NWS Upgrades Joplin, MO Tornado to EF-5, Aerial Tour of Damage

Posted on May 24, 2011

The National Weather Service reports that a new storm survey found that the devastating Joplin, MO tornado on May 22 was an EF-5 with winds over 200 miles per hour. The storm killed at least 122 people and injured 750 or more.

*** 122 FATAL, 750 INJ *** A NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE STORM SURVEY REVEALED THAT AN EF-5 TORNADO IMPACTED A LARGE PORTION OF THE CITY OF JOPLIN. WIND SPEEDS WERE ESTIMATED IN EXCESS OF 200 MPH. THE PATH WIDTH WAS ESTIMATED AT THREE QUARTERS OF A MILE WIDE.

The News Leader reports that crews are still searching for survivors.

This aerial footage of the damage to Joplin, shot by helicopter, shows the extent of the devastation. Take a look:

WEATHER
TORNADOES