On May 22nd, 2011, a line of severe weather swept across the Midwest. This line of storms produced one of the most devastating tornadoes in Americann history. The E-5 tornado hit Joplin, Missouri around 6 P.M. and resulted in 161 casualties. Lasting roughly 40 minutes, the Joplin tornado and its destruction will never be forgotten.

The path of destruction was over a mile wide.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers/Wikimedia
Entire subdivisions were completely leveled. Many of the newer homes, built after the 2000's, did not have basements.
Bob Webster/Flicker
The 200 MPH winds turned debris into deadly projectiles. These trees were left standing outside of Joplin High School, which was completely destroyed.
DVIDSHUB/Flickr
Even brick homes couldn't stand up to the forceful winds from the E-5 tornado.
State Farm/Flickr
Homes that were spared from the direct line of the funnel still suffered extensive damage.
The DLC/Flickr
Trees all throughout the city were stripped of bark, branches, and leaves.
KMOUnews/Flickr
The power of the tornado's winds were unimaginable. This large industrial truck was wrapped completely around the trunk of this tree.
DVIDSHUB/Flickr
Debris was scattered for miles, residents and volunteers from across the country began to sift through anything that remained.
Meagan/Flickr

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Many of Joplin's business were completely destroyed as well. City officials reported that 20% of the town was completely destroyed.
SIVWorld/Flickr
Many agencies sent volunteers and workers to help residents, assist in cleanup, and to rebuild. Once streets were cleared, the task of collecting and disposing of debris lasted for months.
Kansas City District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers/Flickr
This photo from the Fourth of July shows ruble still present in the background a month and a half later.
Kansas City District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers/Flickr
Those who survived the deadly and devastating tornado found hope within the community. Residents banned together to rebuild the town they loved.
KMOUnews/Flickr
President Obama came to assess the damage and give hope and reassurance to residents.
Official White House Photo/Wikimedia
The Army Corps of Engineers worked in Joplin for years to help rebuild the city. 2.98 billion dollars of damage was reported from the E-5 tornado.
Kansas City District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers/Flickr
The Joplin tornado received national coverage. A year later, during the city's Walk for Hope, national news outlets returned to cover the story of recovery and triumph in a town that suffered so deeply.
Godzillafirebox/Flickr
This weekend, the city will hold the annual Joplin Memorial Run in honor of all who lost their lives six years ago.
Joplin Memorial Run/Facebook

The resilience of the residents of Joplin is inspiring and those who lost their lives will always be remembered.

Were you affected by the Joplin tornado? Did you go to Joplin to volunteer during the emergency or after during clean-up and rebuilding? Share your memories of that day and the aftermath in the comments.

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