall collapsed and that caused the roof to cave in and the windows to blow out," he said.

Eastvue Baptist Church was spared, but its pastor, Tim Sumners, is one of the hundreds whose homes were destroyed. Patterson added that all of the churches affiliated with the association had at least one member who lost a home.

John Marshall, president of the Missouri Baptist Convention and pastor of Second Baptist Church in Springfield, reported that Forest Park, the largest church in Joplin, has several injured members and one fatality. More than 30 members lost their homes.

The National Weather Service reported it was the eighth deadliest tornado in U.S. history. President Barack Obama is planning on visiting Joplin Sunday. # # #

Editor’s Note: To contact the author, please e-mail him at: (lariosa_jos@sbcglobal.net)