Interstate 44 is closed due to overturned tractor trailers. Communications are difficult with power lines and phone lines down from the storm.

A first report of confirmed dead comes in, estimated at 24 people. It left an estimated 161 people dead and damaged some 8,000 structures.ħ:30 p.m. The Butterfly Memorial in Cunningham Park and Sculpture Park where the former Mercy Hospital once stood honor the victims who lost their lives that day. The EF-5 Joplin tornado had winds in excess of 200 mph, was nearly a mile wide, and had a track lasting six miles. 10 years ago, an EF-5 tornado ripped through Joplin, Missouri killing over 160 people. Approximate initial Tornado touchdown is about half a mile southwest of JJ Highway and Newton Road (southwest of Joplin City limits).ĥ:41 p.m. The local storm report stated: “NUMEROUS REPORTS OF TORNADO ON THE GROUND WEST OF JOPLIN AND POWER FLASHES.” The policy problem is evident in looking at tornado occurrences from 2011, in both Joplin, Missouri and Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Over Joplin, Missouri, the supercell spawned an EF-5 tornado with winds higher than 200 miles (300 kilometers) per hour. The NWS Springfield, Mo., Weather Forecast Office issued a tornado warning with 17 minutes of lead time for touchdown and 19 minutes lead time before the tornado entered Joplin.ĥ:34 p.m. TIMELINE (Source: National Weather Service)ĥ:11 p.m. Initial 3 minute siren alert sounded for Jasper County and Joplin.ĥ:17 p.m. It had also issued a tornado watch more than four hours in advance of the tornado touching down. The National Weather Service (NWS) Storm Prediction Center highlighted southwest Missouri for the potential for severe weather several days prior to Sunday's storm.

'The Joplin tornado is the deadliest single tornado since modern recordkeeping began in 1950 and is ranked as the 7th deadliest in U.S.

As the community marks the progress five year's later, here is a look back at how the storm played out. physically and took an unimaginable emotional toll on its people.

2011 joplin missouri tornado