Joplin hospital ruined by tornado rebuilt stronger

JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) - - Construction engineers are promising that lessons learned when a tornado destroyed St. John's hospital in Joplin will make the new hospital stronger and safer.

  St. John's Regional Medical Center was demolished by the May 22, 2011 tornado. Six people inside the hospital died.

  Steve Meuschke is project manager of construction for the new hospital, to be called Mercy Hospital Joplin.

  He says power supplies will be more reliable at the new hospital. Flying debris knocked out power at St. John's, which shut off ventilators to five patients, who all died.

 Meuschke says the central utility plant will be away from the hospital and have a hardened exterior. And a backup power source will be built.

  And The Joplin Globe reports two of the new hospital's floors will be underground.