On May 22, 2011, Joplin, Missouri, was devastated by an EF-5 tornado—the most severe classification on the Enhanced Fujita scale. The tornado touched down at approximately 5:34 p.m. CDT, with winds exceeding 200 miles per hour, and remained on the ground for about 48 minutes, covering a path of 22 miles.
It caused catastrophic damage, destroying or damaging around 8,000 homes and buildings, including significant structures like St. John’s Regional Medical Center and Joplin High School.
The disaster resulted in the tragic loss of 161 lives and left over 1,150 individuals injured, making it the deadliest tornado in the U.S. in over 60 years. Economic losses were substantial, with damages estimated at $2.8 billion in 2011, equivalent to approximately $4.04 billion today, marking it as the costliest tornado in American history.
In the aftermath, the Joplin community demonstrated remarkable resilience, rebuilding homes, businesses, and infrastructure. A new Netflix documentary, “The Twister: Caught in the Storm,” released on March 19, 2025, revisits this tragic event through the eyes of survivors, offering personal accounts and never-before-seen footage.
For a more in-depth understanding, you might find this documentary insightful: