Joplin tornado

The Joplin tornado was an EF5 tornado that struck Joplin, Missouri, on May 22, 2011.

The Joplin tornado was an EF5 tornado that struck Joplin, Missouri, on May 22, 2011. It caused catastrophic damage, killing 158 people directly and injuring more than 1,000, and became the costliest single tornado in U.S. history. It is widely described as the deadliest tornado in Missouri history.

Tornado event

The Joplin tornado formed on May 22, 2011, during a severe storm outbreak, and struck Joplin in the late afternoon. It was rated EF5, the highest category on the Enhanced Fujita scale. The tornado moved across the city, leaving a long path of severe destruction and was one of the most intense and deadly tornadoes ever recorded in the United States.

Damage and casualties

The tornado caused massive losses, destroying or damaging thousands of homes and businesses, including major infrastructure and one of the city's hospitals. Estimated damage was roughly US$2.8 billion. Sources report 158 direct deaths, more than 1,000 injuries, and some additional indirect fatalities.

Historical significance

The Joplin tornado is remembered as the deadliest tornado in Missouri and the deadliest single U.S. tornado since modern record-keeping began in 1950, when comparing direct fatalities. It also set the record for the costliest tornado in the United States.

Recovery and legacy

The disaster prompted major rebuilding efforts, a review of emergency response procedures, and later studies of tornado preparedness and urban resilience. It remains a major reference point in discussions of tornado risk in densely populated areas.