Devastating tornado strikes Joplin, Missouri

[Joplinmet]

Thanks for sharing your story of that horrible day.

It sounds like you did everything humanly possible, and I have no doubt that your efforts saved many lives.

Thanks so much.

[MJW155]

Thanks so much.

As others have said, you did a great job. There's only so much you can do when an EF-5 hits.

How far do you live from the path?

[Joplinmet]

I have talked with Springfield NWS numerous times and did some walking through the damage path with them. The impression I got from them is that this is a solid EF-5. The winds probably varied a bit with in the tornado. I have walked every stretch of this damage path and I would say that parts of the it were strong EF-4 to low EF-5. Then there are segments of strong EF-5 that probably had winds at 250mph. If you walk every inch of the path you can see the parts that were just a hair stronger. So I believe that 70% of the path was probably 200-210mph winds. But there are segments of probably 225-250mph winds. Also remember this when you talk about St. Johns. This is a huge building that actually got shifted off of its foundation a bit. And St. Johns was on the edge of the tornado and didn't take the strongest winds. Also when it hit Rangeline (Home Depot, Walmart, Acadamy Sports) it was a hair weaker. Probably winds around 200 mph. If you walk that path numerous times you can see the wind varying in spots. I think that is why there is some confusion on this. The bottom line is this is the most deadliest tornado in modern history. You have to go back to the Tri-State tornado for more deaths. That tornado spanded over 200 miles on the ground. The Joplin tornado did all of this in a 6 mile stretch. Also the Tri-State tornado was prior to tornado warnings.

[Joplinmet]

As others have said, you did a great job. There's only so much you can do when an EF-5 hits.

How far do you live from the path?

I live in the northern metro area of Joplin. The metro is actually over a 250,000 people. Joplin is a very spread out city and much bigger than what most people think it is. And the city is booming and growing fast, or was booming. But it will come back stronger than ever. I live probably 10 miles north of the tornado path itself. My wife said at our house we just had large hail and very heavy rains. My wind gauge at home was clocking 80 mph winds in the severe thunderstorm part of that cell.

[JoMo]

It's extremely hot out there. I hope the volunteers who aren't from the area and the volunteers in general realize just how hot and humid it is outside. It would be horrible if people had heat strokes. It's 91 outside right now at 1:30 PM, with a heat index of 97.

[Memphis Weather]

I have talked with Springfield NWS numerous times and did some walking through the damage path with them. The impression I got from them is that this is a solid EF-5. The winds probably varied a bit with in the tornado. I have walked every stretch of this damage path and I would say that parts of the it were strong EF-4 to low EF-5. Then there are segments of strong EF-5 that probably had winds at 250mph. If you walk every inch of the path you can see the parts that were just a hair stronger. So I believe that 70% of the path was probably 200-210mph winds. But there are segments of probably 225-250mph winds. Also remember this when you talk about St. Johns. This is a huge building that actually got shifted off of its foundation a bit. And St. Johns was on the edge of the tornado and didn't take the strongest winds. Also when it hit Rangeline (Home Depot, Walmart, Acadamy Sports) it was a hair weaker. Probably winds around 200 mph. If you walk that path numerous times you can see the wind varying in spots. I think that is why there is some confusion on this. The bottom line is this is the most deadliest tornado in modern history. You have to go back to the Tri-State tornado for more deaths. That tornado spanded over 200 miles on the ground. The Joplin tornado did all of this in a 6 mile stretch. Also the Tri-State tornado was prior to tornado warnings.

Thanks for some great clarification there! Seems that perhaps the 225-250 estimate is still valid then. Either way...no matter the exact speeds...its just a tragic and heartbreaking sight...and the stories of you...JoMo and others continue to be incredible. The fact remains as you say that this is the deadliest tornado of the modern era and that's the most important thing to remember in terms of historical perspective.

[gymengineer]

Weird-- I'm almost disappointed with that assessment! We were all expecting this one to break some kind of record in terms of estimated wind speed.

Well, the locations that carry the "low-end" descriptor were never part of the most intense damage region from the original detailed survey, when the tornado was still rated a preliminary EF4. The quotes from the article also imply that more intense damage was to the east of the hospital area. I'd like to see the whole report, which is not up yet on the Springfield office website. I guess the newspaper got to see a draft version?

[catoctin wx]

I have talked with Springfield NWS numerous times and did some walking through the damage path with them. The impression I got from them is that this is a solid EF-5. The winds probably varied a bit with in the tornado. I have walked every stretch of this damage path and I would say that parts of the it were strong EF-4 to low EF-5. Then there are segments of strong EF-5 that probably had winds at 250mph. If you walk every inch of the path you can see the parts that were just a hair stronger. So I believe that 70% of the path was probably 200-210mph winds. But there are segments of probably 225-250mph winds. Also remember this when you talk about St. Johns. This is a huge building that actually got shifted off of its foundation a bit. And St. Johns was on the edge of the tornado and didn't take the strongest winds. Also when it hit Rangeline (Home Depot, Walmart, Acadamy Sports) it was a hair weaker. Probably winds around 200 mph. If you walk that path numerous times you can see the wind varying in spots. I think that is why there is some confusion on this. The bottom line is this is the most deadliest tornado in modern history. You have to go back to the Tri-State tornado for more deaths. That tornado spanded over 200 miles on the ground. The Joplin tornado did all of this in a 6 mile stretch. Also the Tri-State tornado was prior to tornado warnings.

interesting discussion, especially for those of us who have never witnessed this kind of damage. In understand if you don't want to answer, but do you think the NWS will be putting those higher estimates into a survey report? Or do you think they will likely just be sticking with 200+ mph?

[JoMo]

I have talked with Springfield NWS numerous times and did some walking through the damage path with them. The impression I got from them is that this is a solid EF-5. The winds probably varied a bit with in the tornado. I have walked every stretch of this damage path and I would say that parts of the it were strong EF-4 to low EF-5. Then there are segments of strong EF-5 that probably had winds at 250mph. If you walk every inch of the path you can see the parts that were just a hair stronger. So I believe that 70% of the path was probably 200-210mph winds. But there are segments of probably 225-250mph winds. Also remember this when you talk about St. Johns. This is a huge building that actually got shifted off of its foundation a bit. And St. Johns was on the edge of the tornado and didn't take the strongest winds. Also when it hit Rangeline (Home Depot, Walmart, Acadamy Sports) it was a hair weaker. Probably winds around 200 mph. If you walk that path numerous times you can see the wind varying in spots. I think that is why there is some confusion on this. The bottom line is this is the most deadliest tornado in modern history. You have to go back to the Tri-State tornado for more deaths. That tornado spanded over 200 miles on the ground. The Joplin tornado did all of this in a 6 mile stretch. Also the Tri-State tornado was prior to tornado warnings.

Where would you say the 250 MPH winds were? I know the neighborhood that was around JHS is a strong candidate for 'higher end' EF-5 winds, with Franklin Tech being destroyed and the surrounding neighborhood being pretty much leveled as well as Dillons being destroyed and Hampshire Terrace apartments. Greenbriar took a really big hit and those apartments over there and St. Mary's church, so I'd say it was an EF-5 there as well. It's pretty weird over there by the railroad bridge at 25th and Connecticut or so. On one side of it, not much damage at all, but as soon as you go under it, it's a disaster on the other side.

[tornadotony]

I have talked with Springfield NWS numerous times and did some walking through the damage path with them. The impression I got from them is that this is a solid EF-5. The winds probably varied a bit with in the tornado. I have walked every stretch of this damage path and I would say that parts of the it were strong EF-4 to low EF-5. Then there are segments of strong EF-5 that probably had winds at 250mph. If you walk every inch of the path you can see the parts that were just a hair stronger. So I believe that 70% of the path was probably 200-210mph winds. But there are segments of probably 225-250mph winds. Also remember this when you talk about St. Johns. This is a huge building that actually got shifted off of its foundation a bit. And St. Johns was on the edge of the tornado and didn't take the strongest winds. Also when it hit Rangeline (Home Depot, Walmart, Acadamy Sports) it was a hair weaker. Probably winds around 200 mph. If you walk that path numerous times you can see the wind varying in spots. I think that is why there is some confusion on this. The bottom line is this is the most deadliest tornado in modern history. You have to go back to the Tri-State tornado for more deaths. That tornado spanded over 200 miles on the ground. The Joplin tornado did all of this in a 6 mile stretch. Also the Tri-State tornado was prior to tornado warnings.

Just curious regarding the shifting of St. John's...was that the whole building, the big tower, or some other part of it? Anyway you slice it it's impressive...just curious. Also, thanks for sharing your story. I can't imagine what that must have been like to cover that.

[Joplinmet]

interesting discussion, especially for those of us who have never witnessed this kind of damage. In understand if you don't want to answer, but do you think the NWS will be putting those higher estimates into a survey report? Or do you think they will likely just be sticking with 200+ mph?

I don't know, that is a good question. I will have to ask them about that.

[Joplinmet]

Where would you say the 250 MPH winds were? I know the neighborhood that was around JHS is a strong candidate for 'higher end' EF-5 winds, with Franklin Tech being destroyed and the surrounding neighborhood being pretty much leveled as well as Dillons being destroyed and Hampshire Terrace apartments. Greenbriar took a really big hit and those apartments over there and St. Mary's church, so I'd say it was an EF-5 there as well. It's pretty weird over there by the railroad bridge at 25th and Connecticut or so. On one side of it, not much damage at all, but as soon as you go under it, it's a disaster on the other side.

JoMo, that is were I see the worst as well.

[Joplinmet]

Just curious regarding the shifting of St. John's...was that the whole building, the big tower, or some other part of it? Anyway you slice it it's impressive...just curious. Also, thanks for sharing your story. I can't imagine what that must have been like to cover that.

I am not sure how much it shifted. Late last week they brought in a crew to look at the structure of the building to see if it could ever be used again. That is when we were told that it actually shifted on the foundation, but that is all I know.

[aslkahuna]

I saw a figure of 4 inches. IIRC, this is the second major high rise hit by an EF-5 in the past 40 or so years. The first was the Great Plains Life Insurance building in Lubbock TX on May 11,1970. That building was actually twisted by the impact of the tornado.

Steve

[JoMo]

I had a chance to talk with my ex-gf again who lived over by Franklin Tech and I got more information from her. After I saw what was left of the house first hand last week, I don't know how her husband, step-daughter and her survived. The center of the tornado passed very near them based on surveys and the description about the fence posts being moved in different directions on the JHS baseball field.

She said she thought this would be just like any of the numerous tornado warnings that happen every year. They took shelter in an interior bathroom that is basically in the center of the house. She wanted to take her bird out of the cage and have it sit on her finger in the bathroom while they waited for the tornado warning to be over but her step-daughter hated the bird (as did I) and said she wouldn't go in there if the bird wasn't in it's cage. That probably saved the birds life as it survived. She had just called her mom and her phone was still in her hand. She suffered a broken finger when something hit her hand and knocked the phone out of her hand. She said it didn't really sound like a freight train, it sounded like just wind and a growling/roar type sound. She couldn't really describe it. She also suffered a laceration or something to her head, that now has e-coli in the wound. After the tornado had moved through, they started walking towards the hospital. They were all barefoot. They found someone with a van and got in the van but they didn't think that person was coming back or something so they got out and started walking towards the hospital again when someone passed by and took them to to the hospital.

She's getting a new car from somewhere in Arkansas because her car was totaled. As they were test driving cars the other day and stopped somewhere, someone rear-ended them in the car they were test driving. The insurance company has set them up with another house and are going to furnish it for 2 years.

EDIT: I forgot to add that when I asked if they had to dig themselves out she said no, they were already outside. It had swept all the debris off of them.

EDIT2: At least 5 of her neighbors were not so lucky.

[JoMo]

This blog has the garden hose through a tree picture.

http://bus-plunge.blogspot.com/2011/06/tornado-photo-garden-hose-in-tree.html

[ontario squalls]

This blog has the garden hose through a tree picture.

http://bus-plunge.bl...se-in-tree.html

In this pic it looks more like the tree grew around the hose. The hose had been there for years.

http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-616174

[SmokeEater]

In this pic it looks more like the tree grew around the hose. The hose had been there for years.

http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-616174

I can almost guarantee that tree did not grow around that hose. That hose would have had to have been there for many years. And it sure wouldn't look in that good of shape. That hose is not very old at all. It would be beyond dryrotted and such. And all likelyhood, that part of the tree was a good ways up the tree, not on the ground.

[wxmx]

It looks like the branch partially detached from the tree because of the action of the wind, the hose blew in and then the branch snapped back

[Calderon]

I'm having a hard time believing that hose pic. Being propelled at such a high velocity, one would expect it to look ragged or torn from going into a tree and it just doesn't seem to be at all. Not to mention I have a hard time believing a hose could be strung out perfectly to drive straight into a hardwood tree's trunk.

[Master of Disaster]

I'm having a hard time believing that hose pic. Being propelled at such a high velocity, one would expect it to look ragged or torn from going into a tree and it just doesn't seem to be at all. Not to mention I have a hard time believing a hose could be strung out perfectly to drive straight into a hardwood tree's trunk.

I agree, the tornado didn't do that. Kind of reminds me of that curb pic, which I doubted the first second I saw it. This kind of looks like a section of tree that was higher up and someone ran a hose across a limb to avoid it crossing a walkway. Then the hose grew into the tree. Who knows, but one thing is certain, and its that a tornado isnt going to pile drive a rubber garden hose into a tree leaving several feet out the other side. The fact that the tree hasnt been debarked should tell most of us that this is fake.

[Kennethb]

It appears to me that this is a young tree/branch. Younger trees grow faster and more vigorously than when they are older. The hose may have been used to support the tree/branch and the tree grew quickly around the hose.

[eekuasepinniW]

lol... that hose wouldn't have gone through the tree unless fired out of the large hadron collider. I've seen more than enough ropes, vines and other objects embedded in trees to know what it looks like. The bark is unblemished and the hose is pinched tight... it's probably been there for many years.

The rope I tied to a small maple tree to hang a bird feeder way back in middle school is now fully engulfed and up probably 30 feet.

[MJW155]

The picture is hilarious. Obviously this is a case for the Mythbusters to solve.

[Superstorm93]

http://www.riverside...lor-passes-away

Police officer that was struck by lightning on May 23rd while helping in Joplin died this morning.

That's horrible.

Here's the LSR from a few minutes after it happened:

[JoMo]

Interesting article about the guy that filmed the video of the tornado, Jeff Piotrowski. Also what he did as a first responder on the scene.

"Using an Internet card on his laptop, he was finally able to get a call through to his friend Steve Piltz, head meteorologist and director of the National Weather Service station in Tulsa.

Steve answered.

“We are in a state of emergency, Steve. Joplin needs help. A massive tornado, at least an EF-4, maybe an EF-5 touched down here. Massive damage, massive injuries. Need ambulances. Can Oklahoma send any? Can you send 100 of them?”

Piltz looked at the radar and saw the debris cloud. “Oh my God,” he said. The debris clouds on the radar image were enormous.

“You got it Jeff. I’m on it,” Piltz replied.

Piltz sent the storm chaser report immediately. Within 15 minutes of the call, Task Force I Search and Rescue teams from both Oklahoma and Arkansas were dispatched and on their way to Joplin.

Jeff could breathe again, and stop counting. Help was coming, more was on the way."

http://www.joplinglo...hed-storm-build

[blackjack123]

Interesting article about the guy that filmed the video of the tornado, Jeff Piotrowski. Also what he did as a first responder on the scene.

"Using an Internet card on his laptop, he was finally able to get a call through to his friend Steve Piltz, head meteorologist and director of the National Weather Service station in Tulsa.

Steve answered.

“We are in a state of emergency, Steve. Joplin needs help. A massive tornado, at least an EF-4, maybe an EF-5 touched down here. Massive damage, massive injuries. Need ambulances. Can Oklahoma send any? Can you send 100 of them?”

Piltz looked at the radar and saw the debris cloud. “Oh my God,” he said. The debris clouds on the radar image were enormous.

“You got it Jeff. I’m on it,” Piltz replied.

Piltz sent the storm chaser report immediately. Within 15 minutes of the call, Task Force I Search and Rescue teams from both Oklahoma and Arkansas were dispatched and on their way to Joplin.

Jeff could breathe again, and stop counting. Help was coming, more was on the way."

http://www.joplinglo...hed-storm-build

I personally met Jeff a few years ago when storm chasing with a few other guys. He is a really nice guy but he is way out there when it comes to chasing tornadoes.

[Joplinmet]

Ok so I saw the tree with the hose in person today. It is for real. You can tell how the hose is twisted and and also squezzed at the edge of the tree on both sides. I didn't believe it either, until I saw it in person and pulled on the hose. But it does look to be in the weak part of the tree.

[thewxmann]

Don't know if this has been posted yet, but the damage path of the tornado has been extended to 22.1 miles.

[HurricaneJosh]

Don't know if this has been posted yet, but the damage path of the tornado has been extended to 22.1 miles.

OK, so not nearly as short as we all first thought. Wasn't the initial estimate like 4 mi or something like that? We all couldn't believe such a strong tornado could be so short-lived. 22 mi makes a lot more sense.

Also, does anyone have a clear idea of the circulation's translational speed as it passed through Joplin? I had thought it was very fast-- that it barreled through at well over 40 mph-- but the big article posted above (several pages back) said it was more like 10 mph. Any thoughts, anyone?