The EF5 tornado that hit Joplin, Missouri on May 22, 2011 killed 158 people, injured over 1,100, and destroyed approximately 7,000 homes, or about 30% of Joplin. Damage totaled $2.8 billion, more than 20 times the city's annual budget. Large amounts of federal and state aid are being delivered, as well as massive payouts from insurance companies. People are already rebuilding, but hundreds if not thousands will likely move away for good.
The Joplin tornado was one of 14 U.S. natural disasters in 2011 (all of them weather related) to cost more than $1 billion dollars, making for an especially destructive year for weather.
The Joplin, Missouri tornado occurred on May 22, 2011.
The Joplin, Missouri tornado occurred on May 22, 2011.
The Joplin tornado occurred on the afternoon of May 22, 2011.
The Joplin, Missouri tornado struck on Sunday May 22, 2011.
The Joplin tornado struck on Sunday, May 22, 2011.
The Joplin, Missouri EF5 tornado struck on Sunday, May 22, 2011.
No tornado hit Joplin, Missouri in 2012. However, Joplin was devastated by an EF5 tornado on May 22, 2011. That tornado directly killed 158 people, the deadliest to hit the U.S. since 1947. Three or four other people died due to indirect effects.
The Joplin, Missouri tornado of 2011 had a damage path of 22 miles.
The Joplin, Missouri tornado of May 22, 2011 lasted 38 minutes.
Tornadoes do not get names like hurricanes do. They are usually just referred to by where they hit. So the tornado that devastated Joplin, Missouri in 2011 is called the Joplin tornado.
Mike Woolston was the mayor of Joplin, Missouri when the 2011 tornado hit and still is today.
The Joplin, Missouri tornado of 2011 injured over 1,100 people.