Safety reminder from Joplin officials concerning depressions - KOAM TV 7

Safety reminder from Joplin officials concerning depressions

Joplin city officials remind people to be careful around homes and businesses destroyed by the tornado, particularly around in-ground pools, basements, and other depressions.

City officials say a person could fall, and even drown because of water that has collected in the depression.

They suggest that Joplin home and business owners secure these areas with temporary fencing.

"Under normal circumstances, you are required - obviously, these are not normal circumstances," says Dan Pekarek of the Joplin Health Department.  "Right now we're just trying to remind people, go ahead and get out there, and if you've got one of those pools that remains, or a basement, that's a hazard.  And really it's a liability to the property owner, too."

City officials say they're thankful that so far no one has been injured or drowned by falling into these depressions.