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:
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