Saying he was “familiar with praying in this space,” the Rev. Justin Monaghan, pastor of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, gave the blessing Wednesday morning as Empire District Electric Co. dedicated its rebuilt substation near 26th Street and Moffet Avenue.
The substation was “little more than a heap of metal and mangled wire” after the May 22, 2011, tornado, noted Martin Penning, vice president of commercial operations for the Joplin-based utility. The EF-5 tornado was so powerful that it moved a transformer that weighed 126,000 pounds.
“We believe the previous transformer had been scooted on its pad four to five inches,” he said.
Two new transformers, each of similar weight, were brought in this summer. They convert power from the 69,000-volt transmission line to 12,000 volts for distribution lines used by residences and businesses in the area.
Penning said it is important to bring the substation on line as the area rebuilds. City figures indicate that more than 75 percent of the residences destroyed in the storm have been rebuilt or are under construction.
Empire officials have said the substation was the last major component of the company’s rebuilding stemming from the tornado.
The wrecked substation was part of an estimated $20 million to $30 million in damages to Empire’s infrastructure. Six substations were damaged, as were 4,000 poles, 1,000 smaller transformers and 100 miles of electric line. Penning put the cost of rebuilding the destroyed substation at about $7 million.
The site for the substation increased after the storm, taking in part of the property that previously belonged to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, its elementary school and parish center, all of which also were destroyed in the storm. The church has announced plans to rebuild near 32nd Street and Central City Road.
Empire paved and finished off a parking lot adjacent to the large iron cross that has become one of the iconic symbols for many after the storm.
Empire upgrade
SUBSTATION 59 at 26th Street and Moffet Avenue, originally constructed in 1927, is one of about 175 substations owned by Empire District Electric Co.
May 2011 Joplin tornado
Related Photos
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The Rev. Justin Monaghan, pastor of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, joins many associated with Empire District Electric Co. on Wednesday in dedicating a reconstructed substation near 26th Street and Moffet Avenue. The substation and the nearby Catholic church and school were destroyed in the 2011 Joplin tornado. GLOBE | KEVIN McCLINTOCK
Discussion
Empire District Electric Co. dedicates rebuilt substation
- May 2011 Joplin tornado
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Federal, state leaders salute Joplin’s recovery
A deadly May twister may have punched a hole in Joplin and Duquesne two years ago, but the resolve to repair it will help other communities stand strong when they face similar disasters. That was the message of state and national diginitaries to a crowd of about 2,500 who observed the second anniversary of Joplin’s devastating May 22, 2011, storm during a ceremony Wednesday in Cunningham Park.
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SLIDESHOW: One year later, One day of unity, updated
Photos from a day of events commemorating the May 22, 2011 tornado anniversary
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Rick Rescorla award named for hero of Vietnam War, 9-11 terror attacks
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Community gearing up for two-year anniversary ceremony this afternoon
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Farmers Insurance teams up with Rebuild Joplin
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Joplin man continues struggle to recover two years after tornado
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Storms cause damage throughout the Four States
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Two plead guilty to post-tornado wire theft
Two defendants pleaded guilty Monday to stealing copper wire from utility poles in the wake of the May 22, 2011, tornado that struck Joplin. Timothy M. Silveria, 45, of Joplin, and Nycoa K. Kracht, 32, of Laurel, Ind., entered open pleas of guilty in Jasper County Circuit Court to felony counts of theft from a public utility.
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FACES OF RECOVERY: 176,869 volunteers help put Joplin together again
They initially came in droves, pouring into Joplin by the thousands during the months following the May 2011 tornado to clear debris, clean up damaged homes and businesses and distribute donations of food, water, clothing and other necessities.
- More May 2011 Joplin tornado Headlines
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