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USA Today
20-03-2025
- Climate
- USA Today
How many people died in the 2011 Joplin, Missouri tornado? Looking back at historic devastation
How many people died in the 2011 Joplin, Missouri tornado? Looking back at historic devastation Show Caption Hide Caption U.S. severe weather: Over 30 reported dead across the country Nearly three dozen people have reportedly died across the central and southern U.S. amid a massive storm that fueled violent tornadoes, high winds, dust storms and icy conditions. Fox - 26 Houston A deadly tornado that raged through Joplin, Missouri 14 years ago is once again in the spotlight after the release of a new Netflix documentary. "The Twister: Caught in the Storm" is a feature-length documentary that tells the story of the EF-5 tornado that swept through Joplin, a city of approximately 50,000 about 75 miles west of Springfield, in May 2011 through the lens of a group of young people whose high school graduation day was affected by the natural disaster. The film is directed by Alexandra Lacey, a UK-based filmmaker known for working on projects like "Tinder Swindler," "American Nightmare" and "Three Identical Strangers." "This catastrophic event ravaged Joplin, and yet its community overcame, rebuilt and became an enduring symbol of hope," the documentary's synopsis reads adding the film "features adrenaline-inducing real-life footage, filmed by people in Joplin, taking us into the eye of the storm." Here's what to know about one of the deadliest natural disasters to hit the United States. 'Twister: Caught in the Storm': Netflix doc to feature 2011 tornado in Joplin, Missouri When and where was the Joplin, Missouri tornado? The Joplin tornado hit land in the early evening of May 22, 2011 which started as a typical spring Ozarks day in which severe weather was looming, Steve Runnels, warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Springfield told USA TODAY on the tornado's 10-year anniversary. "We were predominantly looking at storms likely to produce very large hail," Runnels said. "Tornadoes were a possibility, but not one we were necessary keying in on." Late that afternoon, the NWS saw indication on the radar that debris had been thrown way up into the atmosphere − well above 10,000 feet, Runnels said. "That was the first time in my career up to that point that I had seen that (height)," he said. "We had seen it in other radars in other parts of the country, but it was the first time in southwest Missouri." The tornado touched down around 5:30 p.m. on Joplin's west side and moved east, destroying homes, businesses, and significantly damaging the city's medical center and Joplin High School over the course of approximately 48 minutes. Could it happen again? 100 years ago, USA's worst tornado killed nearly 700 people 'I saw complete devastation': 10-year anniversary of Joplin tornado How big was the 2011 Joplin tornado? What was its rating? The tornado's path on the ground was 22 miles long, with 13 miles of it cutting through Joplin's city limits, USA TODAY previously reported. At its peak, it was about three-fourths of a mile wide with winds hitting more than 200 mph. Runnels said the tornado, rated EF–5 on the Enhanced Fujita tornado intensity scale, was "moving anywhere from 15 to 30 miles per hour over a densely populated area." "To put that in context, it would have taken two minutes to pass over your house," he had said. How many people died in the 2011 Joplin tornado? The massive tornado killed 158 people, according to NOAA, and injured more than 1,000 people and displaced 9,200 after some 4,000 homes were damaged. While the National Weather Service's official count of "direct fatalities" was 158, there were additional indirect deaths that added up to or even beyond 162 deaths, Runnels explained. An NWS Central Region Service Assessment of the Joplin tornado found that the "majority of Joplin residents did not immediately take protective action upon receiving a first indication of risk (usually via the local siren system), regardless of the source of the warning," despite the region being prone to tornados. "Most first chose to further assess their risk by waiting for, actively seeking, and filtering additional information before taking protective actions," the report said, adding the reasons behind their actions were "quite varied, but largely depended on an individual's 'worldview' formed mostly by previous experience with severe weather." The report added that most Joplin residents did not take protective action until the threat was confirmed through either observing or hearing the tornado, "seeing or hearing confirmation, and urgency of the threat on radio or television, and/or hearing a second, non-routine siren alert." What is the biggest tornado ever recorded in the US? While the Joplin tornado was the deadliest tornado of 2011 and has become known as the deadliest tornado in Missouri history, it is ranked as the seventh deadliest tornado in U.S. history. The deadliest tornado, called the Tri-State Tornado, occurred a 100 years ago on March 18, 1925 and killed 695 people across the states of Missouri, Indiana and Illinois. However, the National Weather Service ranks the Joplin tornado as the deadliest since modern record-keeping began in 1950. Overall, 2011 was the fourth deadliest tornado year in U.S. history, according to NWS. The Joplin tornado was also the costliest tornado on record, with losses approaching $3 billion, a report by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) said. Tornado season is ramping up: Track severe weather with charts and maps Contributing: Greta Cross, USA TODAY; Jackie Rehwald, Springfield News-Leader Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@ and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
Express Tribune
19-03-2025
- Climate
- Express Tribune
Twister: Caught in the Storm brings Joplin tornado's devastation and survival stories to Netflix
Netflix's latest documentary, The Twister: Caught in the Storm, provides a harrowing look at the EF-5 tornado that devastated Joplin, Missouri, on May 22, 2011. Directed by Alexandra Lacey, known for acclaimed projects such as Tinder Swindler and Three Identical Strangers, the film offers a gripping recounting of the disaster that claimed 161 lives and left over 1,000 injured. The documentary follows a group of young survivors whose high school graduation day turned into a nightmare. With wind speeds exceeding 200 miles per hour, the tornado cut a destructive path through 13 miles of the city, leaving behind widespread devastation. The Twister features real-life footage captured by Joplin residents, immersing viewers in the storm's raw and terrifying power. According to the film's synopsis, 'This catastrophic event ravaged Joplin, yet its community overcame, rebuilt, and became an enduring symbol of hope.' The documentary highlights deeply personal accounts, including a high school football captain who aided in rescue efforts, a young employee who watched his workplace collapse, and storm chasers who barely escaped with their lives. The documentary's release coincides with recent deadly tornado outbreaks across the Midwest and South, adding to its timely significance. The Twister: Caught in the Storm will be available on Netflix starting March 19, 2025, at 2 a.m. CST. A Netflix subscription is required, with plans starting at $7.99 per month. Through firsthand testimonies and immersive footage, The Twister serves as both a chilling reminder of nature's power and a testament to human resilience in the face of disaster.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
'Twister: Caught in the Storm': Netflix doc to feature 2011 tornado in Joplin, Missouri
The tornado that raged through Joplin, Missouri 14 years ago is the subject of a new Netflix documentary. "The Twister: Caught in the Storm" is a feature-length documentary that tells the story of the EF-5 tornado that swept through Joplin, Missouri on May 22, 2011. The film focuses on a group of young people from the area whose high school graduation day was affected by the tornado. Ranked as the seventh deadliest tornado in U.S. history, the Joplin tornado killed 161 people and left another 1,000 injured. The tornado wrecked through 13 miles of the city, with wind speeds over 200 miles per hour. "This catastrophic event ravaged Joplin, and yet its community overcame, rebuilt and became an enduring symbol of hope. The film features adrenaline-inducing real-life footage, filmed by people in Joplin, taking us into the eye of the storm," the documentary's synopsis reads. "The Twister: Caught in the Storm" is directed by Alexandra Lacey, a UK-based filmmaker known for working on projects like "Tinder Swindler," "American Nightmare" and "Three Identical Strangers." She's also directed television series "The Fake Sheikh," "Welcome to Murdertown" and "Mansion: The Lost Tapes." The documentary's release happens to follow the mass destruction of several tornados that raged through the Midwest and South over the weekend. At least 37 people had been reported dead in Kansas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas, Alabama and Missouri, as of Monday morning. As the Netflix documentary's premiere date nears, here's what to know about "The Twister: Caught in the Storm." Netflix's new documentary, "The Twister: Caught in the Storm" will be available to watch on Netflix at 2 a.m. CST on Wednesday, March 19. Yes, viewers need a Netflix subscription to watch "The Twister: Caught in the Storm." Here is more information about Netflix's subscription plans: Standard with ads: $7.99 per month Standard without ads: $17.99 per month Premium: $24.99 per month Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email her at gcross@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Twister: Caught in the Storm': How to watch Netflix documentary
USA Today
17-03-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
'Twister: Caught in the Storm': Netflix doc to feature 2011 tornado in Joplin, Missouri
'Twister: Caught in the Storm': Netflix doc to feature 2011 tornado in Joplin, Missouri The documentary is directed by Alexandra Lacey, who worked on projects like "Tinder Swindler" and "Three Identical Strangers." Show Caption Hide Caption U.S. severe weather: Over 30 reported dead across the country Nearly three dozen people have reportedly died across the central and southern U.S. amid a massive storm that fueled violent tornadoes, high winds, dust storms and icy conditions. Fox - 26 Houston The tornado that raged through Joplin, Missouri 14 years ago is the subject of a new Netflix documentary. "The Twister: Caught in the Storm" is a feature-length documentary that tells the story of the EF-5 tornado that swept through Joplin, Missouri on May 22, 2011. The film focuses on a group of young people from the area whose high school graduation day was affected by the tornado. Ranked as the seventh deadliest tornado in U.S. history, the Joplin tornado killed 161 people and left another 1,000 injured. The tornado wrecked through 13 miles of the city, with wind speeds over 200 miles per hour. "This catastrophic event ravaged Joplin, and yet its community overcame, rebuilt and became an enduring symbol of hope. The film features adrenaline-inducing real-life footage, filmed by people in Joplin, taking us into the eye of the storm," the documentary's synopsis reads. "The Twister: Caught in the Storm" is directed by Alexandra Lacey, a UK-based filmmaker known for working on projects like "Tinder Swindler," "American Nightmare" and "Three Identical Strangers." She's also directed television series "The Fake Sheikh," "Welcome to Murdertown" and "Mansion: The Lost Tapes." The documentary's release happens to follow the mass destruction of several tornados that raged through the Midwest and South over the weekend. At least 37 people had been reported dead in Kansas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas, Alabama and Missouri, as of Monday morning. As the Netflix documentary's premiere date nears, here's what to know about "The Twister: Caught in the Storm." How to watch 'The Twister: Caught in the Storm' Netflix's new documentary, "The Twister: Caught in the Storm" will be available to watch on Netflix at 2 a.m. CST on Wednesday, March 19. Do you need a Netflix subscription to watch 'The Twister: Caught in the Storm'? Yes, viewers need a Netflix subscription to watch "The Twister: Caught in the Storm." Here is more information about Netflix's subscription plans: Standard with ads: $7.99 per month $7.99 per month Standard without ads: $17.99 per month $17.99 per month Premium: $24.99 per month Watch the trailer for 'The Twister: Caught in the Storm' Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email her at gcross@
