2011 Joplin tornado

2011 Joplin tornado was a devastating EF5 tornado that occurred on May 22, 2011, in Joplin, Missouri, affecting St. John's Regional Medical Center, Missouri Southern State University, and Joplin High School. The tornado was part of a larger tornado outbreak sequence that affected the Central United States, including Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, and Tennessee. The tornado caused widespread destruction, with entire neighborhoods and business districts being destroyed, including the Downtown Joplin area and Range Line Road. The tornado was also covered by CNN, Fox News, and The Weather Channel, with Anderson Cooper, Shepard Smith, and Jim Cantore reporting live from the scene.

Introduction

The 2011 Joplin tornado was a rare and destructive EF5 tornado that occurred on May 22, 2011, in Joplin, Missouri, affecting Jasper County, Missouri, and Newton County, Missouri. The tornado was part of a larger tornado outbreak sequence that affected the Central United States, including Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Wichita, Kansas, Little Rock, Arkansas, and Memphis, Tennessee. The tornado was covered by National Weather Service offices in Springfield, Missouri, Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Kansas City, Missouri, with Storm Prediction Center issuing a tornado watch for the area. The tornado was also reported by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and American Red Cross, with Barack Obama, Jay Nixon, and Sam Brownback responding to the disaster.

Meteorological history

The 2011 Joplin tornado developed from a supercell that formed in Oklahoma and moved northeast into Missouri, affecting Joplin, Missouri, and Carthage, Missouri. The tornado was fueled by a combination of moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and instability in the atmosphere, with wind shear and lift contributing to its development. The tornado was classified as an EF5 tornado by the National Weather Service office in Springfield, Missouri, with winds estimated at up to 200 mph and a path length of over 6 miles. The tornado was part of a larger tornado outbreak sequence that affected the Central United States, including Tulsa, Oklahoma, Wichita, Kansas, and St. Louis, Missouri, with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) monitoring the situation.

Impact

The 2011 Joplin tornado caused widespread destruction and loss of life, with entire neighborhoods and business districts being destroyed, including the Downtown Joplin area and Range Line Road. The tornado affected St. John's Regional Medical Center, Missouri Southern State University, and Joplin High School, with hospitals and emergency services being overwhelmed. The tornado also caused significant damage to infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and utilities, with Ameren and Empire District Electric Company working to restore power. The tornado was covered by media outlets such as CNN, Fox News, and The Weather Channel, with Anderson Cooper, Shepard Smith, and Jim Cantore reporting live from the scene, and Twitter and Facebook being used to coordinate relief efforts.

Aftermath

The 2011 Joplin tornado resulted in significant loss of life and property, with over 150 people killed and over 1,000 people injured. The tornado caused over $2.8 billion in damages, making it one of the costliest tornadoes in United States history, with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Small Business Administration (SBA) providing assistance. The tornado also had a significant impact on the economy of Joplin, Missouri, with many businesses being destroyed or displaced, including Walmart and Home Depot. The tornado was recognized by American Red Cross, Salvation Army, and United Way, with donations and volunteers pouring in from across the United States, including New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

Response and relief

The response to the 2011 Joplin tornado was led by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), with National Guard and American Red Cross providing support. The tornado was also responded to by local organizations, including Joplin School District and City of Joplin, with donations and volunteers pouring in from across the United States, including Houston, Texas, Denver, Colorado, and Minneapolis, Minnesota. The tornado was recognized by Barack Obama, Jay Nixon, and Sam Brownback, with Congress passing legislation to provide aid to the affected area, including Joplin, Missouri, and surrounding areas. The tornado was also covered by media outlets such as CNN, Fox News, and The Weather Channel, with Anderson Cooper, Shepard Smith, and Jim Cantore reporting live from the scene, and Twitter and Facebook being used to coordinate relief efforts, including #Joplin and @JoplinTornado. Category:Tornadoes in the United States