Joplin Tornado Event Summary

May 22, 2011
 
 
 
 
 

 Summary

A supercell thunderstorm tracked from extreme southeast Kansas into far southwest Missouri (NWS Springfield, County Warning Area) late Sunday afternoon and evening (May 22nd).  This storm produced an EF-5 tornado over Joplin, Missouri resulting in devastating damage. This storm generated additional tornadoes and wind damage along its path as it moved southeast across far southwest Missouri.  These storms also produced flash flooding across far southwest Missouri.  

Joplin Missouri EF-5 Tornado - May 22, 2011

A large portion of Joplin Missouri was devastated by an EF-5 (greater than 200 mph) tornado resulting in over 150 fatalities and over 1000 injured in the Joplin MO area.  The Joplin tornado is the deadliest since modern recordkeeping began in 1950 and is ranked 8th among the deadliest tornadoes in U.S. history.

The staff at NWS Springfield send our thoughts and prayers to all of those impacted by this tragedy.  A special thanks to emergency management, law enforcement, SKYWARN spotters and amateur radio,  first responders and all of those who have demonstrated extrodinary effort in protecting lives and responding to the needs of others in the aftermath of this tornado.

NOAA High Resolution Imagery of Joplin Tornado Damage


View Larger Map

The tornado surpassed the June 8, 1953, tornado that claimed 116 lives in Flint, Mich., as the deadliest single tornado to strike the U.S. since modern tornado recordkeeping began in 1950.  The deadliest tornado on record in the U.S. was on March 18, 1925. The “Tri-State Tornado” (MO, IL, IN) had a 291-mile path, was rated F5 based on a historic assessment, and caused 695 fatalities.

 The US tornado death toll through the month of May this year is the highest since modern record keeping began in 1950.  Also, 2011 is already ranked 8th among the deadliest tornado years in U.S. history. More information on 2011 Tornado statistics can be found at the following web site:  http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/2011_tornado_information.html

Warning Information:

The National Weather Service issued a Tornado Warning at 5:17 pm CDT, 5/22 which included the city of Joplin.  The tornado was reported to have developed directly over Joplin with the first report of the tornado in Joplin at  5:41 pm CDT, 5/22.  Lead time = 24 minutes.

 
Additional Tornado Tracks Surveyed:

Wentworth area  - EF-2

Galena area in Stone County into northwest Taney County Missouri - EF-2 

Southwest City in western McDonald County - EF-3

 

Event Tornado Track KML file to view in virtual globes such as Google Earth or Virtual Globe.

 

 
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